THOMAS DAUSGAARD, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Season Newsletter
YOUR IMPACT IN FOCUS THE MUSIC PLAYS ON BECAUSE OF YOU. Broadcast concerts continue to share comfort, joy and hope with our community. To unleash the power of music, bring people together and lift the human spirit. That is the mission of your Symphony. But what happens when our community can’t be together at Benaroya Hall to experience live performances? With the generous support of donors like you, the music still plays on at the Seattle Symphony. In mid-March, when faced with the cancellation of all public gatherings and the closure of Benaroya Hall in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the orchestra was among the first in the world to continue sharing our music through free online programming and rebroadcasts of previous live concerts. “As musicians, we unite in good times and bad to make music as a community — for our community,” remarked Associate Principal Trumpet Alexander White. “So, to our friends in Seattle and our friends around the world, here is our gift to you in the language we know best: music.” The Symphony’s broadcast concerts launched with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 led by Music Director Thomas Dausgaard. “Even though we can’t gather at Benaroya Hall, I’m so happy we’ll still be sharing musical moments together, whether you’re at home in Seattle or halfway across the world,” said Thomas. During the first weekend of programming more than 130,000 viewers joined us from all over the world. The outpouring of support from our community and the messages of hope, compassion and love we received during each of the broadcasts are deeply moving, and a testament to the power of music. In the weeks since that first broadcast the orchestra has shared music by Nielsen, Dvořák, Stravinsky and more. Each performance has been a source of strength, comfort and joy for people here in Seattle and around the world — all possible because of your generosity.
“The wonderful music of the Seattle Symphony brings beauty, inspiration and heart to this community. In troubled times, music can help us cope with complicated issues and emotions. Thank you for continuing to support the public. I hope we can all continue to support you.”
– Vanesa, first-time donor
And the music the orchestra has shared online has not been limited to the rebroadcasts of concerts. Musicians have shared daily musical greetings through Morning Notes and reimagined family programming for an online audience with Tiny Clips for Tiny Tots and Meet the Instrument. Together we can unleash the power of music despite a pandemic. From the musicians who found a new virtual stage to the thousands of caring audience members from around the world who showed their support, our music and our shared mission needs us all. Thank you for standing beside your Symphony.
End the season on a high note! Make your gift by August 31, 2020 and you’ll help ensure a bright future for the orchestra and live symphonic music in Seattle. seattlesymphony.org/donate | 206.215.4832
Seattle Symphony musicians Danielle Kuhlmann, Eric Jacobs and John Turman, with guest vocalist Alexandria Henderson, share Link Up online.
YOU HELP MUSICAL MENTORSHIP GO DIGITAL. Spring at the Seattle Symphony means the culmination of many of our education programs. Students and young artists gather with musicians, friends and family for concerts at Benaroya Hall to celebrate a season of learning together. The coronavirus pandemic cancelled all such gatherings this year, but through the creativity of Symphony musicians and staff — and with your generous support — our education programs went virtual to continue engaging and inspiring the next generation of artists and music lovers.
Link Up goes online to bring music-making home for students and families. Building on the 46-year history of the Symphony’s Arts in Education program, Link Up now serves 10,000 third- through fifth-grade students annually with in-classroom curriculum and six highly interactive performances at Benaroya Hall. These concerts are extraordinary opportunities for students to sing and play recorders or string instruments along with the orchestra from their seats. Powered by the desire of our musicians to maintain this connection with students while at home, the Symphony created an online Link Up concert, so students and families could participate in Link Up songs with Symphony musicians and special guest vocalist Alexandria Henderson. “Many of us in the orchestra would not be here were it not for school programs like Link Up. It’s such a tough time to be a kid — not getting to go to school, not getting to see friends,” says John Turman, Seattle Symphony Horn and education programs host. “I want to pay it forward and help create access to music in a way I never had.” Despite not being able to provide an in-person, interactive experience for students, the Symphony remains committed to making musical enrichment accessible for children. Your support makes this possible.
Young composers learn and collaborate in a virtual workshop. The Merriman Family Young Composers Workshop invites youth ages 18 and under to participate in a 12-week composition course that culminates with a concert of world premieres by the young composers, performed by Symphony musicians at Benaroya Hall. After in-person workshops were canceled, the Symphony successfully transitioned this year’s workshop to virtual meetings. The participants only missed one session and successfully completed all their pieces.
