Scannualreport12 13

REPORT OF GIVING 2012-13

Singing City Report of Giving

123 S. 17th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19103 • www.singingcity.org • 215-569-9067

Dear Friends,

At this time every year we are launching into new repertoire, auditioning new singers, and preparing for the first concert of the season. At the same time, we have the opportunity to reflect on the year just past—and what a year it was. Singing City celebrated its 65th birthday, taking time to honor its roots and dream about the next 65 years.

Our fall 2012 concert, Love & Mortality, opened the season with repertoire that speaks to our common experience as human beings. The Children’s Choir joined us and the concert was followed by a wonderful dinner nearby. What a great way to connect with audience members. This was followed by a performance at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of their holiday celebrations. Museumgoers filled the Great Stair Hall to enjoy the sounds of the season. We have been invited back to perform again this year.

At our Winter Concert in February, guest conductor Chris Windle directed the choir. Chris was a talented young graduate student from Temple University who spent two months preparing the choir under Jeff’s mentorship. We awarded the Prize for Young Composers to Matthew Emery, a student at the University of British Columbia, for his piece, Voice of Song. Music Director Jeff Brillhart noted: “Matthew exquisitely captured the beauty of this poem, by Icelandic poet Steingrimur Thorsteinsson. Harmonically, the work moves from clusters of sounds out to marvelous wide sonorities and I was struck too by the beauty of the individual voice parts.” This was followed by a collaboration with Lyric Fest with a concert that traced the history of the Civil Rights movement through song and readings. Our 65thAnniversary Concert - The Children’s March, was held on April 26 at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. Singing City commissioned the work by composer Andrew Bleckner with a libretto by Charlotte Blake Alston that tells the story of one moment that changed the course of civil rights in America. The work premiered in April 2013 as part of PIFA (Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts). The work received rave reviews and we are thrilled to be performing it again as part of our 2013-14 season. At our fundraising auction in May, we paid tribute to those singers with thirty or more years in Singing City-six singers! Our longest-standing member celebrated her 50th year in the choir. In June, choir members performed the Mahler Resurrection Symphony at the National Music Festival in Chestertown, MD. We will return in June 2014 to perform the Verdi Requiem.

Once again, we have all of you to thank for making our work possible. It was a rich and rewarding year thanks to the support we received from individuals, foundations and businesses. In a landscape where funding for the arts is always at risk, we are grateful to each and every one of you.

Sincerely,

Lauren AndersonExecutive Director

2012-2013 page 3

ANNUAL FRIENDS DRIVEAnnual contributions to Singing City are of crucial importance because they are used to support the operating budget of the Choir. Annual Friends Drive gifts are spent throughout the year on operating needs such as our formal concert series, community concerts at care facilities and retirement homes, and to support our small but dedicated staff. Because gifts to the Annual Friends Drive are not designated to a particular use when made, these funds have the broadest impact on Singing City and its audiences. In our 64th season and under the leadership of board member Mike Thompson, $55,000 was raised to support the Annual Friends Drive. Our thanks to each and every contributor.

$1,000 and aboveAnonymousLauren AndersonBMPC Advent Gift MarketPeggy and Mark CurchackMarian G. DixonR. Thomas FriedmanRobert and Louise KidderMary Tryon LedwithJonathan LehmanLoftware Enterprise Labeling SolutionsEstate of Betty MorrellKim and Jane MurphyRajeev Sachdeva

$500 to $999Roy and Nancy FairmanNancy FrandsenRon and Peggy GreggSue Anne GrierClarence HallquistElizabeth L. HaslamHerb and Margaret HeinemanBeth JohnsonMeadowood Residents AssociationJudith NeilsonC. Stewart and Leny PatrickDavid L. RawleRuthanne and Gary SchlarbaumCheryl SlipskiVirginia SmithBill and Betty StockwellJacquelynn C. Van VlietDebra S. WeinerBill and Anita Young

$250 to $499American Academy of Family PhysiciansAminda BairdBMPC Senior ChoirPeter J. BoyerWendy BrowderJeffrey BrillhartH. Boyce and Karen BuddDaniel and Rebecca CoyneMr. And Mrs. James S. Grant

