Support

Make all the music you can,
with all the people you can,
in all the ways you can,
in all the places you can,
at all the times you can,
as long as you can.

Henry David Thoreau said "Music is the universal language of mankind." Think of what would be possible in the world if everyone could express and communicate in a universal language. Music is unique among the arts in that people from different countries, religions, and cultures can come together and instantly create harmony with the universal language of music. If harmony was present everywhere in the world, the world would be a very different place.

Your generous contributions support great music in our community and support music education in our schools. A donation to the Symphony ensures that the glorious harmonies of classical music will live on and that our children will experience the joys of music. The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization and your donation is tax deductable - contact your financial advisor for information.

Merchandise

Whatcom Symphony
Orchestra Audio CD

Beethoven Symphony No. 4
Dvorak Symphony No. 7
Preview at CDBaby
Purchase with Paypal

Volunteer

The Friends of the Symphony perform a variety of tasks from hosting the concierge table at concerts, assisting at fundraising events, performing office work and working with board committees. If you are interested in volunteering, please download the volunteer form, fill it out and send to the Symphony business office by e-mail or regular mail.

Wish List

Scholarships - the families of many talented students struggle to fund any kind of private music study. Your donation to the scholarship fund helps students who participate in the Chamber Music NOW! program and receive individual coaching in a relaxed small group setting.

Music Library - the cost of renting or purchasing one piece of music ranges between $500 to $1,000. Your donation helps build our music library and ensures a wide variety of programs for years to come.

Music Education Curriculum Development – the music education outreach program Music In The Schools continues to innovate creative ways of sharing music with children in our schools. Updating curriculum to address Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements takes time and dedication. Funding a curriculum position ensures that our children will always have music as part of their education.

Instrument Purchase and Repair - pianos need to be constantly tuned, the percussion section does not always have the equipment needed for a performance, and the Symphony lacks a contra bassoon. Your donation to the instrument fund helps keep the instruments in good repair and allows the purchase of needed instruments.

Harp Endowment - funding a permanent endowment ensures that the Symphony will always have the finest harp player for the orchestra. Few students study the harp and fewer still play professionally. Your donation will make it possible to always have the wondrous sounds of a harp at every concert.

Electronic Keyboard - $2,000 This allows the Symphony to program pieces from the 20th century which require this instrument.

Percussion Equipment - $2,000 Many pieces of music require specialized instruments that must be purchased to fulfill the composer's musical ideas.
These instruments are not produced in high numbers so the per unit cost is expensive to the Symphony.

Contrabasoon - $10,000 Often times the ‘bass' voice of the woodwind section can only be performed with this instrument. It is a fascinating instrument that provides the rich bass line in much loved pieces like Shostakovich 5th Symphony and Beethoven's 9th Symphony.