SOGO December 2020 Newsletter

Orchestrating Lifelong Participation in the Arts

1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 | 360-352-1438 | studentorchestras.org studentorchestras@gmail.com | facebook.com/studentorchestras | December 2020 Vol. XXI No. 5

Together, Still

Join Us Online for the SO-GO Virtual Concert Beginning Sunday, Dec 13 at 3pm at StudentOrchestras.org

by Greg Allison, SOGO Artistic Director We have had a sneak peek at what our video engineer has done in compiling the individual videos into virtual ensembles. Believe me, you will be thrilled at what the SOGO students have been able to accomplish.

Music Director Cameron May and I have been chatting recently with our SOGO students about how they are doing. When students tell us what is working well and what might be better a common thread emerges: “It is the best we could hope for with the situation at hand.” We all desire to be in person creating beautiful music together. But, when you watch the virtual orchestra videos of all the musicians pouring out their hearts through the music without a connection (apart from a recording with a click track) there is an unexplainable warmth that overwhelms you.

We are apart but together. Headed the same direction with the aid of technology. Our recording engineer, Daryl Sarnat, has done a masterful job compiling individual videos into something truly amazing – musicians creating something of beauty together – virtually!

I know that watching the video presentation will profoundly affect all of us – it has far exceeded our expectations – what amazing students we get to work with! We are together, still!

The concert is free to view. Please consider making a donation to SOGO as a virtual ticket.

Photos are from the Conservatory Orchestra's performance of 'The Olympic Spirit.' The virtual concert will also include music from the Academy and Debut Orchestras and the Brass Choir.

"It wouldn’t be Christmas without the SOGO Messiah Sing-Along!" ~ Messiah audience members Laurie & Fred MacInnes

Even though we won't be singing in person this year, you can still sing along with Handel's glorious Messiah at home beginning Sunday, December 20 at 3PM, online at StudentOrchestras.org.

Last year's SOGO Messiah Sing-Along, including student Jaymes Klein's fabulous solo in "The Trumpet Shall Sound," will be shown.

While you're warming up to sing at home, read some of our audience's Messiah memories and reminisce about your own.

LEAD • INSPIRE • PERFORM •

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Experience SOGO at a FREE virtual rehearsal!

Sun., Jan 10 - Visit studentorchestras.org for info.

Visit studentorchestras.org to donate online.

To all of our wonderful donors this holiday season…

by Krina Allison

I would like to send you my gratitude for making this time of SOGO so remarkable during a very difficult year. When I visit my mailbox and I see your envelope there, I am so encouraged by your belief in SOGO’s work with these young musicians.

Did you know the CARES Act allows taxpayers who don’t itemize to deduct up to $300 per The CARES act allows taxpayers who don’t itemize to deduct up to $300 per year in charitable contributions. year in charitable contributions?

Previously, charitable contributions could only be deducted if taxpayers itemized their deductions, but in March 2020 lawmakers approved a new tax break incentive to encourage more charitable giving. The CARES Act…

I fail to get out your thank you/receipt letter very quickly, which is a terrible no-no in the industry, because I try to give a lot of thought to each letter before I write it. It is important to me that you receive special insights into the people of this organization, and not only our most spectacular moments, but also the times we struggle. I know that you value hearing the good and the bad and take it to heart.

The CARES Act gives you the ability to deduct up1. to $300 in donations to a 501 (c) 3 Gives you the ability to deduct up to $300 in donations to a 501 (c) 3 organization in 2020, even if you do not itemize your organization in deductions.

2020, even if you do not 2. If you do itemize your deductions, the limit on the percentage of your Adjusted Gross Income itemize deductions.

If you do itemize eligible foryour the charitable deduction has been eliminated.

Currently, this tax break applies to 2020.

Many of you have on probably already reached the $300 tax break your deductions, the limit the percentage for the year, which makes you part of the 32% of American’s that give to charities. That leaves 68% of ofpeople your Adjusted Gross Income eligible for the the that haven’t used this tax break.

For small organizations like SOGO, $300 can be ahas game changer.

Giftseliminated. at this level can result in providing My letters come with something scribbled in my charitable deduction been 50% of program costs not covered by membership tuition fees.

For small organizations like SOGO, $300 can be a game changer. Gifts at this level can result in providing 50% of program costs not covered by membership tuition fees.

Thank you for considering a year-end gift to Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia.

Thank you for considering a year-end gift to Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia.

For more information on the CARES Act and charitable contributions visit the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/ newsroom/how-the-cares-act-changes-deductingcharitable-contributions.

Honor a Loved One with a Gift to SOGO

Tribute and memorial gifts to Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia are an unforgettable way to mark an anniversary or special achievement, or to honor the memory of a loved one.

Donations can be made at studentorchestras.org or by sending a check to 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501. Please include a mailing address for your honoree so that we may send an acknowledgment.

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates up to 0.5% of the purchase price to SOGO. Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-2079223 t o support us every time you make a purchase.

FREE VIRTUAL

Sun., Jan. 10 Register at

studentorchestras.org

SOGO HOLIDAY BRASS CHOIR SHOW Memorable music from past seasons PLUS a newly recorded performance of “Away in a Manger”

Online beginning Monday, December 21, 3:00PM StudentOrchestras.org

handwriting in the salutation adorned with a musical Krina Allison catching up with a longtime SOGO supporter at the note or a smiley face. I try to personalize it just a 2018 Holiday Brass Choir Show little bit more, so you know that I am thinking about you. Then, to my surprise, sometimes one of you writes me back! “SOGO will live!” was one of the first COVID-19 notes I received – it encouraged me just at the right time! So many of you have written me – Dana, Karen, Pat, Ann, Boh (now deceased, but I have her precious note), Dwayne, Christine, Laurie, John, Sheila, Christina, Judith, and the list goes on. I love it when I see in the “Pay to the order of” line on the check - SOGO – that’s the spirit!

My donor folder is thick with your sweet notes of encouragement. I think Lucy said it just perfect in her last note, which I will share with you in closing…

“Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a return to live concerts!”

~Krina Allison, SOGO Executive Director

We couldn’t have done it without YOU!

Thank you for supporting SOGO's Give Local 2020 campaign!

You generously donated $10,730 to SOGO – and that amount will be boosted by the Dawkins Charitable Trust Bonus Fund!

Sixty-nine of you made a gift to SOGO, including 15 new donors.

Our community gave $422,948 to 77 nonprofit organizations during the Give Local 2020. The success of this extraordinary campaign wouldn’t have been possible without your efforts.

In a recent survey of SOGO Brass Choir musicians, 50% say cookies are their favorite holiday food. Runners up included traditional favorites of turkey, pecan pie, and chocolate, with one lone lasagna fan.

More importantly, here’s what the students say about their teaching artists: Liz Ward, French horn Dr. Ed Sandor, trumpet Dan Craig, low brass "She gives us ways to "He helps me improve "He helps us by playing all practice, rather than my playing drastically." the instruments not just just telling us to fix telling us what to do."

"He is funny and something!" understanding when "He works with us one on "She knows how to we need it most." one and makes sure we're make everything playing everything correctly perfect." while giving us feedback."