Robert H. Holmes, M.D.Ted and Linda MadaraMargaret and Sam McKeelBarbara RittenhouseAngela Scully and George ElserElaine B. ShafferMaria and Mike Thompson

$100 to $249Elizabeth BartleKenneth P. Barrow, Jr. and Betty H. BarrowJeffrey BrillhartWilliam and June BrownAlice ChaseAnthony P. ChecchiaElizabeth ChildsDeborah Clarke and Cheryl BruttomessoBruce and Sharon CundiffKelly Ann DolanDiana DonaldsonNancy FairmanLouis and Lee Ann FancherDon and Julie FriedmanHelen H. GilmoreRobert and Mary Jane GirondiKelvin J. GoodwineAnne HessClaire and Warren HuffLaila Nada and Don IsaacsonWalter JohnsonSusan and Peter JosephPeter and Tracey KelleyDavid KidderJeff Knightly and Cindy CasselDonald and Ann KraftsonRobert and Lisa LandleySusan LevinDiane MalleryTracey MarinoDorothy MarshallMr. and Mrs. Michael G. MerinRobert MerinI. Wistar and Martha MorrisRandy and Michelle NonemakerEvelyn G. ParkerJane G. PepperBarbara Poll


Richard J. Cohen, President and CEOMark and Sandy RitterMindy RubinlichtFranna RuddellM’Annette RuddellMarilyn SiffordMr. and Mrs. Steven H. TyreChristopher and Nancy WackmanBarbara WilligMyra Woll Up to $99Ellen G. AndersonAnton E. Armstrong, DMAElaine AxlemanElaine W. BaerTherese E. BarringerAdelle BedrossianNorman and Carla BlockRobert BokunewiczIrving and Elaine BroudyKaren T. CoatesSteven CrandallTony and Elaine Del VecchioKelly Anne DolanMichael and Kathleen DolanTamara DuffySuzanne DuPlantisJayne L. FieroKathryn FretzAndrew FullerSonya GarfinkleJennifer GottschalkSally P. HartmanEnid HorowitzClaire and Warren Huff

Scott HughesIBM International FoundationAnne KamrinMarjorie and Edward KennedyToni and Herb KestenbaumElizabeth KrickPeggy and Rob MacGregorJames and Clare MackieJoyce MarshallYuko MartinCatharine MaxeyBarbara MaxwellDouglas H. McConeBonnie Filtz MotelA. Michael NasielskiJames Nettleton and Carol Cobb-NettletonRosalyn OminskyVicki and Mike ParkerKathleen and Alfred PutnamLaura RandolphChristopher and Edith RobertsGili RonenRobin RoseckyFranny and Harold S. RosenbluthJohn RossheimFrancis B. RubinsohnLawana ScalesGretchen and Paul SteckCarol TashjianRobert ThuenerJune TruittJack and Linda WeaverJune T. WeinsteinMr. and Mrs. H. William WestermanMr. and Mrs. Alan T. WilloughbyJanet YamronArthur and Angelica Zbinden

In Memory of Betty MorrellAdelle BedrossianRichard J. CohenMarian G. DixonKathryn FretzDon and Julie FriedmanSonya GarfinkleJim and Martha GrantToni and Herb KestenbaumJoyce MarshallMeadowood Residents AssociationPublic Health Management Corp.Myra WollJanet Yamron

Long-time choir member Betty Morrell, pictured above at left, passed away on January 1, 2013. Music was a big part of her life and she was in the choir for over 30 years. Many current and former singers attended her memorial service and sang in her memory. We extend our thanks to those who remembered Betty with a gift to Singing City.

