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Support the Annual Fund

Building a future where exceptional talent thrives

Music Academy Friends and Vivace Donor Society

Supporting not just great musicians, but great leaders.

Comprising nearly 50 percent of the Music Academy’s annual budget, the Annual Fund is an imperative stream of revenue that provides assistance to every aspect of our operations. Gifts to the Annual Fund directly support:

  • Eight-week Summer School & Festival where more than 140 fellows come to the Miraflores Campus each summer to receive world-class training and nearly 200 performance opportunities to hone their artistry
  • Teaching artists who inspire the fellows
  • Unleashing the creativity of our fellows and alumni to blaze new trails in classical music and beyond through our Innovation Institute
  • The year-round SING! children’s chorus, a free, after-school initiative that is open to students in 1st through 6th grades in Santa Barbara County.
  • Most importantly, knowing that you are supporting a bright future for classical music!

Consider joining the Music Academy Friends or becoming a member of the Vivace Donor Society with a gift of $2,500 or more.  In appreciation, we offer you exclusive benefits and privileges for the year ahead, all designed to honor your membership support and enhance your experience with the Music Academy.

Annual Giving & Donor Benefits

We express our deep gratitude for the impactful support we receive from all of our donors, and are proud to offer the following benefits in appreciation:

Music Academy Friends

Donations ranging $50 – $2,499

Academy Fan donor benefits include

  • Knowing that you are making a difference in the future of classical music

Orchestra Member donor benefits include

  • Recognition in the Summer Festival Guidebook

Principal Chair donor benefits include

  • Invitation to one exclusive working rehearsal of the Academy Festival Orchestra
  • Recognition in the Summer Festival Guidebook

Concertmaster donor benefits include

  • Invitation to two exclusive working rehearsals of the Academy Festival
    Orchestra
  • Recognition in the Summer Festival Guidebook

Conductor donor benefits include

  • Access to quarterly “behind-the-scenes” e-updates, including artist interviews, stories from the archives, exciting previews, and more
  • Invitation to two exclusive working rehearsals of the Academy Festival Orchestra
  • Recognition in the Summer Festival Guidebook

Vivace Donor Society

Donations of $2500 and up
★ Leadership Circle, Premier Council, and Council level donors each receive elevated ticketing and seating priority.

Council benefits include

  • Priority ticketing and seating at all Academy performances ★
  • Invitations to
    • a season preview of the coming Summer Festival
    • champagne receptions prior to all Academy Festival Orchestra performances at the Granada Theatre
    • one exclusive working rehearsal of the Academy Festival Orchestra
    • annual opera sitzprobe, the first rehearsal where vocal fellows sing with the Academy Opera Orchestra
  • Concierge ticketing services by the ticket office team
  • Advance picnic table reservations for Picnic Concerts in all campus gardens
  • Recognition in the Summer Festival Guidebook
  • Priority studio selection for compeer matching program

Premier Council receive all above benefits and:

  • Invitations to:
    • exclusive working rehearsals of the Academy Festival Orchestra
    • garden gathering at the break of one of the Summer Festival Competitions

Sustaining Patrons receive Premier Council level benefits and:

  • Masterclass dedicated to you or an honoree of your choice

Luminary Patrons receive Premier Council level benefits and:

  • Sponsor a full scholarship for a Summer Festival fellow
  • Masterclass performance dedicated to you or an honoree of your choice

Leadership Circle donors receive Premier Council level benefits and:

  • Sponsor a full scholarship for a Summer Festival fellow with priority selection of studio or sponsor a studio teaching artist
  • Invitations to attend salon recitals hosted by the Music Academy’s President and CEO
  • Solo recital, chamber, or orchestra performance dedicated to you or an honoree of your choice
  • Personalized concierge ticketing services for all performances

President’s Circle donors receive Leadership Circle level benefits and:

  • Sponsor a Summer Festival teaching artist with priority selection of studio, or sponsor a subscription series.
  • Reserved parking on the upper campus near Hahn Hall at all Music Academy events
  • Invitation to a special springtime President’s Luncheon
Gerbrich Meijer ('20, '21, '22) clarinet

"The Music Academy is a special place for me as it offers opportunities to thrive and be supported in ways that have helped shape my future as a professional musician."

Gerbrich Meijer ('20, '21, '22) clarinet

Michelle Bradley ('14) soprano, starring at the Met Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and San Francisco Opera

"Abundant thanks to you, Marilyn Horne, and the Music Academy for always supporting me. Summer 2014 literally changed my life. I am forever grateful and proud to have been a fellow at the Music Academy and happy to be a champion!"

Michelle Bradley ('14) soprano, starring at the Met Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and San Francisco Opera