NRO 2022 Annual Report

2022

ANNUAL REPORT

NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA

MICHAEL STERN, MUSIC DIRECTOR

HOMETOWN:

Wheaton, Illinois

Fellow Feature

“Coming to the NRO has been a dream of mine for many years. It has been even more wonderful than I had hoped. I have gained a lot of confidence through my experiences and built long-lasting relationships. It truly has been life-changing.”

FAVORITE COMPOSERS:

Johannes Brahms

Gustav Mahler

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

EDUCATION:

DePaul University, Master of Music in Clarinet Performance, 2019-2022

Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, Bachelor of Music in Music Education, 2013-2017

FUN FACT:

Elizabeth is a music director at a church where she often performs lead vocals, percussion/drums, or synth playing.

– Elizabeth Kapitaniuk, clarinet

Photo: Elaine Collins

Table of Contents

Changing Lives Through Music!

MISSION

The National Repertory Orchestra is a preeminent intensive summer music festival developing diverse, thoughtful, and socially conscious musicians through experiential learning. We inspire young musicians to be great leaders in their communities while

Changing Lives Through Music!

VISION

Breaking barriers between education, performance and community to develop 21st century musicians!

Together Again/

MICHAEL STERN, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Photo: Elaine Collins

From the CEO

This festival truly was a summer of coming together.

Hello friends,

Welcome to the 2022 National Repertory Orchestra Annual Report. We are delighted to share with you our past Summer Music Festival and its successes.

In the pages ahead, you will read about the season by the numbers: musicians, concerts, free events and audience members. But to me, the true measure of an organization is how we affect change in the world around us. These differences are difficult to demonstrate in a calculation but much more rewarding to highlight.

We titled this season “Together Again.” Throughout the festival, we saw the importance of being together, especially while COVID-19 still reared its ugly head. Yes, we inevitably had some cases where musicians were ill. Still, I was proud of our staff and musicians for doing what it took to continue the festival resulting in minimal impact.

Our vision is to break barriers between education, performance and community to develop 21st-century musicians! So, who better to highlight “Together Again” than participants in our 2022 festival? Here are a few statements made by fellows about their experience at the NRO.

“There is nowhere I would rather be during the summer: Inspiring conductors, committed colleagues, and an incredible location all come together for one amazing experience.”

“The NRO was my favorite summer festival I have ever attended. This is a result of the community’s support of musicians, the volume and quality of music, and the camaraderie that forms among the orchestra. The beautiful scenery and nature are an added bonus!”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to perform with young talented musicians and the impact on the community that the NRO has had. I also enjoyed spending time with the host families in the beautiful scenery of Colorado.”

For me, that’s all we need to know! This festival truly was a summer of coming together. None of our accomplishments happen without you. As you venture through the pages, think about your most meaningful memory from this summer. Then ask yourself, what would life in Summit County be without the National Repertory Orchestra?

Please consider a gift today to support the musicians. Together we are Changing Lives Through Music!

Dave DePeters

Photo: Joshua Geurink

BIGGEST

“Cohesion. It exists not only among the musicians but throughout the Festival: the connections with our committed staff, a devoted audience, and the larger community. At other summer festivals, creativity, energy, and a sense of adventure are always a goal, but I have never experienced a more tight-knit community than what I have witnessed at the NRO.”

Music Director Highlights

Read the National Repertory Orchestra Impact Report.

THE

“NRO alums contribute to every corner of music throughout the country, and that will not change. That said, finding meaning and success as a 21st-century professional musician requires new perspectives and skill sets from our aspiring artists. The world has changed, and the competition within the profession has only become fiercer. The need for artists to make their voices heard is more urgent than ever. The NRO must continue to help our musicians and artists perfect their craft and art and evolve, meet challenges and seize on new opportunities to make music matter in the world.”

THE

“We want to deepen our shared understanding of what it means not only to become a better musician but also to find a way to lead a more fulfilling, meaningful and successful life in music. The NRO is taking a long view in terms of education, programs, projects, guest artists and community engagement. We want the NRO experience for all musicians to be as complete as possible and to build a foundation for this coming summer and the following years.”

THE 2022 CONCERT SEASON WITH MICHAEL STERN

BIG NEWS: Michael Stern Extends Contract with the National Repertory Orchestra Through 2024 - Read all about it here!