2012-2013 page 5

SEASON SUBSCRIBERS

BenefactorsMr. and Mrs. James R. Affleck, Jr.Lauren AndersonPeter BoyerJeff Brillhart and Joacy MendoncaDeb Clarke and Cheryl BruttomessoPeggy and Mark CurchackElizabeth HaslamClare and Jim MackieTed and Linda MadaraKim and Jane MurphyCheryl SlipskiRichard and Dorothy StevensWilliam and Betty Stockwell

PatronsSusan Alpine and Ed ScheetzNorman and Carla BlockWendy BrowderGloria BrownDr. Barbara DomingosDoug FaulknerCarl and Nancy FrandsenMs. Helen H. GilmoreRon and Peggy GreggSue Anne GrierRobert H. HolmesWarren and Claire HuffBeth JohnsonWalter Johnson

Patrons, con’t. Gary and Debbie Johnson-McNuttMary Tryon LedwithLinda LitwinClaire McKinley and William KrewsonRosalyn OminskyEvelyn ParkerBarbara RittenhouseJack and Roberta RubinlichtRuthanne and Gary SchlarbaumElaine B. ShafferJohn and Sandi StoufferMary Ann SullivanRadclyffe F. Thompson

SponsorsSoryl AngelJessica BrownMarguerite P. HarrisSusan and Peter JosephDr. Louise H. KidderThe Rev. and Mrs. Dennis C. LloydBetty MorrellRichard and Rachel SobelJane Windle

Season Subscribers provide the backbone of financial support for the performance aspect of our mission. We are grateful for their generosity and for their commitment to artistic excellence.

The Fall Concert - Love & Mortality - featured the Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes and works by Howells, Jasperse, Ticheli, Takach and Mahler in a concert exploring the human condition.

Every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of these lists. Please e-mail Lauren Anderson, [email protected], with any corrections. Thank you.


Singing City Auction Celebrating 65

Scenes from our annual fundraising

auction held this year on Saturday,

May 11. The Mike Thompson Duo provided

live music and guests were also treated

to an appearance by the Singing City

Children’s Choir, led by Steve Fisher.

Kim Balaschak, pictured below with

husband Jim, presided as auctioneer.

2012-2013 page 7

High Notes - Underwriters of the AuctionLauren AndersonMr. and Mrs. William H. Brown, IIIDe Ann P. ClancyMark and Peggy CurchackKathleen and Michael DolanNancy and Carl FrandsenJim and Martha GrantRon and Peggy GreggTed and Linda MadaraKathleen J. MoyerJean and Joe NixonFrances RubinsohnElaine B. ShafferCheryl SlipskiBill and Betty StockwellSandra StoufferMr. and Mrs. Anthony Van Dervort

Items for the Auction Donated ByArden Theatre CompanyAsher ChocolatesBrandywine River MuseumWendy BrowderBryn Mawr Film InstituteChanticleer GardenThe Colonial InnColonial TheatreSteve CrandallMark and Peggy CurchackDiving Cat StudioEast Falls GlassworksEastern State PenitentiaryNancy FrandsenClem HallquistHead To Toe Healthy SpaHistoric Rittenhouse TownKimmel CenterMary Tryon LedwithJackie LesserFrancine LevinLongwood GardensLinda MadaraJudith MalisRobert MannTim McGarriganMetalworks JewleryThe Motel FamilyCity of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

Morris ArboretumOpera PhiladelphiaStewart PatrickPenelope Rakov • JewelryPeople’s Light & Theatre CompanyPhiladelphia 76ersPhiladelphia Chocolate ToursPhiladelphia EaglesPhiladelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Theatre CompanyPileggi of HaddonfieldRamblewood GolfSuzanne Roberts BoutiqueMindy Rubinlicht and Jason TorbanHank RubnerM’Annette RuddellCarol SalineAngela ScullySC AltosSC BassesSC Board of DirectorsSC SopranosSC TenorsCheryl SlipskiSmith Memorial Playground & PlayhouseSmithville InnRachel SobelSouthern Wine & SpiritDorothy StevensBill and Betty StockwellMary Ann SullivanTheatre ExileMike Thompson/PA TrustTrio at Trinity—Trinity Center for Urban LifeVertex Fitness Personal Training StudioWalnut Street TheaterWe Heart Skin.comWinterthur Museum, Garden & LibraryRoyce YoderArthur ZbindenCarole M. ZieglerSmithville Inn in Historic Smithville, NJStarr Restaurant GroupSu Xing HouseSuzanne RobertsVertex Fitness Personal Trainging StudioWalnut Street TheaterWeHeartSkin.comThe Wilma TheaterWinterthur Museum, Garden & Library