Many young composers participate in the program throughout high school. Among the four graduating seniors in this year’s workshop was Elise Winkler, who shared, “this has been a very challenging year. Even in light of all the chaos and uncertainty in the world right now, the Young Composers Workshop has been a beacon of hope. It has given me something to look forward to.” Collaboration is an important part of the workshop each year and was maintained despite physical distance. “Often times, music composition is a very individual experience; much of the process is done on your own,” says Elise. “The workshop adds a collaborative element to composition. It feels more like a community. It has been wonderful to work with other young composers, sharing our own challenges and experiences.” And Elise’s favorite memory from her time in the workshop? “My favorite memory is one of the sessions my first year. We went to the University of Washington to visit the Harry Partch Instrumentarium,” shares Elise. “I had never seen anything like it.” Your support of the Symphony’s education programs makes a real difference in the lives of young artists like Elise. In her own words. “I would not be the musician I am today without the Young Composers Workshop. Thank you!” Thank you for helping bring programs like Link Up and the Young Composers Workshop to life for students in our community, even in these uncertain times.
Young Composer Elise Winkler explores one of Harry Partch’s unique instruments during a workshop session in 2017.
WELCOMING YOU BACK TO BENAROYA HALL. Your health and safety are our top priority as we prepare for the return of live performances to Benaroya Hall. We look forward to the orchestra’s return to the stage and sharing live music with you once again, all carefully planned under Washington State’s phased reopening guidelines. The closure of Benaroya Hall and the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019–2020 season came less than a month after the announcement of the upcoming 2020–2021 season, Thomas’ second as Music Director. Thomas and the musicians are actively collaborating with the Symphony’s new Vice President of Artistic Planning, Raff Wilson, to deliver a season of music unleashed — encompassing Thomas’ original vision while adhering to the realities of a socially-distanced orchestra — that you’re sure to love! Thomas Dausgaard and the Seattle Symphony look forward to sharing live music with you again.
Michael Clark
Jonathan Green
A FOND FAREWELL. This season two longtime musicians are retiring from your Symphony. Percussionist Michael Clark celebrates 28 seasons with the orchestra and bassist Jonathan Green says goodbye after more than 22 years. Jonathan, also known to audiences as the host of the Symphony’s popular Untuxed concert series, shared a few thoughts about his time with the orchestra: “I live on Bainbridge Island and one night I saw a friend on the ferry. She was coming to the concert. I asked her why she had chosen that particular program. She told me that Dvořák’s New World Symphony had been her father’s favorite piece, and she came to hear it to honor and remember her father. For me, this was a profound insight. It helped me to understand the power of the music, and to realize why what we do is so meaningful to people. A special thanks to you for making it possible to put on concerts week after week. Your generosity has played a huge part in making my time playing music here so great.” Make a gift today in honor of Mike and Jon — or a special person in your life — at seattlesymphony.org/donate.
We will continue to offer options for streaming broadcasts online while working to implement a safe concert experience for live audiences as conditions permit. Thank you for your support during these uncertain times. The Symphony has been Seattle’s soundtrack since 1903, and we will continue to be for decades to come — because of you. Stay up-to-date on our latest plans for the 2020–2021 season at seattlesymphony.org.
SEASON OPENING REIMAGINED LIVE MUSIC RETURNS. A NEW SEASON WITH THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY.
Save the date for Saturday, September 19 when we’ll kick off the Symphony’s 2020–2021 season with a concert and community celebration! Mark your calendar and stay tuned for details. seattlesymphony.org/seasonopening
Your Symphony. Your Legacy. By making a gift through your estate you join people like you who care deeply about the future of the Seattle Symphony and want to ensure that audiences experience the magic of the orchestra for generations to come. To share your goals for your future gift, please contact Becky Kowals at 206.215.4852 or becky.kowals@seattlesymphony.org.
seattlesymphony.org/legacy
THANKS TO YOU, THIS SEASON …
600,000+
viewers joined us for our online broadcast concerts
7,353
elementary students across 299 classrooms took part in the Link Up music education program
2,293
free tickets were provided through Community Connections and Family Connections
500+ 117 52
minutes of original online programming were produced
live concerts shared the power of music with our community
broadcast performances reached viewers around the world over 18 weeks
10
young composers unlocked their creative potential
8
new commissions were written
6
Community Concerts including 3 Side-by-Side Concerts shared music in schools and neighborhood centers
4
new musicians and 2 new conductors joined our Symphony family
3
Community Compositions gave a musical voice to local people
1
new era of music-making began with Music Director Thomas Dausgaard
Support your Symphony before August 31! The Seattle Symphony’s 2019–2020 fiscal year comes to an end on Monday, August 31, 2020. Please make your gift to help ensure a bright future for the music and musicians you love.
Your investment brings our community together through the power of music. Thank you! seattlesymphony.org/donate | 206.215.4832