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As a Patrons’ Circle member or subscriber
or single ticket buyer, you are a valued supporter of Opera in Concert. I
want to thank you for that support and to share with you our hopes for
artistic renewal and growth. We achieved a long-time goal when we moved
into our new home, The Edward Jackman Centre. For the first time we have our
own rehearsal space with connected administration office. Our rehearsals are
enhanced thanks to the generous donation by our founder, Stuart Hamilton of a
baby grand piano. Opera in Concert continues its tradition
of great musical accomplishment. Our productions have garnered enthusiastic
receptions from our audiences and glowing reviews from The Toronto Star, The
Globe and Mail, The National Post, Classical 96.3 FM and other media. We continue to promote young Canadian
singers and take pride in those who have gone on to national and
international careers. We lead the way in introducing our discerning
audiences to innovative programming of operas seldom, if ever, heard in
Canada. We have exciting plans for the future. We
hope to: § Restore
performances with a full orchestra and/or additional productions with smaller
orchestras. § Expand our performances
and return to two performances of many of our non-orchestra operas, each with
a principal cast to benefit more young singers. § Establish an
outreach program for students to attend rehearsals at The Edward Jackman
Centre. § Begin an “Opera
Abridged” program, featuring young artists in informal, narrated afternoon
and evening sessions, aimed at students and others new to opera, at The
Edward Jackman Centre. Now, let’s involve you! It Takes Money! As with other non-profit performing arts
organizations, Opera in Concert cannot exist, let alone thrive, on
subscriptions and individual ticket sales alone. In fact, those sources meet only about 25% of our budget
(You know that our tickets are a bargain!). Government grants are very
important and cover 32% of our budget. It is supporters such as you who will
make a vital difference, enabling us to reach our goal of raising an
additional $25,000.00 in each of the next three years. We believe that such
an amount, while large, is necessary if we are to achieve the vision I have
described. I am therefore respectfully asking you to
become a Patrons’ Circle member by making a donation to Opera in Concert and
committing to do so for the next three years. It is only with a firm
commitment from our supporters that we can begin to take the steps towards
achieving our goals. Please make use Opera in Concert Patrons Circle
Pledge Form or call
us at 416-922-2147 for more information. It Takes People! In
addition to financial support, there are other things you can do to help. Please talk us up! Mention Opera in
Concert to your friends and acquaintances who are interested in vocal music
in general or opera in particular. We always want to expand our audience. Please think about individuals, small
businesses and companies that might be interested in contributing to Opera in
Concert’s growth, as a sponsor or patron. Because of the relatively small
size of our audience, large corporations perceive that the publicity value of
sponsorship is limited. However, there may be smaller businesses that would
see an opportunity, such as a media sponsorship through Classical 96.3 FM.
Your ideas will be most welcome. Become an Opera in Concert volunteer. As an
example, we need people to follow up with these letters we are sending out to
patrons, subscribers and attendees. We appreciate assistance with special
fundraising events. We are anxious to expand and strengthen our
organizational structure. Please contact us if you are interested. In summary, we urge you to commit to
assisting Opera in Concert in its plan of artistic renewal and growth. We are
a unique opera company in North America. While other music organizations may
occasionally present operatic concerts, we are alone in presenting a full
season of lesser-known but very worthy and enjoyable operas, while assisting
young and talented Canadian singers to launch their careers. We need your help and we trust that you
will respond with generosity towards and pride in Opera in Concert. With that
support we can take what we have done for the last 30 years and expand it –
for another 30 years. Yours cordially, Gordon D. Baird Chairman, Board of Directors Opera in Concert |
