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Loomis Law Firm Challenge Raises
Over $99,000 in New and Increased Gifts
In December, the law firm of Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C. issued a challenge grant to the Lansing Symphony, encouraging us to raise $90,000 of new or increased contributions by June 30, 2010. The firm matched all new or increased contributions to the orchestra on a 1:3 basis. We are proud to report that as of June 30th, we have received $99,291 in new or increased gifts, resulting in a $30,000 matching contribution from the Loomis Law Firm.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this campaign and to the Loomis Law Firm for setting a wonderful example of philanthropy in our community. |
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Where in the World are LSO Musicians?
Nearly as soon as the final notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony were played, Lansing Symphony musicians took off for their summer "gigs." We love getting updates from our musicians that are teaching and performing all over the country and the world, so we thought we'd share a few of their stories with you!
Cellist Stefan Koch is Assistant Principal Cellist at the Utah Festival Opera in Logan, UT. The repertoire for the summer includes Verdi's Requiem and La Traviata, Rossini's Barber of Seville and The Sound of Music. He has recently taken up hiking, and sent the picture at the right. (He apologized for not being able to get his cello out there - we don't blame him!)
Principal Trumpet Richard Illman traveled to Sydney, Australia for the International Trumpet Guild Conference with trumpeter Nick Nichols and the Michigan State University Trumpet Ensemble. They performed an original piece written by Illman and the rest of the members of the touring ensemble.
Violinist Ji Hyun Kim also flew to Syndey, Australia to visit her family and was asked to perform at the Amateur Acoustic and Folk Guitar Fest, where she had a blast performing repertoire for violin-guitar-harmonica trio. Back in Michigan, she spent time at the Howell Nature Center teaching at MASTA's string camp. In August, she'll head to Luxembourg to perform chamber music at the Vianden International Music Festival.
Violinist Sue Garber spends her summers teaching at Blue Lake's Suzuki Family Camp and the Pennsylvania Suzuki Institute. She also performs around mid-Michigan with her Klezmer band.
Principal Trombone Ava Ordman performed with the Cramer Memorial Choir and judged the Frank Smith Concerto Competition at the International Trombone Festival in Austin, TX. She also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony at Cannonsburg, MI and Blue Lake. In August, she'll serve as Principal Trombone for the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Orchestra in Santa Cruz, CA. |
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Meet Our Summer Intern - Carrie Schalm
The Lansing Symphony staff has welcomed a wonderful addition this summer - our intern Carrie. She comes to us from the University of Michigan, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics of Finance and Risk, as well as a minor in musicology. Carrie plays piano and sings in the Arts Chorale at U of M. She took a minute out of her busy schedule of phones, grant writing and event planning to answer some questions for us:
Why did you pursue an internship with the Lansing Symphony? I’ve always been a lover of classical and especially orchestral music, and even though I’m currently working towards a Financial Math degree, I decided that I may find more enjoyment using my Music minor in my career. I began searching for internships with orchestras in Michigan, and I was very impressed with what I saw at the Lansing Symphony in terms of programming, professionalism, and organization.
What do you enjoy about your work here? I love getting a “behind-the-scenes” look at a major symphony while still working in a relatively small office. The staff here is incredible; they are enthusiastic, professional, down-to-earth, and incredibly hard working, and they’ve made me feel right at home since my first day. [Ed note: We think Carrie is pretty great too!]
What have you learned so far? I never realized just how much work and preparation goes into producing a successful concert, education program, or other Symphony event. The staff has to somehow finance the concert, bring audience members into the hall, and create an enjoyable atmosphere and program. There’s a lot to do, and I’m so grateful that I get to be a part of it all and learn about the many facets of arts management firsthand. | |
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