REPORT OF GIVING 2012-13
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 Anderson Executive Director
123 S. 17th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19103 • www.singingcity.org • 215-569-9067 page 2
Singing City Report of Giving
ANNUAL FRIENDS DRIVE Annual 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 above
Anonymous Lauren Anderson BMPC Advent Gift Market Peggy and Mark Curchack Marian G. Dixon R. Thomas Friedman Robert and Louise Kidder Mary Tryon Ledwith Jonathan Lehman Loftware Enterprise Labeling Solutions Estate of Betty Morrell Kim and Jane Murphy Rajeev Sachdeva
$500 to $999
Roy and Nancy Fairman Nancy Frandsen Ron and Peggy Gregg Sue Anne Grier Clarence Hallquist Elizabeth L. Haslam Herb and Margaret Heineman Beth Johnson Meadowood Residents Association Judith Neilson C. Stewart and Leny Patrick David L. Rawle Ruthanne and Gary Schlarbaum Cheryl Slipski Virginia Smith Bill and Betty Stockwell Jacquelynn C. Van Vliet Debra S. Weiner Bill and Anita Young
$250 to $499
American Academy of Family Physicians Aminda Baird BMPC Senior Choir Peter J. Boyer Wendy Browder Jeffrey Brillhart H. Boyce and Karen Budd Daniel and Rebecca Coyne Mr. And Mrs. James S. Grant
Robert H. Holmes, M.D. Ted and Linda Madara Margaret and Sam McKeel Barbara Rittenhouse Angela Scully and George Elser Elaine B. Shaffer Maria and Mike Thompson
$100 to $249
Elizabeth Bartle Kenneth P. Barrow, Jr. and Betty H. Barrow Jeffrey Brillhart William and June Brown Alice Chase Anthony P. Checchia Elizabeth Childs Deborah Clarke and Cheryl Bruttomesso Bruce and Sharon Cundiff Kelly Ann Dolan Diana Donaldson Nancy Fairman Louis and Lee Ann Fancher Don and Julie Friedman Helen H. Gilmore Robert and Mary Jane Girondi Kelvin J. Goodwine Anne Hess Claire and Warren Huff Laila Nada and Don Isaacson Walter Johnson Susan and Peter Joseph Peter and Tracey Kelley David Kidder Jeff Knightly and Cindy Cassel Donald and Ann Kraftson Robert and Lisa Landley Susan Levin Diane Mallery Tracey Marino Dorothy Marshall Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Merin Robert Merin I. Wistar and Martha Morris Randy and Michelle Nonemaker Evelyn G. Parker Jane G. Pepper Barbara Poll
2012-2013
page 3
Richard J. Cohen, President and CEO Mark and Sandy Ritter Mindy Rubinlicht Franna Ruddell M’Annette Ruddell Marilyn Sifford Mr. and Mrs. Steven H. Tyre Christopher and Nancy Wackman Barbara Willig Myra Woll
Up to $99
Ellen G. Anderson Anton E. Armstrong, DMA Elaine Axleman Elaine W. Baer Therese E. Barringer Adelle Bedrossian Norman and Carla Block Robert Bokunewicz Irving and Elaine Broudy Karen T. Coates Steven Crandall Tony and Elaine Del Vecchio Kelly Anne Dolan Michael and Kathleen Dolan Tamara Duffy Suzanne DuPlantis Jayne L. Fiero Kathryn Fretz Andrew Fuller Sonya Garfinkle Jennifer Gottschalk Sally P. Hartman Enid Horowitz Claire and Warren Huff
Scott Hughes IBM International Foundation Anne Kamrin Marjorie and Edward Kennedy Toni and Herb Kestenbaum Elizabeth Krick Peggy and Rob MacGregor James and Clare Mackie Joyce Marshall Yuko Martin Catharine Maxey Barbara Maxwell Douglas H. McCone Bonnie Filtz Motel A. Michael Nasielski James Nettleton and Carol Cobb-Nettleton Rosalyn Ominsky Vicki and Mike Parker Kathleen and Alfred Putnam Laura Randolph Christopher and Edith Roberts Gili Ronen Robin Rosecky Franny and Harold S. Rosenbluth John Rossheim Francis B. Rubinsohn Lawana Scales Gretchen and Paul Steck Carol Tashjian Robert Thuener June Truitt Jack and Linda Weaver June T. Weinstein Mr. and Mrs. H. William Westerman Mr. and Mrs. Alan T. Willoughby Janet Yamron Arthur and Angelica Zbinden
In Memory of Betty Morrell Adelle Bedrossian Richard J. Cohen Marian G. Dixon Kathryn Fretz Don and Julie Friedman Sonya Garfinkle Jim and Martha Grant Toni and Herb Kestenbaum Joyce Marshall Meadowood Residents Association Public Health Management Corp. Myra Woll Janet 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. page 4
Singing City Report of Giving
SEASON SUBSCRIBERS 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.