TAKEAWAY:

NRO’S IMPACT:

NEXT THREE YEARS:

Photo: Joshua Geurink

MICHAEL STERN , MUSIC DIRECTOR

HOMETOWN:

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Fellow Feature

EDUCATION:

Eastman School of Music

Violin Performance

Performer’s Certificate Candidate

FAVORITE COMPOSERS:

Richard Strauss

Antonín Dvořák

Gabriel Fauré

FUN FACT:

Jory loves salad and says, “A good spring mix is the way to my heart.”

“NRO has been an incredible experience. I have been challenged and pushed in ways both expected and unexpected, but I have vastly improved as a musician in this short time.”

– Jory Lane, violin

Photo: Elaine Collins

Your 2022 National Repertory Orchestra

VIOLIN

Anna Black co-concertmaster

Henry Jenkins co-concertmaster

Christophe Koenig co-principal second

Minkyung Lee co-principal second

Lana Auerbach

Amelia Bailey

Sean Diehl

Sarah Elert

Elise Haukenes

Jason Hurlbut

Mary Alice Hutton

Sam Jarvis

Ashtin Johnson

Judith Kim

Natalie Koh

Jory Lane

An-Chi Lin

Hannie McGarity

Shannon Mustard

Cole Perez

Megan Pollon

Matthew Weinberg

VIOLA

Julius Adams co-principal

Nina Weber co-principal

Tyler Joseph Brugmann

Suzie Chang

Isaac King

Mengshen Li

Nicholas Lindell

Gerald Liu

Tyler McKisson

Marco Santistevan

CELLO

Jessamyn Fry co-principal

Shinae Ra co-principal

Kyle Anderson assistant principal

Gabriel Hightower

Joe Kovac

Trevor Petersen

Haley Slaugh

DOUBLE BASS

Mark Lillie

Logan Nelson

Joseph Nuñez

Mark Stroud

Bakari Williams

FLUTE

Tyler C. Martin

Tessa Vermeulen

William Yeh

OBOE

Max Adler

Jamison Hillian

Jeehoon Kim

CLARINET

Nickolas Hamblin

Elizabeth Kapitaniuk

Michael Miller

BASSOON

Sarah Bobrow

Brigit Fitzgerald

Brendon Sill

HORN

Hyebin Cha

Colby Kleven

Rachel Nierenberg

Austin Ruff

Michael Woodard

TRUMPET

Forrest Albano

Justin Bernardi

Jacob Merrill

Patrick Smithers

TROMBONE

Andrew Danforth

Yaoji Giuseppe Fu

Derek Gullett

BASS TROMBONE

Declan Wilcox

TUBA

Ferran Martinez Miquel

TIMPANI

Hamza Able

PERCUSSION

Griffin Harrison

Theodore Jackson

Justin Ochoa

Aaron Smith

HARP

Claire Thai

PIANO

Thomas Steigerwald

Photo: Joshua Guerink

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Pam Piper Yeung, President

Rick Poppe, Vice President

Anne Mills, Treasurer

John Landon, Secretary

Libby Bortz

Sam Bufford

Barbara Calvin

NRO SUSTAINERS

The People Behind the Mission

Johanna Gibbs

Dan Kapustka

Patrice Lara

Sally Queen

Beth Steele

Emily Wahl

Stephen Worrall

The Sustainers are past board members or significant contributors to the National Repertory Orchestra of their time, talent, and treasure. The Sustainers are likeminded people who raise awareness and funds for the Orchestra to ensure that live orchestral music is available for future generations to enjoy, both locally and globally.

Paul Finkel, Co-Chair

Sandra Mortensen, Co-Chair

Murray and Marlene Altman

Carlie and Terry Barnhart

Michael Altenberg* and Libby Bortz

Ann Brewster

Barbara and Jim Calvin

Geraldine Cohen

M.A. Deen

JoAnn Falletta

John Fielder

Robert and Nancy* Follett

Nancy and Tom* French

Annette and Gerry Fricke

Pamela and Reggie Gray

Robin Hadley

Annette and Ken Hallock

Joan Manley Houlton

John Krakauer*

Anne and John* Kern

Jane and Don* King

Anita and James Kreider

Patrice and Ron Lara

Anne and Bill* Mills

Harriet Neiman

Ann and Tom Rader

Barbara Strauss

Kate and James* Taucher

Jack Thomas*

Pam and Sonny Wiegand

Lou Wagner

Dr. Glen and Bobbie Zelkind

*Deceased

NRO LEGAL COUNSEL

Barbara Vonderheid, Vonderheid and Associates, P.C.

