NJSO announces gifts totaling $3.2 million
ORCHESTRA ACKNOWLEDGES INDIVIDUAL, FOUNDATION AND CORPORATE SUPPORT TOTALING $3.2 MILLION
NEWARK, NJ (December 5, 2013)—The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra announces a number of recent gifts totaling $3.2 million from individuals, foundations and corporations that will further the Orchestra’s capacity to reach concertgoers, students and communities throughout New Jersey. The gifts all represent sustained or increased contributions from longtime Orchestra supporters.
“We are sincerely grateful for this diverse group of supporters,” NJSO Board Co-Chairs Ruth Lipper and Stephen Sichak Jr. say. “Their generosity will allow the Orchestra to continue growing our artistic, education and community engagement programs to fulfill the NJSO’s mission. We are proud that they are helping us to provide meaningful musical experiences to audiences, children and communities across New Jersey, activities that are at the heart of the Orchestra’s endeavors.”
The Marjorie Bunnell Charitable Fund has given a multiyear gift of $1.5 million to support the NJSO’s education and community engagement initiatives, which enrich the lives of more than 40,000 young people, families and educators annually. The gift includes funds to name a new NJSO chair: The Marjorie Bunnell Charitable Fund Vice President of Education and Community Engagement (ECE) chair. Marjorie Bunnell was a lifelong educator; the foundation’s gift reflects her love of education and belief in the importance of music in young students’ lives.
NJSO ECE Vice President Marshell Jones Kumahor says: “Knowing the inspiring story of Ms. Bunnell, I am all the more eager to ensure that the NJSO’s education and community engagement initiatives live up to her wonderful life and legacy as an educator. It is quite humbling and gratifying to continue our work, in part, as a tribute to her.”
A generous family has made an anonymous $1 million gift to name the NJSO Principal Trumpet Chair in honor of the Amadeus Circle, the Orchestra’s dedicated group of supporters. This gift initiates a challenge to inspire additional donations through new and existing memberships in the Amadeus Circle.
NJSO President & CEO James Roe says: “It is deeply meaningful to all of us at the NJSO to receive such an outpouring of support. This extraordinary family—who has never given a gift of this magnitude before—stepped forward to help the Orchestra bring music to thousands across the state and celebrate the enduring contribution of Amadeus Circle.”
The Orchestra also acknowledges multiple corporate and foundation gifts. The Merck Foundation—the charitable foundation of global healthcare leader Merck—continues its investment in the NJSO with a $600,000 multiyear commitment that will support the NJSO’s education and community engagement programs. Merck Foundation Executive Vice President Brian Grill says: “Merck is pleased to continue its partnership with the NJSO to help ensure that more children get to participate in the arts through music education and that world-class orchestral music performance remains a vibrant and accessible part of the cultural fabric of the state of New Jersey.”
The Prudential Foundation is renewing its $100,000 gift to support the NJSO’s Newark-based audience-development initiatives such as Friday Nights Out (through which the Orchestra has presented College Night, LGBT Night and Newark Neighbors Night), select REACH (Resources for Education and Community Harmony) chamber music events and pre-concert live music and dancing lessons at 2013–14 NJSO POPS concerts at NJPAC, among other activities. Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and President of The Prudential Foundation Lata Reddy says: “We are proud to collaborate with the NJSO. All of us at The Prudential Foundation wish the NJSO continued success in carrying out these important initiatives.”
NJSO Music Director Jacques Lacombe says: “Just as it takes many notes to make a symphony and many instruments to make an orchestra, it takes support from many sources to make the work of the NJSO possible. We are grateful to have the support of so many devoted individuals and foundations as we continue to expand the reach of our Orchestra.”