ANNUAL REPORT 2012-13 MYSO 2012-13 ANNUAL REPORT | 3 Message from Patrick Rath, Chair, Board of Directors Since 1958, your contributions have range from $1,000 to more than enabled Milwaukee Youth Symphony $5,000 annually, depending on the Orchestra to inspire, educate and student’s level. shape young lives through the power of music and ensemble training. Reflective of this success, we believe From a handful of 30 musicians that the overall growth of our at its beginning, MYSO currently Community Partnership Programs, as serves nearly 1,000 students from well as MYSO’s nationally recognized 14 counties, 60 cities and over 200 ensemble training programs, are schools throughout Southeastern indeed very strong. I would like Wisconsin and northern Illinois. to acknowledge and thank Fran Richman, whose dedication and It is heartening to know that support vision led MYSO for 24 years and for MYSO programming remains a created a legacy of financial stability priority in the community. In fact, to ensure MYSO’s long-term success. MYSO completed its Fran’s Fund I would also like to thank the entire campaign in 2012 surpassing its $2 MYSO team and all of our students, million goal. families, volunteers and the greater community for a great year. Fran’s Fund, a non-endowment scholarship fund whose principal Milwaukee Youth Symphony and interest will support hundreds Orchestra implemented significant of underserved youth primarily governance changes in 2012- from the City of Milwaukee as they 13 to expand its organizational move through MYSO programs, capacity and awareness throughout was launched in 2008 with a the community. In January, a $500,000 contribution from MYSO’s streamlined governance structure unrestricted reserves. It was was created to lead MYSO to its next created to provide resources to level of success. Cordially, ensure that any qualified student will have access to MYSO’s life- For over 57 years, the greater changing programs, regardless of Milwaukee region has witnessed financial need. In addition, these that MYSO truly is instrumental in funds are designed to ensure that changing lives. We look forward to Patrick Rath those students with financial need continuing our mission to foster Chair, MYSO Board of Directors can transition from the Community creativity, collaboration and critical Vice President, Partnership Programs to more thinking skills by engaging diverse Foundation Development advanced MYSO ensembles and young people through artistically Aurora Health Care Foundation receive support for their financial excellent, high-impact, outcome- needs for instruments, advanced based music education and instruction, MYSO participation and ensemble training. transportation. This expense can Cover: A MYSO Progressions student prepares for the Progressions Winter Concert. Photo: Emily Stern. At left: A MYSO musician performs on the stage of Golden Hall, at Vienna’s famed Musikverein. Photo courtesy of Summa Cum Laude Festival. MYSO 2012-13 ANNUAL REPORT | 4 Message from Linda Edelstein, Executive Director Dear Friends, What an honor it is to join the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO)! I am deeply grateful to the MYSO Board of Directors, and especially to Fran Richman and the incredible legacy she has left, for developing the organization MYSO is today. From modest beginnings in 1956 to become one of the largest and most artistically excellent youth orchestras, both nationally and internationally, leading this incredible organization is both inspiring and humbling. I was recently reminded “… this is not a job, this is my passion.” No truer words could be said about my role as the Executive Director for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. Every day I have the good fortune to meet families, children, volunteers and a community who all desire to ensure a bright future for our region’s young people. Not only is MYSO instrumental in changing lives through its 25 ensemble programs and more than 20 enrichment offerings, MYSO embarked upon an extensive and innovative evaluation project, piloted in the 2012-13 season, to identify and measure statistically valid, quantifiable outcomes of our growing Community Partnership Programs. The recently released final report indicates that 46% of the students made “statistically significant growth” as a result of program participation. According to the report, “MYSO offers students what they need, when they need it.” I encourage you to read more about our work in this annual report, or request a copy of the complete study for your review. I invite you to join me in attending a rehearsal or concert to personally experience the life-changing work of our nearly 1,000 students, representing more than 200 schools, 60 cities and 14 counties. I share the board and staff’s pride of Cordially, accomplishment as we reflect on a remarkable 2012-13 season and look forward to advancing our