Sonny Wiegand, Wiegand, Attorneys and Counselors, LLC

ENDOWMENT TRUSTEES

John Landon

Ron Lara

Anne Mills

Bruce Queen

John Stafford

Barbara Vonderheid

ACCOUNTING

Gerald Fricke (Volunteer)

Breckenridge Bookkeeping

YEAR-ROUND STAFF

Dave DePeters, CEO

Michael Stern, Music Director

Carl Topilow, Music Advisor

Åsa Armstrong, Director of Development

Carrie Benefiel, Director of Marketing

Debbie Higgs, Director of Finance

Danial Howard, Director of Operations and Education

Mary Quinn, Office and Housing Manager

2022 SUMMER STAFF

Darrin Blume, Production Manager

David Bullman, Orchestra Manager

Paul Gunther, Principal Librarian

Kristin Baird, Community Engagement Manager

Grey Fulmer, Assistant Librarian

Liam McBane, Assistant Production Manager

Lea Baumert-Patterson, Stage Manager

David Schreck, Recording Engineer

2022 SUMMER FELLOWS

Joe Buzelli, Production Fellow

Rachael Chen, Marketing Fellow

Dan Dardon, CEO Assistant Fellow

Amanda Frampton, Personnel Fellow

Brittney Geurink, Development Fellow

Joshua Geurink, Marketing and Photography Fellow

Claire Salli, Artist Liaison Fellow

Aidan Taylor, Production Fellow

Nicole VerMeulen, Development Fellow

Taylor Zin, Library Fellow

In keeping with our dedication to equal rights and opportunities for all people, the National Repertory Orchestra is committed to fostering an organizational culture where all people are treated fairly, valued for their differences, and given equal opportunities to maximize their success.

Photo: Joshua Geurink

Audience and Community

The eight-week National Repertory Orchestra summer festival featured 79 musicians animating Summit County and beyond with 105 live performances that reached 17,296 music enthusiasts.

11,130 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED 18 ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES

6,166 INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED 87 FREE MUSIC EVENTS

15 TICKETED CONCERTS 6,003

5,127

3 FREE CONCERTS

92% OF SURVEYED AUDIENCE MEMBERS SAID THEY WOULD RETURN TO SUMMIT COUNTY FOR ANOTHER CONCERT SEASON

100% OF AUDIENCE MEMBERS SAID THAT NRO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PERFORMANCES ENHANCED THEIR EXPERIENCE IN SUMMIT COUNTY.

OPEN REHEARSALS

2,278 ATTENDEES

36 COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES

3,888

What audience members said they liked most:

√ High level of professionalism of the amazing young talent AND the remarkable program curation by the music director

√ Quality of music

√ The music selection variety

51 BUILDING HOPE SUMMIT COUNTY

CONCERT BENEFICIARIES:

KEYSTONE SCIENCE SCHOOL

SUMMIT COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS

YOUTH AND MUSIC EDUCATION

Through collaborative partnerships, music lessons and bilingual music initiatives the NRO engaged pre-K and K-12 students in the classroom and throughout Summit County and beyond.

OCEANS OF POSSIBILITIES

A collaborative, national summer reading program

• Main Branch Library, Frisco

• South Branch Library, Breckenridge

• Vail Public Library

SONIC BOOM!™

The NRO presented Sonic Boom! for preschools and day camps in Summit County. The initiative was an entertaining “how-to” series that established a foundation for listening to and appreciating music for young listeners. Inspired by the musical storytelling of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, the program integrated illustrated stories with music to promote music literacy and guide young audiences in “audiation” – connecting music and imagination. Sonic Boom! was developed by Callan Milani, a 2010 NRO alumnus.

Summit County Music Lessons Scholarships (SCMLS)

The National Repertory Orchestra supported music education in Summit County. Through SCMLS, middle and high school students already engaged in a music program received equitable access to private instruction with local musicians and teachers.

20 STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2022

NRO at Breckenridge Library

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS

THE NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA, SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL ARTS SCHOLARSHIP

The NRO is honored to support the hopes and dreams of a graduating Summit High School senior pursuing a degree in the field of Arts or Arts Administration with a scholarship, annually.

FUTURE CITY COLORADO COMPETITION

The Future City Colorado Virtual Regional Competition was held on Saturday, January 22nd, 2022. Team Risaikuru from Liberty Classical Academy was the winner of the National Repertory Orchestra STEAM Ahead Award by creatively incorporating art and culture in their waste-free city design by using principles of a circular economy.

