Symphony Support Reaching New Heights

Dear Friends:

I welcome the opportunity to pause and share our progress with you, our valued donors and ticket buyers. You are the reason we exist, and we are grateful for your support of our wonderful artform.

I have also been grateful for the warm reception we have received in the community for the first two years of the Miller Match campaign. It's clear to me that anyone who values our orchestra, its music and community work will respond once they hear the story and the need is clear. That has been very rewarding to all of us and has resulted in the more than $1 million in new dollars we have raised thus far this season. It is compelling to me that most of the gifts we have received toward the match have come from a large group of people making donations of $500 or less. That is exactly what we had hoped for, and it's working. Thank you.

As you know, we recently announced our 2006-2007 season, and the initial response in the community has been very positive. Carlos has put together a blockbuster Classical season, beginning with Garrick Ohlsson performing Beethoven and featuring incredible artists such as Leila Josefowicz, Alban Gerhardt and Stephen Hough performing timeless music, including evenings devoted to Mozart and Strauss. We are also very proud of the Pops lineup, which includes the Pointer Sisters as well as tributes to Motown, the Beatles and Broadway.

It's no surprise, however, that the hottest-selling concerts for next season feature Itzhak Perlman conducting and playing his trademark violin. That those concerts will sell out is certain; the only question is when. Only subscribers are able to purchase Perlman tickets before August, and there is some doubt whether there will be any tickets left at that point. So if you're a Perlman lover and you haven't renewed or subscribed, now is the time!

Warm regards,

William Ryberg
President