mission to foster creativity, collaboration and critical thinking skills through our highly successful ensemble and music training programs. Thanks to the community’s support of the United Performing Arts Fund, as well as hundreds of individuals, foundations and corporations, MYSO is thriving and meeting its mission every day. We are grateful to you, for as our partner, you also are Linda J. Edelstein instrumental in changing lives! Executive Director MYSO 2012-13 ANNUAL REPORT | 5 “MYSO has been the single most important experience I have had during high school; it truly has changed my life.” - MYSO grad Below: A MYSO violinist performs at the Giving Kids a Sound Start gala. Photo: “I’ve been in MYSO Jazz for a half a year and it has already had a strong Nick Havlik. impact on my life. This environment has taught me to feel more confident in my abilities.” - MYSO member “I had a wonderful time at both Calypso and Sinfonia and I just wanted to thank you for giving my class and me an opportunity to watch and hear the MYSO music. It was wonderful, joyful and awesome!” - elementary school student audience member of Neighborhood Concert Series “I never felt more at home than at MYSO. The inspiring coaches and conductors, as well as the enthusiastic students, all synergized into a magnificent program that was truly Instrumental in Changing Lives. As I participated in the rehearsals, concerts and the European trip, I had an opportunity to live in my dreams and to share my joy of music with Above: A MYSO Progressions musician others around me.” - MYSO grad performs at the Giving Kids a Sound Start gala. Photo: Nick Havlik. “Working with the students in the Progressions program has been a continually positive experience, and a fantastic complement to my other MYSO activities. Being in the program has given me valuable experience in teaching and managing young students as they move ahead in their music. I am extremely grateful to have worked with these students and to have helped them grow, and I find that I am better person and musician because of it.” - MYSO member and Progressions intern “MYSO has taught me how to keep trying, time and time again, even if I fail multiple times...” - MYSO member “MYSO Progressions has helped our students develop talent and self-esteem. Our Progressions participants have really blossomed and become more outgoing and vocal. We notice that they are learning to present themselves with poise and maturity.” - teacher at a Progressions partner school “I deeply feel, as a parent, that the MYSO Progressions Above: MYSO Jazz Studies musician performs program impacts our communities in many ways. It opens at MYSO’s 2012 Playathon. Photo: Emily Stern. little minds up to something new that not only challenges them to be great, but also responsible. My daughter has learned so much that will continue to help her along in life, like being able to multi-task. Thank you, MYSO, for opening my daughter’s world to the love of music...” - MYSO parent Above: Junior Wind Ensemble members backstage at Uihlein Hall. Photo: Aaron Apaza. “...let me tell you, MYSO sure does mean a lot to me. Every week, I look forward to coming here and playing...MYSO challenges me to not only play my instrument well, but to know and understand how music works.” - MYSO member “Being accepted into MYSO was one of the best things that’s happened to me. MYSO has really touched my heart and filled it with music.” - MYSO member At left: Progressions students participate in a concert “talk-back.” Photo: Emily Stern. MYSO 2012-13 ANNUAL REPORT | 6 2012-13 Season Highlights At right: The Senior Symphony and their Music Director Margery Deutsch take a final bow on the stage of Dvořák Hall in Prague’s Rudolfinum. Photo: Emily Stern. Senior Symphony performs in Czech Republic and Austria Upholding its enviable international reputation for Stephen’s Cathedral and participated in workshops led by excellence, 107 members of MYSO’s flagship orchestra, internationally recognized conductors. the Senior Symphony, with their conductors Music For the competition phase of the Festival, MYSO, the Director Margery Deutsch and Associate Conductor only American symphony orchestra invited to compete, Shelby Keith Dixon, embarked upon a 10-day performed in Golden Hall of the famed Musikverein performance and cultural tour of the Czech Republic and before an internationally renowned jury, which Austria in July 2012. awarded it second place “with outstanding success” The group’s first stop was Prague, where they gave a in the symphony orchestra category, a category that concert in nearby Teplice, and then it was back to the included groups whose members were up to age 25. city for a performance at the famed Dvořák Hall, the With this honor, the orchestra won a performance spot home to the Czech Philharmonic—where they received a on the sold-out Gala Winner’s Concert, the culminating lengthy standing ovation.