Issuu

2025-2026 ANNUAL REPORT TO MEMBERS

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE,

As I reflect on my first year as President of the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, I am filled with gratitude and joy. Serving in this role has been a privilege, and I am deeply thankful for the support, service, and spirit you have shared throughout this remarkable year as we celebrate the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 100th Anniversary. And as I write this, the celebration is far from over—we are looking forward to the symphony’s gift to the community: the Centennial Festival Weekend, June 13–14 at Overture.

This past year has been a tribute to what we can achieve together as we partnered with the symphony to deliver a memorable, year-long celebration of music. Our signature opening weekend events—featuring renowned pianist Olga Kern—concluded with a beautifully decorated celebratory dinner in Overture Hall on Friday that sold out. Saturday brought a fresh new twist, with breathtaking performances by the Cirque de la Symphonie artists. Through Parties of Note, we built new connections and strengthened existing relationships across our league, while significantly advancing our mission to support the Madison Symphony Orchestra. These events exemplify the heart of MSOL: a shared passion for music, community, and service.

Our Member Fall Kickoff, quarterly luncheons, and Discovery Talks brought us together and renewed our commitment to a greater purpose. Thanks to your support and generosity, MSOL has made meaningful financial contributions that bolster the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s artistic vision, educational outreach, financial strength, and community engagement. From supporting youth music education programs, to expanding access to symphonic experiences for broader audiences, to helping ensure the orchestra continues to thrive artistically, our league plays a vital role in making these goals a reality.

I extend my deepest thanks to our board, volunteers, event chairs, and every member who contributed time, resources, and energy. I look forward to leading this organization as we celebrate MSOL’s 70th anniversary and usher in the next century of music with the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

Rozan Anderson President, Madison Symphony Orchestra League 2025-2026

Photo by Peter Rodgers

The mission of the Madison Symphony Orchestra League shall be to support the artistic, educational, financial, and community engagement goals of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

2024-2025 MSOL OFFICERS

Rozan Anderson President

Don Sanford President Elect

Barbara Berven Past President/Nominations

Ledell Zellers

Recording Secretary

Leslie Overton

Treasurer

Janet Renschler

Corresponding Secretary

Louise Jeanne VP, Administration

Kathy Forde VP, Communications

Lori Poulson VP, Education

Jessica Yehle VP, Membership Recruitment & Retention

Michael Bridgeman VP, Membership Records

Lynn Stegner VP, Special Projects

Jan Cibula VP, Social Activities

STAYING CONNECTED

Throughout the year, we’ve continued to keep our members informed and engaged through a variety of communication channels. Our MSOL Facebook page and monthly email newsletters have been invaluable tools for sharing news, highlighting member opportunities, and celebrating our many successes. We are also proud to be featured in MSOL program guide, which extends our reach and reinforces our shared mission.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

In collaboration with the MSO’s Director of Education and Community Engagement, the Madison Symphony Orchestra League proudly supports a range of awardwinning educational programs that reach thousands of area children each year. The Hunt Quartet, the resident string quartet of the MSO’s nationally-recognized Up Close & Musical® program, brings music to the elementary school classrooms. In addition, they performed two public recitals. Through our partnerships with local schools, we help make classical music accessible and meaningful for students of all ages. Highlights of the 2025–2026 season include the Topitzes Family Fall Youth Concerto Competition, Fall Youth Concerts, Bolz Young Artist Competition, The Final Forte, Spring Young People’s Concert, Symphony Soup, and Link Up. The Rhapsodie Quartet, through the HeartStrings program, brings a full season of music to senior resident communities, including a public recital.

DISCOVERY TALKS

Each season, the Discovery Talks offer our members a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the music presented by the Madison Symphony Orchestra. These free, engaging events align with the symphony’s programming and are designed to enhance the concertgoing experience through insightful conversation and context. This year, we were honored to welcome PBS radio host and historian Norman Gilliland who guided us through the theme of “Heartbeat and Triumph,” and Chris Allen, President of the Madison Classical Guitar Association, who shared information about composer Joaquin Rodrigo and “Concierto Andaluz” and performed parts of the work on guitar. These talks continue to be a favorite among members and a meaningful way to connect with the music and the artists who bring it to life.

Photo by Peter Rodgers

MEMBERSHIP

Our members share a deep love of music and a common purpose—to support the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s artistic, educational, and community goals. Together, we build lasting friendships, create meaningful impact, and celebrate the power of music to bring people together.

The MSOL is pleased to welcome eight individual, nine household and one lifetime members this year:

• Linda and Andy Ableman

• Todd Andrews

• Shirley Ann Chosy

• Jane & Bruce Fischer

• Gary Goyke & Nancy Rottier

• Mary & John Holbrook

• Glenn Karlov

• Jerome & Marilyn Lawler

• Jane Leahy

• Brandon & Allie Lewis

• Barb Melchert

• Nancy L. Priegel

• Douglas B. & Rosemary K. Moore

• Ron Nief & Joanna Kutter

• Patience Roggensack

• C athy & Jon Steinhauer

• Doris Van Houten

The MSOL has 361 members as

MSOL Financial Support of the Madison Symphony Orchestra

$85,000 general gift for 2025-2026 to support Community & Education Programs

$5,000 Link Up 2025-2026

$17,000 September 2025 Centennial Opening Weekend Lead Sponsor Cirque de la Symphonie

$10,000 MSO at the Movies Toy Story sponsorship for October 2025

$10,000 Concert Sponsorship for Tania Miller, Rachel Barton Pine, February 2026

$10,000 Family Concert June 2026

$8,000 Centennial Final Concert Exclusive Guest Artist Sponsor for Julian Rhee June 2026

Total: $145,000

In Memoriam

Clare McArdle

Kennedy Gilchrist

Sylvia Graf

Patricia Lautman

Edward Young

Charles Casey

Photo

TKTK

MSOL: WHERE FRIENDS AND MUSIC MEET!

