Annual Report

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2013

September 3, 2013 To Our Patrons, Friends, Musicians, and Other Stakeholders: We are pleased to submit this Annual Report of the Society’s musical and financial activities during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. Particularly reflecting our new Joffrey affiliation, the number of orchestral performances in fiscal 2013 was about triple the level of fiscal 2012. This increased activity excited our musicians while challenging our modest staff resources. However, everyone came through with shining colors. Our other contracted orchestra services -- provided to such sponsors as Ravinia, Music Paradigm, Salute to Vienna, and the Lyric Opera -- also expanded and included a first time public performance in the Harris Theater. Last but not least, each of our four self-presented concerts in Pick-Staiger Hall was memorable and garnered standing applause and favorable critical comment. Audience count for our concerts increased and a survey informs us that our audience feels our programming is engaging and dependable. The foundation of our organization is our community of over two hundred musicians dedicated to the highest level of performance. One of our tasks is to develop work opportunities for this group and we are pleased to have dramatically expanded our musicians’ opportunities over the last few years. For the fiscal year, we also experienced success in the financial and funding area. We were especially gratified by the growth in foundation support received during the year. Toward year end, over $55,000 was raised to exceed the challenge match of two anonymous grantees of $25,000 each. As reported below in more detail, we finished the year with a surplus of $39,653 on revenues of $1,443,172. This was the third year in a row of achieving an operating surplus, which however modest has resulted in a positive equity account. We couldn’t have completed such an enlarged set of activities, audience growth, and positive financial results without the support of all our patrons, contributors, volunteers, dedicated musicians, and hardworking staff. Special thanks and congratulations to everyone involved!

Paul R. Judy Donna Milanovich Chairman Executive Director

28 FALL 2013 | CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY Annual Report cont’d

Our 2012-2013 Season Julia Gicha, violin II; Helen Hess, viola; and written tribute to Larry in his review stating, Bill Meyer, cello. “Rachleff deserves immense credit for Opening our symphonic subscription season having transformed a rather nondescript was the Brazilian consulate-sponsored Nordic Romance was the concept behind orchestra into the cohesive, well-blended, program Bravo Brazil! which was held on the conductorless program with Chicago fully engaged ensemble one heard Friday Sunday, September 30, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Philharmonic’s own Concertmaster and night. Von Rhein also complemented Patrons were greeted as they entered Pick- virtuoso violinist David Perry as soloist and “the orchestra’s athletic strings and deftly Staiger Hall with the exciting experience of leader on Sunday, April 21, 2013, at 7:00 blended woodwinds in particular,” and costumed dancers and the thrilling rhythmic p.m. at Pick-Staiger Hall in Evanston. Scott commented that “Robert Morgan was a beat of the Evanston Escola de Samba, the Speck, whose appointment as Artistic model of articulate elegance in the solo ensemble-in-residence at the Music Institute Director had just been announced, graciously oboe passages of the second movement.” of Chicago. EEDS team leaders were Avo served as the commentator for the program (von Rhein, Chicago Tribune). A celebratory Randruut and Chris Hasselbring, Brazilian which included: Edvard Grieg’s Two Lyrical dinner in Rachleff’s honor was held at Quince percussion; Diane Berrios, samba dance; Pieces and Holberg Suite from Holberg’s restaurant in Evanston. The guest list also Marcos Oliveria, voice; and John Beard, Time; Jean Sibelius’ “En Saga”: A Recreation included his wife Susan Lorette Dunn and cavaquinho. Alex Klein, a native Brazilian of Original Version; Johann Svendsen’s son Sam. and well-known former principal oboist with Romance for Solo Violin and Strings, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1995- Opus 26 and Sinding’s Suite for Violin and A total of 102 Society musicians were 2004) now making his musical career as Orchestra in A Minor, Opus 10. Speck was involved in these 2012-1013 subscription a conductor, performed in a dual role as