Dear Friends:
As president of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, it is my pleasure and privilege to serve in continuing a strong symphonic tradition in the Coulee Region. I believe the LSO provides an artistic gift to our patrons each year and brings classical music to thousands of children through our many educational programs. We are an important leader in the arts community of this region with a rich tradition. Hundreds of volunteers give of their time and talents each year to insure the success of this organization. The LSO is one of oldest orchestras in the Midwest, dating back 115 years. It was formed before the Minnesota Orchestra and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The last several years have been difficult times for many symphony orchestras and arts organizations, forcing some to close their doors. We are facing our own financial challenges. The fact is, we cannot continue to provide our concerts and programs from ticket sales alone, which account for only 32% of our revenue. Therefore, we are launching an endowment campaign to secure the future of the LSO. Most orchestras have endowment funds and now it is our time to do the same. A strong endowment is a necessity, not a luxury. Our campaign has a goal of two million dollars which will help us thrive for another 115 years. We are excited to announce that a sculpture commemorating the LSO and this campaign will be created by artist Elmer Petersen and placed in an area park. One of our board members, well known philanthropist, Richard Record, has commissioned the sculpture and will assume 100% of its cost as a gift to the LSO and the city. All donors to this campaign will be recognized as part of the sculpture installation. This sculpture will be a permanent commemoration of the LSO and our contributors for decades to come. My affiliation with this orchestra began in 1989, when I stepped onto the stage as a soloist, and it will continue long into the future. Join me in securing the future of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra and give generously to this campaign. We have a spirit in this part of the country that is unlike any other, and together we can make a difference! This endowment campaign marks a significant turning point in our future. Please consider being a partner in the LSO legacy. Please review the enclosed materials. We welcome your questions at any time. Most appreciatively,
David Reedy David Reedy LSO Board President
LA CROSSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: MAKING MUSIC IN THREE CENTURIES The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra made its debut in 1898 under the direction of Marcellus Greenwood. The formation of the orchestra had the support of the city’s three newspapers. “The entertainment to be given by the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra must be crowned with the most complete success... it will undoubtedly be supported by public spirit.” La Crosse businessmen and musicians established a $300 fund to buy musical instruments. After one of its first concerts, the La Crosse Morning Chronicle proclaimed the LSO was “one of the best and most meritorius musical undertakings La Crosse had ever known.” The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra blossomed, folded and reorganized seven more times, emerging after World War I and II and the Great Depression. There were many times the orchestra lacked financial support in the community, but individuals like Leigh Toland, John Coleman and Leigh Elder guided the LSO and kept the orchestra in the community spotlight. Since the beginning, finding money to keep the orchestra going was a never-ending task. The LSO was not alone; other orchestras had plenty of struggles. But finding funds was the difference between a viable orchestra and ceasing operations. Not too long ago, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the orchestra faced serious trying times again and was at risk of folding once again. But the organization looked hard at finances, established a workable budget and stayed afloat as the community rallied behind the orchestra. Each year the orchestra has pulled through by finding financial support and building audiences and a quality orchestra. The LSO can no longer operate a professional orchestra, just surviving year to year. That’s why the Board of Directors has established an endowment fund in 2012 to ensure the future success of the orchestra. Without an endowment fund, orchestra conductors will tell you that the future always will be uncertain. The LSO felt it was time for an endowment fund so its future would not be determined by the state of the economy. Today’s LSO is much more than concerts by a professional orchestra. It serves the community in so many ways with the Rising Stars concerto competition, concerts for young people, string scholarships and other events. The LSO has become perhaps more important than ever before in carrying out the classical music mission. Even back in 1916, The La Crosse Tribune wrote: “La Crosse needs this orchestra. Why should not everybody, musical or not, rally around its director and officers.” The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra has shown its perseverance, courage and determination to thrive and continue a musical tradition during the last 115 years. The LSO has proven one touring soprano, Luella Melius, wrong. After singing with the orchestra in 1928, she said: “La Crosse is really not on the map artistically... only a few here are interested enough to support good music. Without music in a community, there is something wrong.” Today, La Crosse is on that artistic map and the LSO is one of the most beloved and cherished arts organizations. There is nothing wrong with La Crosse and the LSO. An endowment fund is “a smart, necessary investment in the orchestra’s future,” according to David Reedy, president of the LSO Board of Directors. “We want to make sure we’re making music for another 100 years and beyond,” he said.
SCULPTURE DONOR
Richard Record, co-owner of Midwest Family Broadcasting who has been a regular donor to the LSO for 29 years, has commissioned a sculpture honoring the 115-year history of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra to kick off the organization’s endowment campaign. He is paying for La Crosse area sculptor, Elmer Petersen, to create a piece of work to recognize the symphony’s significant role in the community. “The sculpture is something visible and tangible, for people to connect with, and it’s a lasting tribute to honor the history of the symphony,” said Record, who is serving another term on the symphony’s board of directors and is an at-large member of the executive committee. “It’s a piece of art that I think will get people excited about the endowment fund and generate interest in the community,” he said. Record, also the main sponsor of the LSO’s Rising Stars Concerto Competition, said the commission allows him to combine his interest in classical music and visual arts. He is an avid art collector, and his artwork has been on loan and on display in the symphony office. Record is a big fan of Petersen’s sculptures. “I wanted Elmer to do it, and I had no requests or demands, just that it gives the feeling of the symphony,” he said. Record said sponsoring symphony activities helps keep the arts organization an important part of the community. “I get to work with a group of dedicated people who want the symphony to make great music, and the orchestra is doing a damn good job of it,” he said. “Now it’s time for all of us to step up to ensure the symphony’s future because it takes more than buying a ticket to keep the LSO going.”