Benefactors Mr. and Mrs. James R. Affleck, Jr. Lauren Anderson Peter Boyer Jeff Brillhart and Joacy Mendonca Deb Clarke and Cheryl Bruttomesso Peggy and Mark Curchack Elizabeth Haslam Clare and Jim Mackie Ted and Linda Madara Kim and Jane Murphy Cheryl Slipski Richard and Dorothy Stevens William and Betty Stockwell
Patrons Susan Alpine and Ed Scheetz Norman and Carla Block Wendy Browder Gloria Brown Dr. Barbara Domingos Doug Faulkner Carl and Nancy Frandsen Ms. Helen H. Gilmore Ron and Peggy Gregg Sue Anne Grier Robert H. Holmes Warren and Claire Huff Beth Johnson Walter Johnson
Patrons, con’t. Gary and Debbie Johnson-McNutt Mary Tryon Ledwith Linda Litwin Claire McKinley and William Krewson Rosalyn Ominsky Evelyn Parker Barbara Rittenhouse Jack and Roberta Rubinlicht Ruthanne and Gary Schlarbaum Elaine B. Shaffer John and Sandi Stouffer Mary Ann Sullivan Radclyffe F. Thompson
Sponsors Soryl Angel Jessica Brown Marguerite P. Harris Susan and Peter Joseph Dr. Louise H. Kidder The Rev. and Mrs. Dennis C. Lloyd Betty Morrell Richard and Rachel Sobel Jane Windle Every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of these lists. Please e-mail Lauren Anderson, lauren@singingcity.org, with any corrections. Thank you.
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. 2012-2013
page 5
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.
page 6
Singing City Report of Giving
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.
High Notes - Underwriters of the Auction Lauren Anderson Mr. and Mrs. William H. Brown, III De Ann P. Clancy Mark and Peggy Curchack Kathleen and Michael Dolan Nancy and Carl Frandsen Jim and Martha Grant Ron and Peggy Gregg Ted and Linda Madara Kathleen J. Moyer Jean and Joe Nixon Frances Rubinsohn Elaine B. Shaffer Cheryl Slipski Bill and Betty Stockwell Sandra Stouffer Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Van Dervort
Items for the Auction Donated By
Arden Theatre Company Asher Chocolates Brandywine River Museum Wendy Browder Bryn Mawr Film Institute Chanticleer Garden The Colonial Inn Colonial Theatre Steve Crandall Mark and Peggy Curchack Diving Cat Studio East Falls Glassworks Eastern State Penitentiary Nancy Frandsen Clem Hallquist Head To Toe Healthy Spa Historic Rittenhouse Town Kimmel Center Mary Tryon Ledwith Jackie Lesser Francine Levin Longwood Gardens Linda Madara Judith Malis Robert Mann Tim McGarrigan Metalworks Jewlery The Motel Family City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
Morris Arboretum Opera Philadelphia Stewart Patrick Penelope Rakov • Jewelry People’s Light & Theatre Company Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia Chocolate Tours Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Theatre Company Pileggi of Haddonfield Ramblewood Golf Suzanne Roberts Boutique Mindy Rubinlicht and Jason Torban Hank Rubner M’Annette Ruddell Carol Saline Angela Scully SC Altos SC Basses SC Board of Directors SC Sopranos SC Tenors Cheryl Slipski Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse Smithville Inn Rachel Sobel Southern Wine & Spirit Dorothy Stevens Bill and Betty Stockwell Mary Ann Sullivan Theatre Exile Mike Thompson/PA Trust Trio at Trinity—Trinity Center for Urban Life Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio Walnut Street Theater We Heart Skin.com Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library Royce Yoder Arthur Zbinden Carole M. Ziegler Smithville Inn in Historic Smithville, NJ Starr Restaurant Group Su Xing House Suzanne Roberts Vertex Fitness Personal Trainging Studio Walnut Street Theater WeHeartSkin.com The Wilma Theater Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
2012-2013
page 7
The Children’s March
May 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.
The Children’s March premiere performance-Friday, April 26, 2013. page 8
Singing City Report of Giving
W
hat 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 anniversary 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
F
or 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 2012-2013
page 9
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.
David Scott, SC Children’s Choir parent and staff member at the parent dinner.
Members of the choir in Chestertown, MD to sing Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony at the National Music Festival in June.
page 10
Singing City Report of Giving
Foundations, Corporations and Government Support
A Simple Gift-The SC Endowment Legacy Fund
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 Foundation The Samuel S. Fels Fund Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation IBM Corporation John K. and Elizabeth W. Knorr Charitable Foundation Lincoln Financial Foundation PA Council on the Arts Pennsylvania Trust The Philadelphia Cultural Fund The Presser Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation The Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial
You 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’s endowment, 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 lauren@singingcity.org.
Legacy Fund Donors
Douglas and Deborah Faulkner Julie Friedman Sue Anne Grier Elizabeth L. Haslam Business Partners Carolyn Lowery Hypno Design Mike Nasielski Woodcock Washburn Judith Neilson Rosalyn Ominsky Volunteers with the SC Children’s Choir (pictured below) prepared Barbara Rittenhouse a dinner for choir members and their families at the Rhoads M’Annette Ruddell Elementary School in West Philadelphia. Children’s Choir director Mary Ann Sullivan Steve Fisher hosted an information session while volunteers Nancy Jean S. Weiss Fairman, Eve Bogle and Peggy Gregg handled dinner for over 100 John H. Wood people.
2012-2013
page 11