2021/2022 Fall Newsletter

THOMAS DAUSGAARD, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Season-Opening Newsletter

YOUR IMPACT IN FOCUS You’re bringing music (and audiences) back!

The return of live music to Benaroya Hall is made possible by your support.

This season marks a new beginning for the Seattle Symphony with live in-person concerts returning to Benaroya Hall after a hiatus of more than eighteen months. The orchestra is also continuing to offer livestreamed concerts online through Seattle Symphony Live, connecting music lovers near and far with the musicians on stage.

As a Seattle Symphony donor your support is playing a vital role in the return of live music this season — in person and virtually — and what a season we have for you!

stretches the boundaries of creative possibility through the unique, immersive capabilities of Benaroya Hall’s newest performance venue.

These one-of-a-kind concerts are not to be missed!

As audiences slowly begin returning to Benaroya Hall, the Symphony is putting your health and safety first, every step of the way. With vaccine verification at all concerts, and the installation of a hospital-grade air ventilation system, increased cleaning protocols and contactless ticketing options, you can enjoy the in-person concert experience with peace of mind.

The orchestra is delighted to reunite with Music Director Thomas Dausgaard this fall. Thomas, who was previously hindered by COVID-19-related travel restrictions and visa delays makes his highly anticipated return in November and looks forward to sharing many more performances with you.

Thomas and the orchestra can’t wait to share more of our music with you this season and hope you’ll join us at the many thrilling performances you’re helping to bring to life. Explore the full lineup of upcoming concerts at seattlesymphony.org.

Among the most exciting concerts in the season ahead is a genre-bending, multimedia experience in collaboration with Seattle-born composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi. EO9066, coming in January, marks the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which saw the internment of innocent Japanese Americans during the Second World War.

“I am fantastically excited for us to experience the music together again.”

– Thomas Dausgaard

Also in January, the Symphony reopens Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center with a new concert series that

Thank you for supporting your Seattle Symphony!

2021–2022 Masterworks Season Sponsor: Delta Air Lines; Thomas Dausgaard’s position is generously underwritten as the Harriet Overton Stimson Music Director; Octave 9: Emerging Artists is supported by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Celebrating together the return of live music.

A new season begins with a two-day celebration — thanks to you!

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4 On September 18 the Seattle Symphony’s Opening Night concert launched the 2021–2022 season with a full orchestra on stage for the first time in 18 months, performing for an in-person audience and livestreamed free on Seattle Symphony Live.

The festivities continued Sunday, September 19 with a free Community Concert and open house, which included a cedar mat presentation, officially acknowledging that the orchestra performs on indigenous land and continuing the Symphony’s mission to reflect the diversity of our region and serve everyone in our community.

PHOTOS: 1 Opening Night Gala Co-Chairs Patricia Rosen and Erika J. Nesholm 2 Swil Kanim, violinist and Symphony Board member, performs with dancer Gene Tagaban as part of the cedar mat presentation during the open weekend celebration 3 President’s Council Co-Chairs and Gala honorees Charles and Lisa Simonyi 4 Guest conductor Xian Zhang leads the orchestra in their triumphant return to the stage 5 Composer in Residence Reena Esmail takes a bow after the world premiere of her new work, RE|Member, commissioned by the Symphony Reena Esmail’s residency is generously supported by Parul and Gary Houlahan.

Through your generosity the season-opening return of live music to the stage was a resounding success.

Thank you!

Upcoming Open Rehearsals bring you closer to the music!

Donors at the Friends level and above are invited to join the orchestra for a behind-the-scenes look at a real working rehearsal. See first hand the unique interplay between conductor and musicians that goes into each breathtaking performance.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021, AT 10AM

Ravel Piano Concerto in G THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022, AT 10AM

Songs of the Earth Access to Open Rehearsals is available based on giving level. For more information and a complete list of Open Rehearsals this season, visit seattlesymphony.org/rehearsals.

Announcing The Rebecca & Jack Benaroya Legacy Circle.

Thank you to all those who are committed to sustaining the orchestra for future generations!

In 1993 Jack and Rebecca Benaroya made a groundbreaking commitment that would change the future of the orchestra and countless lives in our community. The opening of Benaroya Hall five years later transformed downtown Seattle and launched a new, revitalized era at the Seattle Symphony.

“Jack and I both felt, without even discussing it, we just knew it was the right thing to do — giving back to the community.”