The Singing City Auction—Celebrating 65!—was held on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Over 100 people turned out for an afternoon of delicious food and drink, live music, bidding on a wonderful assortment of items, and a chance to socialize with friends old and new. Contributions from special events such as this are important to sustaining the mission of Singing City. Thanks to the leadership of auction committee members Nancy Frandsen, Jackie Lesser, Linda Madara, Tim McGarrigan, Cheryl Slipski and Sarah Rowland, over $10,000 was raised. We are indebted to all those who donated an item and attended.


The Children’s March premiere performance-Friday, April 26, 2013.

The Children’s MarchMay 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the Children’s March in Birmingham, Alabama that was the catalyst for bringing

about the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. On May 2, 1963, the children of Birmingham, Alabama, flooded the city’s

streets—and the city’s jail—to challenge segregation. With dogs and fire hoses, police tried to stop them. Yet, in ways

their parents could not, the children prevailed, defying the police intimidation that long had plagued Birmingham’s black

community. Singing was a large part of the protest that resulted in the arrest of thousands of children. A DJ used code and

song to spread the word, transmitting news of the march over the radio. Singing City commissioned this riveting work by

Philadelphia composer Andrew Bleckner and acclaimed Philadelphia storyteller and narrator Charlotte Blake Alston that

tells the story of one moment that changed the course of civil rights in America. They give their perspectives on their

collaboration on the following page.

Funding for The Children’s March came from Peggy & Mark Curchack, The Musical Fund Society

and a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

2012-2013 page 9

What can I say about The Children’s March? It is one of the most powerful and meaningful projects in which I have ever taken part. I am very grateful to Singing City and its supporters for giving me the opportunity to create this new work. For a period of five months I grappled with Charlotte’s libretto

in my studio, alternating between shouting in defiance, weeping in sorrow, and singing for joy. To paraphrase Charlotte from one of her video interviews, this is a story for the ages, one that needs to be told and retold. When the deadline for handing in the musical score approached, I felt very sad because this signified that a special part of my life was over, and that I had to give up a special friend or part of myself. Even now it is still surreal and a little shocking that the musical score will change from a private dream to a public spectacle. This is the nature of being a composer.

One facet of the project Charlotte and I struggled with was the ending. Our ultimate decision was to honor two impulses: on the one hand, leave the message that the struggle continues, and on the other hand, end with a moment of comfort and peace via a setting of “There is a Balm in Gilead.” Just this past week, on the 50th anni-versary of his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, I read in the New York Times that Martin Luther King did not fear the consequences of the struggle in Birmingham; that his certainty was rooted in his belief that “There is a Balm in Gilead.” I think the children of Birmingham had even more confidence. So tonight, we honor their courage and achievement, and sing for justice in their name.

Andrew Bleckner, Composer

For a number of years, I offered a workshop for middle school students called: What is a Civil Right? I included selected news footage from key events in the mid-to late 20th century struggle for civil rights. Nearly everywhere I presented the workshop—in schools all across the country —teachers, and administrators in their 30’s and 40’s would confide: “I never knew anything about these events” or “I never

heard these stories before.“ Why are pivotal events of courage and sacrifice that shaped the kind of nation we are today, left out of our children’s history books?

Today, we are experiencing a resurfacing of dehumanizing language and rhetoric not heard since the 1960s. That rhetoric largely goes unchallenged. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: “We must get rid of the notion that human progress rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. We must come to see that human progress is never inevitable. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals and without this hard work time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation. We must make it clear that the time to do right is now and the time is always right to do right.“ The work of creating the nation we envision is OUR work. Our ongoing diligence is required.

