VSO Celebrates $3.5 Million Endowment Campaign

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra announced Wednesday, January 19, 2011, that it has successfully reached its ambitious endowment goal to raise $3.5 million.

At a State House press conference, Honorary Campaign Chair Ed Colodny stated, “In a time when cultural organizations around the country face hard times, the VSO’s audiences have been loyal and dedicated, and our programming has been innovative and rich. Now this fabulous endowment ensures stable funding for the future. We are especially grateful for the hundreds of donors who have stepped forward to allow us to reach this incredible milestone.”

The three-year campaign follows the Orchestra’s 75th anniversary, celebrated during the 2009/2010 season. The purpose of the endowment is to ensure a healthy, sustainable symphony orchestra for Vermont and to help bring the Orchestra to more communities across the state through concerts and outreach programs including the popular SymphonyKids education programs in local schools.

“Music is the universal language,” Colodny said, “and its existence contributes immeasurably to our quality of life. The VSO contributes mightily in making Vermont a special place to live.”

The endowment campaign came at a critical moment in the Orchestra’s 75 year history. Like other orchestras, the VSO has faced economic uncertainty in the past. “It’s our statewide volunteer network that sets us apart,” says Alan Jordan, VSO Executive Director. “Our volunteers allow a $1.8 million operation to work like a $3 million orchestra, generating enthusiasm and awareness, selling tickets and raising funds, accommodating musicians in their homes, whatever it takes,” he says. “And, with these volunteers, we have raised this crucial endowment to support the orchestra for future generations.”

The VSO was formed as the nation recovered from the Great Depression. It has survived through 12 recessions, and has flourished over the years. It began in the fall of 1934 when visionary musician Alan Carter gathered Vermont’s scattered musical forces—musicians who were also farmers, bankers, plumbers and teachers—to form the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. From the beginning, the VSO traveled around the state to perform wherever an audience could be found. It became the first state-supported orchestra in 1939 when the legislature provided funds for a performance at the New York World’s Fair.

“The fact that the VSO is the oldest state symphony in America and has continued with so little bedrock endowment is amazing,” says Ken Squier, Chairman of the Governing Board of Directors. “We especially thank the many generous individuals and organizations whose gifts will help us perpetuate the great work that Music Director Jaime Laredo, our Orchestra, and the staff have done.”

Guilford resident and world renowned violinist Jaime Laredo became Music Director in 2000. His tenure has been marked by critically acclaimed performances, and guest appearances by leading classical musicians, including Midori, Lang Lang, Jennifer Koh, Leila Josefowicz, Peter Serkin, Soovin Kim, Michael Tree and Leon Fleisher. World class cellist Yo Yo Ma returns to perform with the Orchestra on April 30. The concert has been sold out since last September.

During the 2009/10 season the Orchestra reached an audience of 53,791, including 24,089 school children through its popular SymphonyKids outreach program in Vermont schools. Overall the Orchestra produced 301 performances and events statewide—266 of the events were offered free of charge to audience members.