also featured on Chicago Tonight on WTTW concerts. conductor and oboe soloist. The program with CPS musicians promoting the concert. opened with Gomes’ Overture to the Opera Lastly, planning for the pending season Il Guarany, followed by the Lacerda Oboe Critic Gerald Fisher wrote, “Technically was of course a major activity during fiscal Concerto and Pitombeira’s Seresta No. 7 assured and impressively cohesive, a 2013. The details of the season, with three on the first half; then we experienced the conductorless Chicago Philharmonic served concerts at Pick-Staiger and two at Nichols masterful performance of Arnaldo Cohen on up a program of Scandinavian sweets in Hall, were announced a few months ago. piano in the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto. their Spring outing at Pick-Staiger Concert Ticket sales are well underway. The season’s Hall Sunday night. Surprising in much of overarching theme -- The Romantic Impulse We had the good fortune to have Liduino this music was the technical and emotional -- will carry through all programming. The Pitombeira present in the audience and range presented by these short pieces, Society is developing innovations for our available for any questions concerning so seemingly simple and understated. programs, and each concert will include his work. The Chicago Classical Review This Scandinavian music beguiles the ear another art form serving as an educational wrote that Cohen’s performance of the and satisfies the intellect at the same enhancement to the music. These and Tchaikovsky “conveyed its full romantic time.” (Fisher, Chicago Classical Review). other details are laid out in our new Program sweep from the thunderous chords of the Award-winning Quartet Lumiere (Rebecca Book, produced by Performance Media, first all-encompassing first movement to Benjamin, violin; Gallia Kastner, violin; which includes the publication of this Annual the delicate, almost dreamy passagework of Mira Williams, viola; and Josiah Yoo, cello) Report. the second to the driving momentum of the from the Academy of the Music Institute finale. Klein and the orchestra provided solid of Chicago was our Next! program in the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players accompaniment, with some notable touches foyer which showcases new and upcoming The Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players like Jean Berkenstock’s striking flute solo musical talent. A silent auction also presented a series of three concerts at Union at the beginning of the slow movement.” enlivened the atmosphere at the concert. Church in Hinsdale and three concerts at St. (MacMillan, Chicago Classical Review). On For a thematic treat, we passed out Swedish Luke’s Lutheran Church in Park Ridge. behalf of the concert and the orchestra Fish to concert-goers! Park Ridge Series Klein performed on and was interviewed by We said farewell to our esteemed conductor Park Ridge featured “Russian Masterworks” WGN, WTTW, WFMT, and taught master all extraordinary but lesser known piano and classes at Roosevelt University and Music of 23 years, Larry Rachleff, in the last subscription program of the season entitled string chamber compositions on Sunday, Institute of Chicago. Brazil’s Consul General, November 18, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. Works Ambassador Paulo Camargo, was present Rachleff’s Finale: Bernstein and Schubert specially chosen by Larry for his last concert performed were ’s in along with Vice Consul Camila Mandel D minor, Opus 32; Paul Juon’s Rhapsody for Burros and members of their staff. A festive as our Music Director on Friday, May 24, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. at Pick-Staiger Hall. , Opus 37 and ’s dinner for the board and artists complete Piano Quartet in E Major. Performers with the Brazilian dessert “quindim” was Susan Lorette Dunn, soprano was the vocal soloist in Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony included Ann Palen, violin; Karl Davies, viola; graciously sponsored by the Brazilian Margaret Daly, cello; John Goodwin, piano; consulate. A lively evening was had by all. No. 1 “Jeremiah”. The foyer music for this concert which echoed this symphony’s and Wagner Campos, clarinet. Sunday, November 4, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., theme was provided by the Chicago The next concert, “Cafe Music,” took place our Beethoven and Mozart concert brought Klezmer Ensemble, a five-member kapelye on Sunday, January 20, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. our many-season favorite, Joel Smirnoff, starring