The Madison Symphony Orchestra League is built on the connections we form through music, fellowship, and shared sense of purpose. Throughout the year, our social events bring members and friends together to celebrate, strengthen relationships, have fun, learn, and advance the MSOL’s mission.

At the center of our social calendar are the award-winning Parties of Note, an exciting series of unique, themed gatherings hosted by 30+ generous MSOL members and supporters. Don Sanford, committee chair, was pleased to report that your Parties of Note Committee made a lot of friends during our 2025 season. Our 14 distinct parties welcomed nearly 370 guests, raised $27,066 in revenue, strengthened relationships across the MSOL, and directly resulted in new members joining our league. Each party reflected the warmth and creativity of our community.

In addition to Parties of Note, the MSOL hosted five memorable seasonal gatherings:

Chaired by Jessica Yehle, the Fall Member Kickoff Party welcomed nearly 70 MSOL members and guests at the Findorff offices for a fun social time that included facility tours, prize drawings, and refreshments. It was the perfect way to kick off our season.

The Fall Luncheon was held at Blackhawk Country Club, graciously hosted by Mary Lou Tyne, and featured music by clarinetist JJ Koh, whose performance captivated everyone in the room.

Our Holiday Dinner, hosted by Pat Bernhardt and Rosemarie Blancke at Maple Bluff Country Club, was an elegant and festive evening that brought members together to celebrate the spirit of the season.

The Mid-Winter Luncheon, hosted by Valerie Kazamias at the Madison Club, featured MSO Board President Michael Richman, who spoke about the search process for the MSO Music Director.

We now look forward to the Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting, to be held again at Maple Bluff Country Club, hosted by Rosemarie Blancke, where we’ll reflect on the year’s accomplishments and look ahead to what’s next.

MSOL Bridge continues to be a favorite tradition among members. According to Bridge Chairs Marilyn Ebben and Jim Patch, participation remains strong, with 36 women and 20 men playing monthly, typically paired with lunch at one of Madison’s fine country clubs. Additionally, 10 couples participate in the MSOL Couples Bridge group, which meets six times each season and concludes with a delightful dinner and bridge event at the Madison Club.

Whether over a game of bridge, a beautifully set table, or a shared love of music, these social gatherings are the heart of our league— bringing us together in celebration, friendship, and purpose.

TOGETHER IN MUSIC— A 100 th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

The Madison Symphony Orchestra League partnered with MSO to kick off the orchestra’s 100th anniversary season with a weekend of WOWs! On Friday, September 19, classical music lovers experienced the pure joy of hearing the music of Tchaikovsky performed by our incredible symphony orchestra and internationally known pianist Olga Kern. Following this stunning performance and a cocktail reception, Elaine Mischler and Derrick Smith, co-chairs of the 100th Anniversary Steering Committee, were joined by Event Chair Barbara Berven in welcoming guests to a celebratory dinner in the Overture Hall lobby. A champagne toast was joyously raised to the symphony’s 100-year history, as documented in a brief video presentation. Among the evening’s many highlights were the favorite memories shared by Maestro DeMain of his illustrious career in classical and operatic music.

The anniversary celebration will culminate June 13 and 14 with a Centennial Festival Weekend, presented as a gift to the community from the MSO. Attendees will be treated to two FREE days, twenty-five hours, and fifty-plus artists performing on five stages at the Overture Center. Beginning on Saturday, June 13, the entire Overture Center will become a vibrant venue for visual art exhibits, demonstrations, lectures, family-friendly activities, food vendors, and, of course, MUSIC of all kinds. Music genres include blues, Cuban and Caribbean rhythms, pop, New Orleans and other styles of jazz, salsa, folk, country, big band, youth choirs, classical, etc. Anchoring the performance schedule will be a family concert on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.,

The magic continued on Saturday, September 20, with breath-taking performances by Cirque de la Symphonie artists. Aerialists soared, jugglers juggled, and contortionists contorted to music from famous film scores performed by our symphony under the baton of Maestro DeMain. An after-party featuring DJ Terrance J lured partiers to the dance floor with a diverse set of musical selections across a wide span of eras and genres. These events raised $75,000 for the MSOL.

and Overture concert organ performance at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday at 4:30 p.m., Maestro DeMain will conduct his final “official” performance as MSO’s music director. MSOL volunteers will be on hand throughout the weekend to welcome guests and assist with all of the logistical elements of this grand event.

This momentous celebration of “100 Years Together in Music” has been years in the planning, and MSOL is proud to be part of the team to bring this celebration to fruition. The League congratulates the MSO on this milestone as we join with many to celebrate the past, embrace the present, and empower the future of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

To volunteer, scan the QR code and select a time to participate.

222 W. Washington Ave Suite 460 Madison, WI 53703

Follow MSOL on Facebook

Rozan Anderson President

Don Sanford President Elect

Ledell Zellers Recording Secretary

Leslie Overton Treasurer