THE SCULPTURE: SYMPHONIC JOY
Elmer Petersen is creating a sculpture to celebrate the joy and music-making of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. His artwork will allow people to experience a composition of music, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” as they would a representational painting. A colored glass filled panel sculpture will represent a musical score with thick, stain-glass notes of jewel quality that resemble church windows. The artwork is planned for an area park. “People will see what looks like a musical score made up of very rich, colorful shapes with the light shining through at different times,” Petersen said. “The sculpture would have its back to the afternoon sun. It would be a unique visual experience and an interesting place to contemplate, he said. “Nature interacts with the piece and the attributes of light enhance the feeling of being alone with nature,” Petersen said. LSO endowment campaign donors will be recognized in the sculpture.
THE SCULPTOR
Elmer Petersen is a well-known and respected sculptor from Galesville, Wis. In the La Crosse area, he has created “The La Crosse Players” on the plaza in front of the Radisson Hotel, “The Eagle” in Riverside Park, “The Family of Four” at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, “Women with Bird” at Viterbo University and others. Petersen, who taught art at Texas Lutheran College before coming to the La Crosse area in 1978, has been a full-time sculptor for more than 30 years. “I’m trying to create a special visual experience with my sculptures, some are more decorative, some are more expressive,” Petersen said.
Richard Record Philanthropist
Elmer Petersen Sculptor
Giving Levels $250,000 Leadership Circle $100,000 Conductor’s Circle $50,000 Concertmaster’s Circle $25,000 Principal’s Circle $10,000 Artist’s Circle $5,000 Patron’s Circle
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Charitable Gifting Options for Your Consideration Gifts of Cash
If you itemize, you can typically lower your income taxes by simply writing a check. Gifts of cash are deductible up to a maximum of 50% of your adjusted gross income.
Gifts of Securities
Publicly traded securities are the most common form of non-cash charitable gift assets. If you own highly appreciated securities, it may be better tax-wise to donate securities rather than cash. A gift of securities offers a two-fold tax savings. First, you avoid paying any long-term capital gains tax on the increase in value of the securities over the initial cost. Second, you receive an income tax charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the security at the time of the gift. The gifts of appreciated securities generally are deductible up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income. There are two ways to transfer securities, electronic transfer or personal delivery ofthe physical certificates.
Life Income Gifts
There is a special category of gifts known as “life-income” gifts. These gifts may provide you an immediate income tax deduction and may afford you many other benefits such as life income, future continued use ofthe gift property (residence or real estate) and avoidance of capital gains and estate taxes. The remainder interest passes to the charitable organization upon your death.
Charitable Gift Annuity
A charitable gift annuity is a popular form of life-income gift offering a fixed rate of return as a gift to the charitable organization during your lifetime. The remainder interest passes to your beneficiaries upon your death.
Charitable Bequests
While you’re considering your income tax savings, this may also be a good time to consider estate tax savings. The federal estate tax can take significant portions of one’s estate at the time of death. It pays to do some advance planning. The most common form of planned gift is made through a will, which is payable upon your death.
Life Insurance with Charitable Organizations
You can take out life insurance policies, pay premiums and choose the charitable organization as the beneficiary of the policy. There are a number of different ways to structure such giving strategies. The options discussed above can be quite technical. Accordingly, we recommend you consult with your tax and legal advisors to determine which options are the most suitable for your personal financial situation.
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Endowing Our Future La Crosse Symphony Orchestra Endowment Campaign
"Symphonic Joy" The LSO is asking you to fill out this pledge form to officially designate your gift
to the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra.
Name(s)_____________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip________________________________________________________ Phone (H)_ _________________________ (W)_____________________________ (Cell)_ ____________________ Email_____________________________________ We/I hereby pledge our/my gift in the amount of $__________________________ To be paid: (Please check one) q In____installments of $________________ over a period of 1-3 years in the month(s) of ______________________for a total of _________________________. q
In one lump sum of __________________on_______________ (month/day/year). Please contact me to discuss legacy planning.
q
The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra will send you an invoice reminder for each of the installments or on the date(s) you specify. Signature:___________________________________________________________ Date:_ ______________________________________________________________
PAYABLE TO: LA CROSSE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
201 Main Street, Suite 230 • La Crosse, WI 54601
Please print inscription below. Place one character per box provided. No more than 13 characters & spaces per line. Inscription Guidelines: Bricks will be inscribed as requested by donors and shall be limited to the name(s) of people (including those deceased, for example, in honor of..., or, in memory of...) families, businesses or organizations. Final approval of brick inscriptions will be made by the LSO Board of Directors.
Phone: 608-783-2121 • Fax: 608-783-3121 Email: accountant@lacrossesymphony.org
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