Individual Giving
Second Century Endowment Fund
Seattle Symphony, a cultural cornerstone in our region for more than 100 years, is now one of America’s great orchestras. A significantly increased endowment will ensure its continued musical excellence and its ability to provide:
- A mix of traditional and adventurous programming
- World-renowned guest artists
- Musical education for people of every generation
- Outreach programs to underserved communities
- Regional, national and international touring
These activities define the Symphony as we know it – and as we envision it for generations to come. Gifts in the form of cash, pledges, appreciated securities, charitable gift annuities and bequest intentions are all gratefully accepted for this vital effort. A variety of naming opportunities are available to recognize charitable gifts. We invite you to join us in support of this very important campaign.
Naming Opportunities
Donors can choose from a variety of naming opportunities to recognize their contribution to the
Seattle Symphony’s Second Century Endowment Fund. Naming opportunities are
designed to honor the legacy of an individual, family member or other designee.
There are a number of naming opportunities for various levels of giving. These include program funds,
education and outreach funds, touring funds and orchestra positions. Benaroya Hall offers spaces to name,
as well as seats in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium and the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall.
Gifts eligible for naming opportunities may be pledged over several years. Contributions can include
cash, securities and planned gifts, or a combination of these. Please contact Marita Sheeran,
Director of Planned and Endowed Gifts, at 206.215.4852 or
marita.sheeran@seattlesymphony.org.
Concert Series
Masterworks series – $10 million
The Masterworks series is the heart of Seattle Symphony concert programming. It offers both enduring masterpieces
from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as 20th-century scores.
Seattle Pops – $5 million
Ever-vibrant, Seattle Pops concerts offer a broad range of popular music in styles enjoyed around the world.
Distinguished Artists Recital series – $2 million
Distinguished Artists Recitals feature unique opportunities to experience world-renowned artists and audience favorites.
Visiting Orchestras series – $2 million
The Visiting Orchestras series brings acclaimed orchestras from around the globe for unforgettable concert experiences.
Basically Baroque series – $1 million
Basically Baroque presents enduring works from the age of Bach and Vivaldi.
Messiah Performance Fund – $1 million
Handel's ever-popular Messiah is a holiday tradition presented by the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Symphony Chorale.
Mainly Mozart series – $1 million
Mainly Mozart celebrates the genius of Mozart in concerts that often feature guest conductors and artists.
Discover Music! series – $2 million
Discover Music! concerts inroduce children 5 to 12 years of age to the joys of classical music and the experience of attending performances in Benaroya Hall.
Tiny Tots Series – $1 million
Tiny Tots introduces our youngest listeners, from infants to 5-year-olds, to the wonderful melodies and rhythms that fill listeners of every age with joy.
Funds to Promote Artistic Excellence
Touring Fund: Regional, National, International Touring Fund – $10 million
Touring is a vital aspect of artistic development that builds the Orchestra's reputation, the unity of its ensemble playing, and esprit de corps. Through touring, the Symphony serves as the cultural ambassador of our region.
Guest Artist Fund – $2.5 million
The Guest Artist Fund helps to defray the costs associated with bringing world-renowned musicians, including instrumentalists, singers and conductors to Benaroya Hall to perform with our orchestra.
Festival Fund – $2 million
Endowed funds support programming that stretches the boundaries of the classical repertoire, explores the works of great masters in-depth, and introduces audiences to unfamiliar musical concepts, instruments and genres.
New Technology Fund – $2 million
This fund would enable the Orchestra to increase efficiency of its marketing and development strategies, to reach new audiences through the latest innovations in electronic media, and to support the continued high quality of its broadcasts and recordings.
Fund for New Works – $1 million
The Fund for New Works provides an ongoing source of support to commission new compositions that enhance the art form and are relevant to our community.
Funds to Promote Education and Outreach
Day of Music – $1 million
This event features dozens or performances in spaces in and around the Hall in a continuous, day-long
festival of music enjoyed by thousands of people.
Pre-Concert Lectures – $500,000
Thirty-minute lectures offered one hour before most Masterworks concerts are presented by knowledgeable
speakers who discuss featured works and composers.
Symphony in the Schools – $500,000
The current Symphony on Wheels and Musicians in Schools programs
take musicians and instruments directly into the classroom for personal experiences designed to
encourage an interest in music.
Arts in Education – $500,000
This free program serves 10,000 5th graders each year through a live concert experience and integrated curriculum support for all participating teachers.
Meet the Beat – $500,000
Secondary school students connect with the rhythms of symphonic music through Meet the Beat concerts in Benaroya Hall and specially designed pre-concert classroom activities.
Funds to Honor our History
Archive Fund – $500,000
The Archive Fund supports the creation and ongoing maintenance of artifacts from the Symphony’s more than 100-year history, including copies of programs, recordings and broadcasts.
Orchestra Sections, Chairs and Positions
Executive Director – $1 million
Seattle Symphony's executive directorship is a critically important administrative leadership position.
The position will be named in honor of its funder, e.g., The Mary and John Smith Executive Director.
Music Director Endowment Fund Challenge – Five gifts of $250,000 each
In honor of her grandmother – Mrs. C.D. Stimson, one of the early organizers of the Symphony and the
first president of its Board of Directors – Priscilla Bullitt Collins initiated the Music Director Endowment
Fund Challenge to endow The Harriet Overton Stimson Music Director's position. Five gifts remain to fund this
vital endowment. Donors are recognized on a special plaque located in the Green Room.
Composer in Residence – $1 million
The Composer in Residence is a vital aspect of Seattle Symphony artistic programming. The composer works with the Music Director, prepares compositions for performance by the Orchestra, and works with aspiring young composers selected for the Young Composers Workshop.
Seattle Symphony Chorale – $1 million
The Seattle Symphony Chorale, which recently marked its 30th anniversary as the official chorus of Seattle Symphony, is a vital force in many Seattle Symphony performances.
Chorale Director RESERVED
The Chorale Director manages and directs the Chorale, while implementing the Symphony’s vision within the Chorale.
Principal Librarian – $250,000
The Principal Librarian is responsible for ordering, distributing and maintaining musical scores for each Seattle Symphony production, as well as caring for the Symphony's own collection of musical works.
Entire sections of the Orchestra, as well as individual chairs, are available for naming. Funders are recognized on the Orchestra roster in each issue of the Encore house program, and on the musicians' photo wall.
Soundbridge
Soundbridge Seattle Symphony Music Discovery Center is a cutting-edge interactive music education center in Benaroya Hall designed to inspire a love of symphonic music in people of all ages. The center holds a variety of multi-media exhibits and spaces still available for naming.
Soundbridge Recital Space – $500,000
The warm and intimate recital space in Soundbridge is a flexible area that hosts diverse programming – from musical storytelling for tots and their families to lectures, seminars and instrument demonstrations for youth and adults.
Soundbridge Listening Bar – $100,000
The Listening Bar features more than 500 recordings from the Renaissance through the music of our time, including highlights from the Symphony's current season.
Soundbridge Science of Sound Wall – $100,000
The Science of Sound Wall is an interactive, fun and thought-provoking exhibit that elucidates the science, physics and psychology of sound.
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