Support the TSO
Annual Support for the TSO
Endowment Giving
Planned Giving
Corporate Sponsors
Advertise with the TSO
The Traverse Symphony Orchestra Associates
Volunteer for the TSO
Download 2005 TSO Annual Report
An outstanding orchestra is the cornerstone of a community's cultural life and a key element in its overall quality of life. According to Site Selection Magazine, "Traverse City exemplifies a community that thinks and acts much larger than its size would suggest" - and the quality of the TSO reflects this trend. In resonance with regional expansion plans, the Traverse Symphony Orchestra has grown exponentially in the past five seasons to fully serve the growing regional audience with quality performances and music education programs.

Through the generosity of area individuals, businesses and foundations, the TSO has grown while also increasing musician compensation to levels appropriate to their dedication and skill. It has increased the size of the ensemble by attracting and contracting quality musicians both regionally and statewide. Simultaneously, it has expanded its Education & Outreach programs - the Traverse Youth Orchestras, Saturday Family Symphony, and Music in the Schools - to serve a wider variety of ages and needs. According to the Traverse City Record-Eagle, "We no longer have to travel to Detroit or Chicago to hear a fine symphony orchestra. We have one right here."

There are a number of ways you can support the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. They include:

• Make an Annual Campaign contribution
  
• Sponsor a TSO concert or other event, through your business or a personal contribution
  
• Underwrite an orchestra chair or a guest artist
  
• Advertise in the TSO's program book
  
• Leave a Musical Legacy for generations to come with an endowment or planned gift
  
• Attend a Special Event
  
• Join the Traverse Symphony Orchestra Associates
  
• Volunteer for a special event, as an usher, or assist in the TSO offices

Because of the TSO's mission to keep concerts affordable to people of diverse income levels, the budget has been grown very gradually. Ticket price increases have been kept to a minimum with much of the organization's investment in artistic quality funded by a burgeoning Annual Campaign. As a result, ticket sales now cover about 40% of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra's budget, a ratio comparable to other regional professional orchestras in the U.S. Similarly, tuition fees from the Traverse Youth Orchestras cover only a fraction of that program's cost. The balance is raised from a combination of individual gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and special events. Thus your gift to the TSO not only supports great music and educational offerings in the region - but keeps these programs accessible to all.
Ongoing support for the TSO comes in all sizes... from gifts of $25, $50 and $100 to major donations of $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 and up. Each gift, regardless of its size, is essential to the TSO - and each donor becomes a partner with us in making great orchestral music sustainable in Traverse City. Your gift can be unrestricted, to help us relieve general operating expenses; or restricted to a specific program or activity (for example, underwriting the cost of a guest artist, or one of the education programs). To make an individual gift to the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, please contact Executive Director Andrew Buelow at 231-947-7120 or abuelow@tso-online.org or Make a Gift Today.

Leave a Musical Legacy to generations yet to come!
Whatever your circumstances, and however modest your income, you can leave a legacy of music by making an endowment gift to the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. When you contribute to the Traverse Symphony Orchestra endowment, you are making a direct and unique investment in both the current operation of the TSO and its future financial security. The TSO Endowment consists of several funds, managed by the TSO Board of Directors or by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. The Endowment provides an increasing source of income and capital to further the mission of the TSO through strategic long-term investment goals. Preserving and extending the high-quality performances and music education programs for generations to come is what endowment building is all about.

How does an Endowment contribution differ from an Annual Campaign gift? Annual Campaign contributions support the Traverse Symphony Orchestra of today; endowment contributions ensure the sustainability of the TSO tomorrow. Endowment funds are restricted; each year, the TSO receives a percentage of the interest earned each season, but the principal is held in perpetuity and is strategically invested to increase in value. Both annual and endowment support are essential ingredients of long-term financial health for the TSO. Endowment gifts may also afford naming opportunities, including principal and section chair endowments, concert or series endowments, and various other components. Both Annual and endowment gifts may be made in honor or in memory of a loved one. For more information on endowment giving, please contact Executive Director Andrew Buelow at 231-947-7120 or abuelow@tso-online.org.

TSO supporters can also create a legacy of great music with a planned or deferred gift. Though a planned or deferred gift is often the culmination of a lifetime of philanthropy, careful estate planning can put significant giving within reach of individuals who might not think it otherwise possible. And the far-reaching consequences of such giving can transform the destiny of an organization, matching the outcome of the gift to the philanthropic goals of the donor. In almost no other way can we express so powerfully the ideals and passions that have drawn us to truly special causes.

While planned gifts are usually made with the guidance of an estate attorney, many gifts are in the form of a simple bequest. Bequest designations can take many forms, but should be included in the donor's will or living trust. There are a number of types of assets that can be given to the TSO. Examples include bequests of cash or investment funds, life insurance, or retirement plans. There are also a number of ways to structure the actual gift. Here are just a few:

Gifts that provide income to you include charitable remainder unitrusts and annuity trusts, or charitable gift annuities (offered through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. For more information, visit www.gtrcf.org). In each case, the donor receives income from the gift with the organization receiving the asset at a later date.