the versatile talents of Director Kurt It featured Paul Schoenfield’s Cafe Music back to the Chicago Philharmonic Society as Bjorling, clarinet; Joshua Huppert, violin; Eve for Piano Trio, Gabriel Fauré’s Piano Quartet conductor. Smirnoff, formerly the Juilliard Monzingo, tsimbl; and Joseph Spilberg, No. 1 in C minor, Opus 15, and a sizzling set principal violin and now contrabass. Intermission was followed by the of cabaret selections arranged by Benton Cleveland Institute of Music President, led powerful Symphony No. 9 “The Great” by Wedge, Chicago Philharmonic board member the orchestra in a warmly received program Franz Schubert. and violist. Performers included Sarah of Mozart’s Overture “The Impresario,” Hibbard, soprano; John Goodwin, piano; Ann K. 486, Beethoven’s Concerto in D Major A specially crafted collected book of memories including Rachleff’s first and Palen, violin; Stephen Boe, viola; and Judy for Violin and Orchestra, Opus 61 with Stone, cello. a fascinating interpretation by violinist last Chicago Philharmonic programs was Joan Kwuon, and Mozart’s Symphony presented from members of the orchestra Park Ridge’s season closed with “Brahms, No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550. This concert by Board member and CPS musician Rex Beethoven, and Bartók” on Sunday, April 14, was sponsored by the German Consulate Martin. The rarely-heard performance of 2013, at 3:00 pm. ’ Trio for General in Chicago. Foyer music before the a “tusch”, a musical flourish and honor Clarinet, Cello and Piano in A minor, Opus concert and during intermission echoed the which was spontaneously performed as 114, Béla Bartók’s Contrasts for Clarinet, concert’s string-rich theme by showcasing a tribute by our musicians occurred at Violin and Piano and Ludwig van Beethoven’s an exceptional student string quartet from Larry’s last bow. Larry was then given Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Opus 70, No.2 DePaul University: Azusa Tashiro, violin I; the title of Music Director Emeritus. John were the substantial offerings. Performers von Rhein of the Chicago Tribune gave a included Karl Davies, viola; Margaret Daly,

CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | FALL 2013 29 Annual Report cont’d

cello; John Goodwin, piano; and Wagner partner for the company.” (Weiss, Chicago backgrounds the opportunity to share the Campos, clarinet. Sun-Times.) Following the success of powerful and inspirational experience of a Human Landscapes, we progressed on live, fully professional symphonic concert Hinsdale Series to the timeless classic Tchaikovsky’s The with their parents and other family members. The series at Hinsdale started with “Labor Nutcracker. Walters notes, “the impeccable of Love: Schumann and More” held on cast and sharp sound of the Chicago For each of our subscription concerts, we Sunday, February 3, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. It Philharmonic steal the attention […] and featured a uniquely conceived program of all underwrite up to 200 tickets for students coalesce as a beloved ballet that will remain and family members from a list of Chicago women composers. Pieces performed were beloved for years to come.” (Walters, Germaine Tailleferre’s Berceuse for Violin and area schools, most of which are public Centerstage Chicago). In the new year, we elementary and high schools, such as Piano; Lili Boulanger’s Nocturne for Cello and embarked on a journey through Joffrey’s Piano and Cortege for Violin and Piano; Amy Chicago Math and Science Charter School, series American Legends, featuring Gould’s Senn High School, Evanston Township Beach’s Piano Trio in A minor, Opus 150; Clara Interplay, Ravel’s Sea Shadow, Twyla Tharp’s High School, and Old Orchard Junior High Schumann’s Piano Trio, Opus 17; and Maria Nine Sinatra Songs, and John Adams’ School in Skokie. Almost all of the public Theresia Von Paradis’ Sicilienne for Cello Son of Chamber Symphony. The ballet, schools we reach have a significant low- and Piano. Performers included Mathias “accompanied by the splendid Chicago income population. We also reach a number Tacke, violin; Andrew Snow, cello; and Beatriz Philharmonic under Scott Speck,” was a of community music schools, many of Helguera, piano. great success (Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times). which serve low-income students, such as It was followed by “Along the Danube” on Finally, the season concluded with Elliot B. Music Institute of Chicago, the People’s Sunday, March 17, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. All Goldenthal’s Othello, a