A note from Dr. Genie Ware for the end of 2022
Dear Friend of Pro Arte,
Music has always been a part of my life. As a child, I heard my father singing excerpts from “The Messiah” before I knew what it was. I marched around the house and sang while my mother played the piano. As a teen, I played guitar and listened to rock music at the beach on my transistor radio. The first date I had with my husband of 35 years was a Pro Arte concert. Our son is a violist and fiddler, and I started cello lessons in my 50s to keep up with him. Throughout my life, I have attended concerts of all kinds, though I have a special soft spot for classical music.
Music is woven into the fabric of my life, and, I suspect, into your life, too. It is an international language – something that connects us all. Contemporary singer-songwriter Billy Joel describes music as “an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”
My love of music has evolved into a long-term commitment to Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. I have been a board member for several decades. Founded as a Cooperative in 1978, Pro Arte, like the United States, was considered a great democratic experiment. And, against all odds, we are thrilled to be in our 45th season!
This season also marks our first full year with Julia Cash as our new Concertmaster, only the second in our history. My husband and I are delighted and honored to sponsor her inaugural season. She brings mastery and new energy to Pro Arte, as we emerge from the pandemic to bring music and joy to the communities around us.
We need you, too! We, the people, are curators of the arts, as both audience and donors.
An orchestra like Pro Arte cannot survive without you. The pandemic has amplified the costs of everything. Our musician costs for one full orchestral concert are over $30,000, and a concert has other overhead costs like music rental and the cost of the performance venue. Ticket income covers only a fraction of that cost, as it does for all orchestras.
Any amount you can make to support the orchestra will be greatly appreciated! If you can, please consider sponsoring a player of your choice for the remainder of the season for a gift of $2000, or making a donation of $750 to cover the pandemic-driven costs of videotaping a concert for later streaming online for audience members who cannot attend in person. But again, a gift of any size is much needed and deeply appreciated!
It takes all of us to keep music alive in our communities! What would our lives be without it?
Many thanks,
Genie Ware, Chair of the Board of Trustees