Tonight I feel—as I have through this entire creative process—awe, gratefulness, passion and humility. I was 14 and-a-half years old in the spring and summer of 1963. Images of the events in Birmingham and other southern cities kept my siblings and me glued to our television set. I was disturbed that people—my people—were being brutalized yet again, for taking a stand for human dignity and equality in the Land of the Free, but I was also in complete awe, that the majority of those who stood in harm’s way this time, were hundreds of children, many younger than me. They walked with ordered steps in small groups with a dignity beyond their years, either quietly or singing, and without resistance, tears or complaints, stepped into police vans to be carted off to jail. I wondered if I could have stood so boldly and courageously in the face of such cultural and political insanity. I am passionate about these stories being told with authenticity. I am both humbled and grateful that the opportunity to tell this story—to craft the text for this work, as daunting as it was—was offered to me by this storied organization. I am grateful that my niece’s marriage yielded a new “relative.” Earthaline Jefferson, who spent hours on the phone sharing her experience inside the animal pen at the Fairgrounds where she and other children were imprisoned that spring. I am grateful to Lauren Anderson, Jeff Brillhart, Steve Fisher and the members of this choir who have wrapped their arms and energy around the work.

Andrew and I have lived with The Children’s March for over a year. For months we had countless extended conversations about every aspect of the work and I honor and am grateful for his patience, diligence and care. Certainly, we each bring our experience, expertise and passion as storyteller, composer and our sensibilities as human beings, as Americans of different generations. But mostly this has been a process led by our hearts. Please accept it as a gift – from our hearts to yours.

Charlotte Blake Alston, Librettist


Singing City’s 65th Anniversary Concert - The Children’s March - was part of PIFA 2013 (Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts). Choir member Gili Ronen attended a Kimmel Center publicity event to promote the concert.

Members of the choir in Chestertown, MD to sing Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony at the National Music Festival in June.

David Scott, SC Children’s Choir parent and staff

member at the parent dinner.

2012-2013 page 11

Foundations, Corporations and Government Support Grants from foundations, businesses, along with government support, touch every aspect of the mission of Singing City. In addition to support for our performance series and education programs like the Singing City Children’s Choir and Prize for Young Composers—these donations support our no–cost concerts at care facilities throughout the city. In 2012-13, Singing City received $70,000 in grants from these sources. Barra FoundationThe Samuel S. Fels FundAnn and Gordon Getty FoundationIBM CorporationJohn K. and Elizabeth W. Knorr Charitable FoundationLincoln Financial FoundationPA Council on the ArtsPennsylvania TrustThe Philadelphia Cultural FundThe Presser FoundationWells Fargo FoundationThe Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial

Business Partners Hypno DesignWoodcock Washburn

Legacy Fund DonorsDouglas and Deborah Faulkner

Julie FriedmanSue Anne Grier

Elizabeth L. HaslamCarolyn LoweryMike NasielskiJudith Neilson

Rosalyn OminskyBarbara RittenhouseM’Annette RuddellMary Ann Sullivan

Jean S. WeissJohn H. Wood

A Simple Gift-The SC Endowment Legacy FundYou might want to make a gift to the Singing City Endowment, but now is not the right time for you.Keep it simple. Make a bequest or deferred gift to the Choir. Your bequest will support the Choir’sendowment, which in turn will help strengthen the Choir’s ability to retain and attract the very best staff,provide ongoing support for the Singing City Children’s Choir, stabilize the operating budget and establish a financial aid fund so that everyone in the choir can participate in retreats and go on tour. Keep it simple: make a bequest to Singing City. Your gift will be gratefully received and wisely used. Your forethought and generosity will be greatly appreciated. If you would like to include Singing City in your planning, please contact Executive Director Lauren Anderson at 215-569-9067 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Volunteers with the SC Children’s Choir (pictured below) prepared a dinner for choir members and their families at the Rhoads Elementary School in West Philadelphia. Children’s Choir director Steve Fisher hosted an information session while volunteers Nancy Fairman, Eve Bogle and Peggy Gregg handled dinner for over 100 people.

Scannualreport12 13

Documents

Transcript of Scannualreport12 13