majestic interpretation Music School, and Sherwood Community the works were created by composers who of Shakespeare’s dark drama. Weiss Music School at Columbia College. Pick- lived in countries touched by the Danube recommended the performance, “played Staiger Hall is easily accessible by public River. Ann Palen and Irene Radetsky, violins; by the impeccable Chicago Philharmonic” transportation, and offers free parking, so it Benton Wedge, viola; and Mathew Agnew, (Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times). is very convenient for families traveling from cello performed Béla Bartók’s Duos for Two The Chicago Philharmonic Society sponsored the City and surrounding communities to Violins; Franz Schubert’s String Trio in Bb a party for the end of the first and last attend. Participation in the program opens Major, D. 471 and the Ludwig van Beethoven productions for our orchestra and for Joffrey doors to new musical and cultural worlds for String Quartet Op. 59 No. 1. dancers and management. The Othello these young people, planting the seeds for cakes designed for the celebration of the a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of the We closed this series with “Springtime art form. with Mozart” on Sunday, April 7, 2013, at last performance of the season echoed 3:00 p.m., featuring a beautiful collection the design of the famed handkerchief of Side by Side of Mozart’s chamber works. Kathryn Pirtle, Desdemona! In addition, we showed our appreciation for this wonderful collaboration Side by Side is a mentoring program geared clarinet; Florentina Ramniceanu, violin; toward exceptional high school students. Stephen Boe, viola; Judy Stone, cello; and by performing holiday carols at the stage door for the Christmas Eve performance The program provides an opportunity for Diana Schmuck, piano performed Wolfgang outstanding students to perform with Amadeus Mozart’s Quartet in G Minor for of Nutcracker and we also provided two musicians as soloists for the Joffrey Gala: orchestra mentors in rehearsal sessions, Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello, K. 478, Duo in G followed by a professional performance of Major for Violin and Viola, K. 423, and Quartet Katherine Brauer, violin, and Barbara Haffner, cello. a major classical work. Past participants in B Flat Major for Clarinet, Violin, Viola and have been drawn from throughout the Cello, K. 378. Other Contracted Services Chicago metropolitan area and have included New for CPCP in 2013-2014 season Other contracted services this year included students from New Trier High School, The Society has completed a collaborative an October chamber orchestra performance Protege Philharmonic, Music Institute of arrangement with the North Shore Senior led by Scott Speck for the international board Chicago, and Chicago Youth Symphony Center (in Northfield) to perform a three- meeting of the Sidney Frank Corporation Orchestra, among other sources. concert chamber music series in the NSSC held at the Art Institute on October 18, auditorium on Sunday afternoons in January, 2012. We also performed with Salute to NEXT! February and March. These concerts will Vienna in Symphony Center on December The Chicago Philharmonic established its be open to the public, will be of one hour 30, 2012, a gala event patterned after the NEXT! initiative to give extraordinary young duration, and followed by a “meet and greet” famed televised version broadcast worldwide musicians the opportunity to be heard by reception with the musicians. In the planning from Vienna Austria on New Year’s Day. We Chicago Philharmonic patrons, musicians stages is another chamber music series in a again provided special operating services and conductors. These fresh young talents downtown Chicago location which we hope to the Lyric Opera in support of the Lyric of merit are showcased in the Pick-Staiger will be our first daytime/weekday series. All Opera’s Rising Stars program on April 13, foyer before Chicago Philharmonic concerts. chamber concerts will tie into the season 2013. In April and May, we rehearsed and This season we welcomed Evanston Escola theme of The Romantic Impulse. then performed as an orchestra before the de Samba, music students from DePaul management groups of two large corporate University, award-winning Quartet Lumiere Joffrey clients of Music Paradigm with Maestro from the Music Institute of Chicago, and the Our relationship with the Joffrey Ballet Nierenberg illustrating the similarity of Chicago Klezmer Ensemble. commenced in a wonderful way with glowing effective leadership patterns