Kickstarting the next 50 Years: The Northland Symphony Orchestra

Although I gave up my attempt to be an accomplished pianist when I was in eighth grade, I never gave up my love of live music.  All types of live music inspire me, but when I hear a well orchestrated symphony, my fingers start twitching as I begin practicing my scales thanks to my muscle memory!

The Music

The Northland Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1967 and has three primary goals. The first is to provide young people the opportunity to broaden their musical horizons by performing quality music with seasoned performers and community players; in that way, students can see, in a practical and real way, that music can remain an avocation throughout their lives even if it’s not one’s vocation. The second is to provide quality musical performances to those who otherwise might not have the opportunity or resources to experience it. The third is to provide elementary students with an opportunity to perform in front of a sizable audience and their families, all the while singing with a quality orchestra.

The Northland Symphony performers are equally split between professional musicians, community members, and students. The students are primarily college students, but some are high school students. Many of the professional musicians have been with the symphony for ten or more years-many of them much longer.

The Northland Symphony does all of this as a nonprofit organization without paid staff members. It relies on a working Board of Directors, grant funds, volunteers and donations to produce five shows every season. From just a few musicians at the beginning, the orchestra has grown to the extent that there is now a waiting list of players that wish to perform. This growth is driven by their passion in their mission.

The Kickstarter

The 2016-17 season marks the 50th anniversary for the symphony. The Symphony has launched their first ever public giving campaign, setting a goal of $75,000 to help kickstart the next 50 years and to help grow some of their non-concert initiatives, like student performances and the young artist competition.

There are plenty of ways to get involved. The Symphony’s largest fundraiser of the year – Taste of Zona Rosa – is in just a couple of weeks. The evening event features delicious cuisine from a variety of Zona Rosa restaurants, wine and other beverages, a fabulous silent auction, and live music from members of the Northland Symphony.

Even if your 2016 giving budgets are full, the orchestra is accepting pledges for the second half of their season which goes through June 30, 2017. They also have concert sponsorships available, as well as many other opportunities throughout the season, the celebration of which culminates at their April 9th concert at the Kauffman Center. Like all the others, this concert will be FREE, so be sure to put it on your calendar and bring your family.

I hope you will join Haas & Wilkerson Insurance in supporting the Northland Symphony and that I get to see you at the Taste of Zona Rosa on Sunday October 23.

Kimberly Wilkerson loves music, family friendly festivals, and her community!  Community engagement is just one of her hats at Haas & Wilkerson Insurance where she serves as an owner and vice president.