Gifts that provide income to the TSO include the charitable lead trust, in which those benefiting from your will own the asset, while the TSO receives the income.

Outright gifts may include cash, appreciated securities, real estate, or other property.

Who should consider a planned gift?

Anyone who cares about the TSO and would like to designate assets - either outright or in his or her will - to benefit the Orchestra. Particularly in the case of planned gifts, patrons at a variety of income levels have the opportunity to become major donors of the TSO. Planned gifts can offer many benefits including: reducing federal estate taxes, by-passing capital gains taxes, increasing current income, and conserving estate assets.

We are dedicated to honoring and celebrating your planned gift. All donors who have included the TSO in their estate plans are members of our Musical Legacy Society. Members of the Musical Legacy Society not only enjoy the TSO today, but the warmth and pride that comes with knowing that their gift will sustain the Orchestra for years to come.

We will be happy to work with you and your estate attorney to identify the proper approach for your specific needs. For more information, contact Executive Director Andrew Buelow at 231-947-7120 or abuelow@tso-online.org.

A recent Golin/Harris survey found that a company's efforts to be a good corporate citizen, including its philanthropy, are an important part of people's decision to work at, and/or make a purchase from a company. Arrange a concert or event sponsorship for your business, and you will be providing important support for the TSO and sending a message to the public about your company's commitment to area quality of life.

Sponsorship opportunities include:
Symphonic concerts -- $3,500
Pops & Home for the Holidays concerts -- $4,000
Traverse Youth Orchestras concerts -- $2,500
Saturday Family Symphony concerts -- $1,500
Symphony Ball and other Special Event sponsorships -- $250 - 4,000
Benefits of sponsorship include:

• Complimentary advertisement in the season program book, distributed to an audience of 12,000 annually
• Logo placement and/or company name identification in brochures, ads, news releases, posters and flyers promoting the event, as well as on tickets distributed
• Logo credit on TSO website, with direct link to website of your business.
• A block of complimentary tickets to your sponsored event, great for staff or client perks
• Verbal acknowledgment from the stage of your company's sponsorship
• Flyer or collateral insertions into program books and/or product placement in lobby and pre-function areas at event

For more information, click here to download the 2006-2007 Sponsorship Brochure, or contact Executive Director Andrew Buelow at 231-947-7120 or abuelow@tso-online.org.

Did you know that 80% of Americans agree that when they see information about a company supporting a cause, they are more likely to remember that company?

TSO patrons are likely to:

• Have greater disposable income
• Be major investors
• Hold higher degrees and professional/managerial occupations

Advertising in the TSO's playbill is a great way to reach the right customers with a positive message about your business that they will be exposed to repeatedly - and retain!

During the 2005-2006 season, TSO audiences continued to grow, surpassing 12,000 ticket buyers, an increase of 21% over previous seasons. During the past five seasons, audiences to TSO concerts have more than doubled. Consider the influential and affluent clientele you can reach by advertising with the TSO in the 2006-2007 season program book!

To extend our advertisers' reach even further, during the 2006-2007 season you can place the same ad - or a specially tailored message - in the Traverse Youth Orchestras program book, with the purchase of a combined ad package at a very reasonable rate. In addition to providing great exposure for your business, you will also be providing critical support to the TSO while demonstrating your commitment to the youth, culture and high quality of life in our community.

We are fortunate to have the support of the community, and especially of businesses like yours, as we continue to build a vital, artistically excellent symphony to serve the Grand Traverse area. Please help support your Traverse Symphony Orchestra and reach an ever- increasing audience for your business by advertising with the TSO today!

Download a current advertising rate sheet and agreement.
  Not all of us can play an instrument in an orchestra, but we can all play an instrumental role in a great performance! By joining the Traverse Symphony Orchestra Associates (TSOA) you can support the TSO by sharing the greatest contribution of all: your time and talents.
TSOA is the volunteer support organization for the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. Our purpose is to promote and support symphonic music in the Grand Traverse region. We lend support for administrative and concert activities and raise funds through various annual events and projects.
Opportunities abound for new friendships, community involvement, and social activities that help in the continued growth and excellence of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. As a member, you can select the projects best suited to your interests and work on committees that plan our events and projects.
When you join, a TSOA member will contact you to discuss specific projects that interest you. You will be invited to our meetings. You will receive the TSOA Membership Directory and all other mailings. Join the TSOA today! Download TSOA Membership Application The Traverse Symphony Orchestra is not only sustained by financial resources, but by the many generous, talented volunteers who give of their time and skills to work in various essential areas. There are many ways to volunteer for the TSO:

• Work as a concert usher
• Assist with clerical work in the office
• Join the Traverse Symphony Orchestra Associates (TSOA) and help with one of their many fundraising special events
• Volunteer on the TSO's Rhythm & Bids Committee
• Volunteer on a Standing Committee, including:
• Development
• Artistic
• Education
• Finance
• Become a Board member

For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact the TSO office at 231-947-7120 or tso@tso-online.org