SYMPHONY LEAGUE | Annual Report

Our 45th year of “Making Music Happen” was busy, exciting and fun filled. In considering our accomplishments, we owe a debt of gratitude to our outstanding board and many great volunteers. Without them we could not have raised a total of $37,200 from our projects and endowment income.

The League and SC Philharmonic representatives met in August to determine how we might better work together and enhance communication. The Philharmonic office staff and board chairman communicated regularly with the League via email, provided representatives at our meetings to bring us up to date on goings on in our orchestra and in the orchestra business generally, and presented an orientation on the operation of the orchestra to our Board of Directors. This resulted in a terrific year of Symphony League/SC Philharmonic collaboration.

Yearbooks were redesigned in notebook form. Members will retain their notebooks to update in years to come. This will be more efficient and cost effective. The League will be able to update directly from the printer via e-mail, making updates and changes much more quickly than in the past.

The Nominating Committee reported it has become increasingly difficult to fill all twenty-six positions now on the board due to the disparity of responsibilities and time commitments among the many positions. In response, the Symphony League Board unanimously approved the Nominating Committee’s motion to allow flexibility to revise job descriptions, combine positions and eliminate some positions for 2011-2012 in order to better balance responsibilities and improve effectiveness. This was not a by-laws change so a vote by the membership was not required.

Our volunteers provided breakfast and lunch to the Philharmonic Orchestra musicians at Young People’s Concerts in February. The League funded $1,500 to support the concerts and held a Past President’s Luncheon in May for the Youth Orchestra. From the funds raised at the Luncheon, $1,100 went to help pay the costs of the Youth Orchestras.

Fruit baskets donated by the Piggly-Wiggly on Forest Drive were presented to master series guest artists. Two after-concert receptions were sponsored by the Symphony League with members donating most of the food.

The Symphony League’s Arthur Fraser Piano Concerto Competition was held in conjunction with the USC’s Southeastern Piano Festival in June. Second and third place winners will play in a Master Series Concert of November 5th. The first place winner will play in a Master Series Concert during the 2012-2013 season. The Symphony League supports this educational experience and opportunity with a $4,000 contribution.

Our projects this year consisted of three major efforts. Two First Chair parties were held. Besides providing wonderful events and raising awareness of Philharmonic Concerts, these events brought a profit of over $13,000. Our other project was The Valentine Ball February 13, where we had 155 people in attendance in the Ambassador Ballroom at The Embassy Suites Hotel. We were entertained by dancers from the Columbia’s Ballroom Company, danced to Dick Goodwin’s Big Band, crowned a queen and enjoyed a gourmet meal. Over $12,000 was raised at this event.

From the 2010-2011 Fund-Raising Projects, the Symphony League gave $13,600 to the Philharmonic for general operating expenses and $6,367 to the Symphony League Endowment Fund. An additional contribution of $1,000 was provided from a private donor.

Symphony League members provided direct contributions to the Philharmonic through the Beyond Measure Campaign. The total amount raised (pledges and paid) is $137,375. The Marjorie Wallace/Cornelia Freeman Fund has raised $1,575.

From the Symphony League Endowment Fund income, we provided $16,000 to the South Carolina Philharmonic. Members and friends contribute to the endowment throughout the year because of special celebrations and memorials. Also, twenty-five percent of profits from projects go to the Endowment Fund yearly, and an honorarium is contributed to the Endowment for each General Membership Meeting guest artist or speaker.

Symphony League has an individual membership of approximately 275. Bringing in new members and participation by all members are major goals. General Membership Meetings were held in September, November, February, April, and May. We were pleased with the attendance at each meeting, thanks to members, guests, hostesses, speakers, and guest artists.

The League published four issues of the Crescendo in order to keep League members and supporters informed of League and Philharmonic news. Frequent email announcements have enhanced communications with board members as well as the general membership.

Our website, www.scsymphonyleague.com, was updated and expanded to include facebook.com/symphonyleague and twitter.com/symphonyleague.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as president. We have a hard working Board and wonderful supportive members and volunteers. I thank all of you for your dedicated support and your contribution of time, talents, and funding.

ANNUAL REPORT | July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

The Symphony League had a busy and exciting 2009 - 2010 year. In reflecting on our accomplishments it became clear that we owe a debt of gratitude to our board members and many other volunteers. Thanks to the board for their exceptional work in improving our governing programs for the League. The board focused on the business and management aspects of the League by developing a policy and procedures manual to help members better perform their volunteer activities, reviewed legal matters to ensure we are better protected from liability and explored ways in which to better serve the SC Philharmonic.

The League continued its strong financial support of the SCP through our various contributions and by becoming a part of the SCP’s capital campaign, “Beyond Measure.” While fundraising was slightly off due to the economic downturn, we were very fortunate to be able to continue our high level of support to the SCP. Thanks to the Symphony League Endowment we were able to contribute $17,000 to the SCP. This is only $1,000 less than the Endowment donated last year. We also provided $1,500 to the SCP for the young people’s concerts and $16,684.80 from our Special Projects which include the Valentine’s Ball and First Chair Gourmet parties. We supported the Arthur Fraser International Concerto Competition with a $4,000 donation. We had a very successful Past President’s Luncheon that raised an additional $1,225.65 at the Past Presidents' Luncheon. At the time of this writing our total contributions to supporting music in the Midlands was $40,410.05.