VOLUNTEERS

We cherish our volunteers who work tirelessly to support the NRO musicians, staff, and the community year-round through:

• Committees

• Community Link Programs

• Open Rehearsals

• Special Events

• Ushers

173 VOLUNTEERS

VOLUNTEER TODAY! NROmusic.org

5,726

VOLUNTEER HOURS

As a local organization with a global reach, the NRO is dedicated to Changing Lives Through Music, by educating and entertaining people of all ages, fostering talent, creating future audiences, and inspiring creativity in students, families, teachers, and lifelong learners.

NRO Ushers

Alumni String Quartet

The National Repertory Orchestra Alumni String Quartet supported free and interactive community engagement events through Summit County and beyond.

ALUMNI STRING QUARTET PERFORMANCE VENUES:

Blue River Plaza, Breckenridge

Barney Ford House Museum, Breckenridge

Newman Center for the Performing Arts Donor Reception, Denver

Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, Silverthorne

Wind Crest Senior Living Community, Highlands Ranch

Audrey Lee violin

Alumna

& 2018

Alumni String Quartet

Edwardo Rios viola

Alumnus

& 2017

Alumni String Quartet

Sara Page cello

Sabrina Parry violin

Guest Conduvtors

Carl Topilow, NRO Music Advisor

Teddy Abrams

Nic McGegan

Tania Miller

Jason Seber

Steven Schick

Special Guests

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Ms. Javian is Chair of Career Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music and a leader in the Community Engagement field. Her teachings nurture social interaction, helping NRO musicians create innovative and experiential programming to connect with diverse audiences.

Joshua Bell, violin

Larisa Martínez, soprano

Connor Bogart O’Brien, vocalist

Jamie Bernstein, speaker

Mary Javian

Fellow Feature

“My summer at NRO as the 2022 CEO Administrative Assistant Fellow was extraordinarily rich in learning and practice. It was an INVALUABLE experience for me when I was at a crossroad in my professional and educational career.

I would highly recommend spending a summer with the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge!”

– Dan Dardon, CEO Administrative Assistant Fellow

HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois

EDUCATION: Vanderbilt University, Bachelor of Music 2023

BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

“Never be comfortable with just good enough.”

FUN FACT:

Dan studied Tuba Performance with Gil Long of the Nashville Symphony and often performs with Chattanooga Symphony. He also filled in for the NRO during the 2022 concert season!

Photo: Elaine Collins

Bell, Stern and Berstein

THE STARS ALIGNED FOR THE MUSICAL EVENT OF THE SUMMER!

On Saturday, July 9, 2022, the National Repertory Orchestra made its debut at the June Swaner Gates Concert Hall at the Robert & Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts for Bell, Stern and Bernstein in memory of Kathie and Michael Massey, NRO Board President (2019 – 2022). The event starred world-renowned violinist, Joshua Bell and was presented by CPR Classical.

CONCERT ATTENDEES 786

SAVE THE DATE:

Midori Serenade - Denver

Michael Stern, conductor

Midori, violin

Sunday, July 23, 2023 | 3:00 PM

Tickets: $5 - $85

nro.newmantix.com

Management for Mr. Bell: Park Avenue Artists, parkavenueartists.com. Mr. Bell records exclusively for Sony Classical – a MASTERWORKS label.

Financial Summary

Thanks to generous supports during the 2022 concert season, the NRO received $612,949 in deferred funding for the 2023 concert season.

Financial Summary

REVENUE

Contributions

Fundraising Events

Concert Revenue

Audition Tour

Miscellaneous

Endowment Distribution

EXPENSES

Education & Concert Production

Personnel

Administrative

Fundraising Events

Marketing

Miscellaneous

Unapplied

Michael Stern, conductor

Midori, violin

On the Program:

Samuel Barber: Medea's Dance of Vengeance

Leonard Bernstein: Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium)

Iván Enrique Rodríguez: Luminis

Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloë, Suite No. 2

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Changing Lives Through Music!

Midori by Nigel Parry

for the complete NRO concert schedule and ticket info!

MICHAEL STERN, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Alumni Spotlight - Josephine Stockwell

HOMETOWN:

Benicia, California

EDUCATION:

Oberlin Conservatory, Bachelor of Music

Northwestern University, Master of Music

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

“Keep trusting the process and don’t forget to breathe when things feel intense!”

FUN FACT:

Josephine was a competitive figure skater!

I remember how excited I was when I was invited to join the NRO and the responsibility I felt to rise to the occasion. One of my favorite parts of the experience was having a host family and getting to see Breckenridge through more than a tourist’s eyes. That summer was also a special one for me socially as I was lucky to have a collection of friends I felt a strong sense of belonging with. And, I hiked Fourteeners for the first time in my life which was so thrilling and satisfying!

