established to raise money for building preservation and necessary renovations. In 1955, Stuart F. Louchheim, President of the Academy of Music, made an impassioned public plea to save the beleaguered landmark, stating that “culturally, it means to this city, if not to the nation, what Independence Hall means historically.” His advocacy and fundraising saved the building and formed the foundation on which the Academy of Music Restoration Fund has grown. The Fund is responsible for annual and capital fundraising, completion of all capital projects for the Academy of Music, as well as the management of its renowned Anniversary Concert and Ball, first held in 1957 on the 100th Anniversary of the Academy’s opening. It continues to be one of the city’s most important
Although a beloved fixture and jewel with “pride of place” at Broad and Locust Streets, the Academy of Music is a dynamic “Grand Old Lady” who is very much keeping an eye on the future. The support of its Young Friends of the Anniversary Concert and Ball is a crucial part of ensuring that this iconic building is preserved. This group is the Greater Philadelphia region’s next generation of philanthropists, representing the top tier of emerging young professionals from ages twenty-one to forty, dedicated to the ongoing restoration of the Academy. Capital support comes from the Restoration fund, annual endowment draw, and the Anniversary Concert and Ball. All proceeds raised by the Young Friends directly support the capital restoration and renovation of the building
The 158th Anniversary Concert with renowned Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra. Photo Jessica Griffin
social events each year, as well as one of the most successful fundraising events in the country with 2,000 of Philadelphia’s political, corporate and civic leaders gathering for a premier white tie event. It offers a superb classical and popular program led by renowned Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra, within a venue of historic and elegant ambience. The concert is followed by dinner and dancing, with all proceeds benefitting the Orchestra and the Academy of Music Restoration Fund. It is the Academy’s main fundraising event, funding the capital support necessary to preserve the building.
72
The Young Friends of the Academy of Music is truly a group that distinguishes itself by combining both the long-standing tradition of Philadelphia’s local investment in arts and culture with the new wave of the millennial generation’s involvement in civic engagement. They succeed in bringing a new audience in the door, taking that to the next level by building both capital and emotional investment in the Academy. From “legacy families” who have been involved with the Academy’s Restoration Fund for years and new corporate and civic leaders with a deepseeded passion for the preservation and restoration of the Academy, the Young
Friends serve as committed “ambassadors.” They work in the community to engage new constituents for the Anniversary Concert and Ball, as well as their Monsters Ball Masquerade, building awareness for the restoration and preservation needs of this very grand “Old Lady.” The 2015 158th Anniversary Concert and Ball was the first one that introduced and included the new membership structure of the Young Friends of the Academy of Music. Prior to that, participation in the Young Friends Committee was voluntary and the Committee had twenty-two paid members. As a result of the hard work and of the newly structured Committee, the Young Friends attendees at that Anniversary Concert and Ball jumped to over 200. At the time of this year’s event, the Committee had forty-three members, almost doubling the paid membership from the previous year. The Co-Chairmen and Vice Chairmen worked tirelessly to ramp-up support for the Academy events, including the Fifth Annual Monsters Ball held at The Exchange at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and the 159th Anniversary Concert and Ball. Happily, this expanded Committee resulted in increased revenue. The Monsters Ball generated a net that was donated to the Restoration Fund and the Young Friends ticket sales were trending solidly ahead of the previous year until the trajectory of “Winter Storm Jonas” changed course for Philadelphia, leading to the unprecedented cancellation of this year’s Anniversary Concert and Ball. The roster of artists who have graced the Academy of Music’s stage is a litany of the greats in the fields of music, dance, opera, ballet and theatre. As the original home of the celebrated Philadelphia Orchestra and current home to the resident companies of Opera Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Ballet, its importance as a place in the cultural fabric of a thriving Center City is unquestionable. In this legendary setting, the finest talent took to the stage and enriched each generation that passed through its doors and promises to do so for those yet to come. The future is welcomed while an illustrious past is preserved.
For more information about the 160th Academy Concert & Ball, please visit www.academyball.org or call 215.893.1978.