as between reviews of the collaboration as we started business organizations and orchestras. We Artistic Leadership in Transition the season with the Human Landscapes also performed at Harris Theatre for a UIC The year witnessed the retirement of Larry series, featuring Bohuslav Martinu’s Pretty medical school benefit on June 14, 2013. Rachleff -- the Society’s Music Director since BALLET, Benjamin Britten’s Forgotten Land, Our Mather concert was on June 26, 2013 1995. As mentioned earlier, at the end of and Frederick Cohen’s The Green Table. The and dedicated to the memory of Joan Hallet, the May concert, Maestro Rachleff received Chicago Sun-Times commented, “High-flying mother of our board member Polly Kawalek. a glorious “tusch” as final thanks and regard dynamism and pure technical power are Outreach Programs for many years of superlative conducting. essential qualities in James Kudelka’s ‘Pretty BALLET,’ which was created for the company Families to the Philharmonic In September, further advancing the in 2010 and is set to Bohuslav Martinu’s Live music experiences can play a crucial Society as a musician-centric and -governed rather bombastic but driving Symphony role in inspiring a child to develop an abiding organization, the Board established two No. 2. The dancers charged into it with all love for the art form of classical music. committees -- Artistic Programming the unbridled relish it demands. So did the The Chicago Philharmonic’s Families to the and Policy, and Musician Personnel and Chicago Philharmonic (conducted by Scott Philharmonic program provides young people Procedures. These committees will plan Speck), which, incidentally, is a sensational from diverse ethnic and socio-economic and oversee our musical performances and

30 FALL 2013 | CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY Annual Report cont’d musician resources. The Artistic Committee Management and Staff is co-chaired by musicians Jim Berkenstock Donna Milanovich completed her 17th year Summary Financial Statements and Neil Kimel, and the Personnel as a member of the Society having been Below are Summary Financial Statements for The Chicago Committee by concertmistress Ann Palen. appointed Executive Director in 2010. Donna Philharmonic Society for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013, as Each committee has additional musicians is responsible for the organization’s general compared with the prior fiscal year, as drawn from the review of and community persons as members. operation with special emphasis on concert the Society’s accounts for both years by the CPA firm BrookWeiner Plans, policies, and procedures developed planning, performances and coordination; LLC. The complete financial statements of the Society as by the committees are implemented by the audience and personal contributor reviewed by BrookWeiner LLC are available on the Society’s Executive Director. development; community service activities; website (from which they may be downloaded and printed), or by To enhance the work of the Artistic and Board committee support. email request. Committee, the Board retained Scott Speck Donna oversees a staff of three persons as Artistic Director; his resume is posted on FISCAL YEARS ENDED 6/30/2013 6/30/2012 - Molly Kramer in office operations and the Society’s website. Scott will conduct accounting, Terrell Pierce in musician three of the coming season’s concerts, and STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES in addition, as Music Director of the Joffrey coordination and concert management, Ballet, will conduct the Philharmonic in over and Adrienne Giorgolo in institutional SUPPORT FROM OPERATIONS fifty other performances. The Committee- development. With such a lean staff, Contracted services $1,076,159 $505,217 Maestro collaboration has already produced however, everyone does whatever is Admissions revenue $62,972 $40,238 an excellent set of concert programs for the necessary to ensure a maximum level of Miscellaneous income $3,045 $482 pending season. patron and musician service and satisfaction. Total support from operations $1,142,176 $545,937 Community of Musicians and Musician Paul Judy, as Chairman and Treasurer; Governance coordinates the work of the Board, CONTRIBUTIONS The Society draws on a community of over oversees the general management, Individuals $149,083 $161,714 200 professional musicians to perform manages the Society’s financial operations, Foundations and corporations $122,500 $64,500 in various ensembles, and to provide an and participates in the development of Other souces $29,420 $7,825 elected group of musicians to be highly institutional funding. Total contributions $301,003 $234,039 involved in central organizational governance. This combination of organizational features is Professional Services TOTAL REVENUE $1,443,179 $779,976 unique in America if not the world. As noted Special thanks to Nick Sachs and Marc in the brief historical review, the Society has Jacobs of Seyfarth & Shaw for their legal PROGRAM SERVICES had a long culture of musician leadership and advice and to Amy Altman, John Harlan, and Artistic expenses $1,124,903 $628,287 participation. Chuck Naterelli of BrookWeiner LLC for their Productions costs $47,958 $44,278 timely review of our accounts. Total program services $1,172,861 $672,565 As a way to encourage and develop musician leadership and participatory skills, and to Volunteers SUPPORTING SERVICES help in two-way communications between No not-for-profit musical arts organization Marketing expenses $69,189 $27,280 the broader musician community and central can function without the assistance of General and administrative expenses $161,475 $70,212 management and governance, the Musician volunteers. Warmest thanks for the Total suporting services $230,664 $97,492 Advisory Council was created consisting of assistance of Keith Kremer and Shelly Kimel twenty-eight of the Society’s performing in various concert-related services. Our TOTAL EXPENSE $1,403,525 $770,057 members each committed to organizational move from Evanston to our new downtown participation and support. The early activities offices could not have happened with such CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $39,654 $9,919 of this group are described in more detail on ease without the physical and financial help our website. of Paul Kawalek and his contribution of some NET DEFICIENCY AT BEGINNING OF YEAR -$4,414 -$14,333 Board of Directors much needed office furnishings. As provided in Illinois law, “the affairs of the Financial and Funding Results SURPLUS (DEFICIENCY) AT END OF YEAR $35,240 -$4,414 Corporation shall be managed by the Board The Society completed fiscal 2013 with a of Directors.” An expansion of the Board took surplus for the third year in a row, adding place in September when four musicians to working capital in steady increments. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION and four community members were added, As noted below in the summary financial bringing the total to eighteen, consisting of CURRENT ASSETS nine performing musicians, eight community report, revenues rose to $1,443,179, up Cash $91,549 $29,117 members, and the Executive Director. In from $779,976 in fiscal 2012, an increase of Contributions Receivable $5,000 $5,529 its first meeting in November, the expanded 85%, and about triple fiscal 2011 revenues. Prepaid expenses $983 $0 Board got off to a running start by exploring Although the new affiliation with the Joffrey Contracted servcies receivable $0 $34,781 longer range planning issues through the Ballet was the primary factor in our recent facilitation of Nancy Osgood as a final step growth, other contracted orchestra service Total Current Assets $97,532 $69,427 in our organizational development program revenue (on a comparable basis) grew Other assets $834 $0 initiated in late 2011. This Board was by 25%, admissions by 50%, and total reelected in the January Annual Meeting contributions by 44%. TOTAL ASSETS $98,366 $69,427 (with one community member retiring) for one-year terms, providing mutual flexibility The Society’s financial position improved CURRENT LIABILITIES in contemplation that one-, two- and three- over the year, reflecting the year’s operating year terms will be utilized starting in January, surplus. The Society’s net worth moved up Accounts payable $5,698 $37,574 2014. During fiscal 2013, the Board met five to a positive level, and cash and equivalents Unearned revenue $12,225 $14,267 times. Names and titles of Board Members-- well exceeded liabilities. Special thanks go Accrued expenses $45,203 $22,000 and in the case of musicians, their primary to those foundations that initiated support Total current liabilities $63,126 $73,841 instruments -- are shown below. Brief of the Society particularly to encourage biographies of Board members are given on the ongoing development of the unique EQUITY $35,240 -$4,414 the Society’s website and elsewhere in the alternative organizational structure being Program Book. pursued. TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $98,366 $69,427

CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | FALL 2013 31