My time there also felt like important growth for me in becoming an independent adult, navigating the thrilling and intense environment around me, trying to make the most of all the music-making, communitybuilding, appreciating nature, and being present as much as possible.

I grew to trust my ability to do focused work under pressure before rehearsals and concerts because we often had such limited time to prepare. I also gained lots

of tools from the conductors we worked with that I think about to this day in rehearsals with other orchestras.

As a member of the Israel Philharmonic, I am using many skillsets I strengthened and learned at NRO. First and foremost, how to do effective work on new repertoire quickly (we have lots of performances and quite an intense schedule compared to other orchestras). I also learned how to view each standpartnership as a dance as that was always changing at NRO and I needed to adapt (same here in Israel where sometimes I have a different standpartner for every concert).

Beyond music, I had to be courageous with navigating a new country and culture. The experience is so much more thrilling when I embrace it, and I definitely was pushed out of my comfort zone at NRO in many ways (and all for the best!). Those experiences at the National Repertory Orchestra paved the way for the skills I have now.

Spotlight on Philanthropy

The National Repertory Orchestra is immensely grateful to the many individuals, philanthropic foundations, government agencies and corporate partners who contributed to the Orchestra in Fiscal Year 2022.

$612,949 Restricted Fund Contributions

$1,458,937 PHILANTHROPIC DONATIONS

$514,035 Individual Contributions

$187,125 Grant and Foundation Contributions

$144,828 Endowment Contributions

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS

$69,422

Photo: Elaine Collins

SUPPORT YOUR ORCHESTRA!

There are many ways to make a tax-deductible and tangible difference to the National Repertory Orchestra and the future of classical music.

Please visit NROmusic.org/donate to learn more about giving opportunities that aligns with your philanthropic goal.

Carl Topilow Society

Named in honor of Carl Topilow, Music Director of the NRO, 19782020. The society was launched in 2021 to continue to strengthen NRO’s vision of breaking barriers between education, performance, and community to develop 21st century musicians.

The premier recognition society honors philanthropists who give $10,000 annually in support of the National Repertory Orchestra with extraordinary music experiences and meaningful access to the Orchestra.

MICHAEL STERN , MUSIC DIRECTOR

HOMETOWN:

San Antonio, Texas

Fellow Feature

“NRO really immersed me in a lot of serious repertoire at a high level. It was like orchestra boot camp in the most helpful way possible, which will benefit me as I start a fellowship with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the fall.”

– Justin Ochoa, percussion

FAVORITE COMPOSERS

Olivier Messiaen

Pierre Boulez

Gabriela Ortiz

EDUCATION:

University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Music, 2019

Colburn School, Master of Music, 2023

FUN FACT:

Justin enjoys Boxing and has been throwing punches in the ring since 2018!

Photo: Joshua Geurink

Awards of Excellence

Anne Mills

MICHAEL ALTENBERG LEADERSHIP AWARD

This award was created in honor of those individuals who have demonstrated exceptional foresight, fortitude and dedication to the NRO’s mission. The recipient sets a standard of patronage, volunteerism and financial support that few have achieved.

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is given in recognition of outstanding service, dedication and support of the NRO.

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

This award is given annually to an individual or couple that demonstrates long-term exemplary support, not only of the NRO but many Summit County non-profit organizations.

ROBIN HADLEY PHILANTHROPY AWARD

This award is given in recognition of the unparalleled financial support of the NRO and other arts and cultural organizations in Summit County.

Bob Follett

Cap and Suzy Iliff Witzler

Sally and Bruce Queen

Program Supporters

Special thanks to the following funders and partners for supporting critical programs that share the power of music with all.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUPPORTERS

Barbara Strauss and Paul A. Finkel

Pat and Steve Larson Rotary Club of Summit County Slifer Smith & Frampton Foundation

LODGING PARTNERS MEDIA PARTNERS

COLLABORATION PARTNERS

Breck Film Festival

Breckenridge Creative Arts

Breckenridge History

Breckenridge Tourism Office

CREATIVE & EVENT PARTNERS

Building Hope Summit County Lake Dillon Theatre Company Summit School District

NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA

June 24 – August 12, 2023 Breckenridge, CO

Changing Lives Through Music!

GUEST CONDUCTORS

JoAnne Falletta

Jeffrey Kahane

Ken-David Masur

Tania Miller

Jason Seber

Carl Topilow, Music Director Laureate

GUEST ARTISTS

Jeffrey Kahane, piano

Midori, violin

STERN, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Photo: Elaine Collins

MICHAEL

To download the FREE NRO App!

MUSIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL STERN