– Rebecca Benaroya

This season the Symphony is proud to recognize the Benaroyas’ extraordinary contribution to the orchestra and the cultural fabric of our region by renaming the Musical Legacy Society as The Rebecca & Jack Benaroya Legacy Circle, celebrating their leadership and inviting others to follow their example.

Rebecca Benaroya (née Benoun) was born and raised in Seattle’s Central District. Her maternal grandparents emigrated to the Pacific Northwest from Turkey during World War I, and as a child, Rebecca’s grandfather instilled in her values that would last a lifetime: faith, honor, love and tradition.

Jack Benaroya was born in Montgomery, Alabama, after his mother, father and four siblings emigrated to America from Beirut, Lebanon. The family moved to Seattle in 1933 and resided in Seattle’s Central District, where Jack helped in family businesses from age six. He graduated from Garfield High School in 1939 and in 1942 he married Rebecca, who had also graduated from Garfield the previous year.

Jack was a renowned entrepreneur, ultimately founding a construction and real estate enterprise. While his professional achievements flourished, Jack never forgot the city and the people that made his success possible.

He believed deeply in giving back to the community, and one of his favorite quotes was by Winston Churchill, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

It is with that spirit of generosity and civic responsibility that Jack and Rebecca committed to their own life of philanthropy. After 70 years of loving marriage, Jack passed away in 2012. Since then, Rebecca has continued in their shared vision of philanthropy. The impact of Rebecca and Jack will continue to be felt for generations to come.

The Seattle Symphony is profoundly grateful to the Benaroyas and all the members of the Benaroya Legacy Circle who have included the orchestra in their will or estate plans. Thank you!

For information about making the Symphony a part of your legacy, please visit seattlesymphony.org/legacy.

Share some musical holiday cheer!

Check off your holiday gift list with a custom musical experience! From festive in-person holiday telegrams to video greetings, give a gift they’ll always remember while supporting your Seattle Symphony. Opportunities are limited — book yours today! seattlesymphony.org/homefortheholidays

Leading the way to a full recovery.

Your generous support is helping to bring the orchestra back to the stage at full strength!

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, generous music lovers like you have kept our music playing and helped keep our community connected. The orchestra has been able to reach audiences even while we could not be together, through online performances, and this season we’re thrilled to welcome you back to Benaroya Hall.

Sustaining the Symphony remains a community-wide effort. Gifts large and small ensure that our music plays on and the musicians who bring it to life can once again share their talent and passion with live, in-person audiences, reunited as a full ensemble.

The Symphony is grateful to have such a supportive community, including philanthropist Joan Watjen, who recently made a donation of $3 million in support of the Symphony’s recovery. Joan’s generosity, alongside ongoing support from our entire family of donors, helps restore orchestra musician compensation — reduced due to the pandemic — an important part of the Symphony’s ongoing efforts to return to full operations.

“My late husband Craig and I have drawn strength from music and the arts, particularly so in times of difficulty,” said Joan Watjen. “The pandemic has placed substantial hardship on musicians and their families, and I feel immense gratitude for the sacrifices they’ve made to keep producing music for all of us. I hope this support inspires others to join in this effort to ensure that the arts recover fully and quickly, so that music can continue enriching our community.”

“I feel immense gratitude for the sacrifices … made to keep producing music for all of us.”

– Joan Watjen The generosity of the Symphony community at this time is especially important as it helps to offset the lasting financial damage inflicted by the pandemic.

“The recovery of the arts sector is not simply a matter of opening a venue’s doors — it is the long road of restoring every layer of the organization,” said Seattle Symphony President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan.

“The Symphony is fortunate to be weathering this storm with generous supporters.” Long-term effects on audience behavior and the impact on ticket sales, which normally account for half of the Symphony’s revenue, are yet to be seen, but are anticipated to be felt for years to come.

“As musicians, we devote our lives to connecting with people through music,” said Alexander White, Seattle Symphony Associate Principal Trumpet. “We are humbled by the generosity of Joan and so many other orchestra supporters.”

The Seattle Symphony is grateful to each and every donor who has stepped forward to enable the reopening of Benaroya Hall and the return of live music this season. From leadership gifts to Annual Fund donations of all levels, your support is critical to the orchestra’s future. Thank you!

Krishna Thiagarajan’s position is generously underwritten as the Leslie Jackson Chihuly President & CEO.

Support your Symphony by December 31!

Donations from caring people like you keep the music playing. Please consider making a year-end gift to support the orchestra’s recovery today. We need you for a bright and musical new year!

seattlesymphony.org/donate | 206.215.4832