Note: Our total project income was $22,246.39. Pursuant to our operating procedures we donated ¼ of that revenue to the Symphony League Endowment. That amount was $5,561.59 which resulted in the remaining balance of $16,684.80 being given as a direct contribution to the SCP.\

Service and education are fundamental to our League mission. The League continued the tradition of sponsoring two post concert receptions. All Master Series guests were treated to gift baskets. The League continued to sponsor the Arthur Fraser Competition by providing a financial contribution and hands on assistance during the week long event. In addition to contributing $1,500 toward the Young People’s Concerts, League volunteers prepared and served meals to the musicians.

The mission of the League is to support the Philharmonic. This year our two fundraising activities were the First Chair Gourmet Parties and the Valentine Ball. These projects involved not only League members and their spouses but also many friends and supporters of the League. The events were entertaining and very profitable and served to heighten community awareness of the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Symphony League. As we supported the Philharmonic through League activities we also moved to provide direct financial contributions by joining the SCP’s Capital Campaign. The League formed a committee to solicit contributions from members.

Membership is key to our success. We lost some members due to the economic downturn, but maintained over 300 members during the past year. We held five general membership meetings, all of which were informative and entertaining.

Communications keeps the League informed. We provided the membership with a detailed yearbook outlining League activities and members. Frequent e-mail announcements enhanced communications with the general membership. Our website, www.scsymphonyleague.com, was updated and expanded.

It was an honor to serve as your president. I am thankful to the leadership for making this year a success and for donating their time and talent to making the Midlands a better place to live and work.

ANNUAL REPORT | July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009

What an exciting time for the Symphony League and the South Carolina Philharmonic! The 2008-2009 season was exceptional, marking both the debut of our talented new Music Director, Morihiko Nakahara, and the 45 th Anniversary of the Philharmonic. It was an excellent year for Symphony League fundraising as well. We remain Platinum Level sponsors of the Philharmonic, our contributions totaling well over $40,000 once again. Thanks to our many wonderful volunteers!

Once again the League sponsored two post-concert receptions, the first following the October Master Series Concert featuring winners of the 2008 Arthur Fraser Piano Concerto Competition, and the second following the March concert. League members provided a wonderful assortment of delicious hors d’oeuvres for the receptions.
All Master Series guest artists were presented with a welcome basket.
The League contributed $1500 toward the Young People’s Concerts held in February and provided refreshments for the musicians on concert days.
The League sponsored the 2009 Arthur Fraser International Piano Concerto Competition in conjunction with the University of South Carolina School of Music’s Southeastern Piano Festival held in June. In addition to the League’s $4000 contribution, many volunteers assisted with the festival. Mrs. Arthur Fraser attended and was presented with a bouquet of flowers by the League during the winners’ recital. The League also assisted with travel expenses for the 2008 Arthur Fraser winners, who performed with the Philharmonic in October 2008.
The League contributed $1000 to the South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestras. These funds were raised at the Past Presidents’ Luncheon held in April.

Our two major fundraisers for 2008-2009 were the First Chair Gourmet Parties and the Valentine Ball. These projects involved not only League members and their spouses but also many friends and supporters of the League. The events were entertaining and very profitable and served to heighten community awareness of the South Carolina Philharmonic and the Symphony League.

The League sponsored 14 First Chair events during the year. The lineup included perennial favorites such as the Kentucky Derby Party and several new events like the popular Magic and Maestro and a more casual evening of Hot Dogs and Wine. Generous hosts and co-hosts covered the cost of each event, yielding a profit of $19,281.
The Valentine Ball, with guest of honor Morihiko Nakahara, kicked off a Valentine Weekend that also included a Master Series Concert. Guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and dancing to the music of the Dick Goodwin Band at Forest Lake Club. Live and silent auctions added to the festivities and provided additional revenue. The profits from this gala totaled $13,069 after all expenses were paid.

The Past Presidents’ Luncheon was held at Dupre’s new restaurant on Senate Street. Music Director Morihiko Nakahara and Philharmonic Executive Director Rhonda Hunsinger were special guests at the luncheon. This event raised $1000 for the South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestras.

Despite challenging economic times, the League was able to present a check for $18,000 to the South Carolina Philharmonic from the Symphony League Endowment Fund at the annual business meeting in May.

We have consistently maintained over 300 members in the Symphony League during the past year.
The First Vice President and the Membership Chairman coordinated membership recruitment and retention. The First Vice President assumed responsibility for welcoming and mentoring new members and hosting a new member orientation in October. The Membership Chairman was responsible for all administrative duties including the membership database.
Four general membership meetings were held in September, November, January, and March in addition to the annual business meeting and installation of officers in May. At the September meeting League members welcomed Music Director Morihiko Nakahara. Guest artists provided entertainment at other general membership meetings. All meetings were well attended.

The League published five issues of the Crescendo last year (September/October, November/December, January/February, March/April and May/June) in an effort to keep League members and supporters informed of League and Philharmonic news and events. Members have the option of receiving the Crescendo by e-mail or regular mail. It is also available online at the Symphony League website.
Frequent e-mail announcements have enhanced communication with board members as well as the general membership.
Our website, www.scsymphonyleague.com, was updated and expanded.
Extensive media coverage of League projects and fundraising activities promoted greater community awareness.

It has been a pleasure serving as your president during this exciting time. I appreciate your continued support, commitment, and tireless efforts on behalf of the Symphony League and the South Carolina Philharmonic. Working together we have accomplished much. I thank you for your hard work and your many contributions.

ANNUAL REPORT | July 1, 2010 - June 30 - 2011

ANNUAL REPORT | July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

ANNUAL REPORT | July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009