The Southwest Florida Symphony, Lee County’s only professional orchestra and one of the oldest in the state of Florida, was awarded a $7,500 grant from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to support the Symphony’s education programs. Historically, Suncoast Credit Union has provided $5,000 in funding for this program, but increased its funding for the 2022-23 season.

While the symphony’s educational programming includes Youth Orchestra Ensembles, Discovery Club, Student Rush, Music for Life, and Majors for Minors, Suncoast will be funding the Annual Young People’s Concert, which the Suncoast Foundation has helped to establish over the years.

The Young People’s Concert is a field trip for 5th graders to actively participate in a full symphonic performance, and will serve a minimum of 1,000 youths in Southwest Florida. The programs are stimulating and interactive, and treat the students to the thrilling sounds of the Southwest Florida Symphony. It is often the only opportunity area students have to experience a live orchestral concert, and sometimes, in their lifetime. This program is a months-long endeavor, is in partnership with the School District of Lee County, and is offered at no cost to participating schools.

As a non-revenue generating event, the Southwest Florida Symphony relies heavily on the support and generosity of private donors and additional grant funds. The funds will be utilized to support the operational expenses associated with putting on the major event, including the musicians, conductor, and guest artist wages; facility rental costs; teacher professional development costs; music library rentals; equipment; and student bussing. While this influential amount covers a significant portion of the costs, the Southwest Florida Symphony will continue to seek funding from various sources to ensure the continuation of programs that benefits thousands of Lee County school students.

Visiting most schools remains dependent on whether the Lee County School District will permit outside organizations on campus this year. As pandemic-related conditions permit, the Southwest Florida Symphony will find creative, yet safe ways to provide all students with access to the highest caliber of music education opportunities.

In addition to several new chair sponsors contributing to this initiative, many chair sponsors increased their gifts to the orchestra’s Sustaining Partnership level this season. During the symphony’s annual Chair Affair Gala this past March, the orchestra raised $157,100 to date, exceeding its goal of $100,000, with sponsorship commitments that have continued to roll in throughout the month.

Sustaining Partnership benefits the orchestra through a minimum annual gift of $7,500, but also benefits the donor by affording them the opportunity to see their gifts at work in every facet of the institution. A Sustaining Partner level gift provides funding for the following initiatives: sponsors a section core musician with the orchestra; provides access to Conductor’s Circle Club receptions, which are held in the President’s Club at Barbara B. Mann in conjunction with all of the orchestra’s performances there; underwrites 10 tickets for Discovery Club Members, which is comprised of K-12 students and their families; underwrites 10 tickets for Music for Life members, which are comprised of special populations groups that care for individuals with down syndrome, severe autism and other life challenges; provides funding for a Majors for Minors program in a school of the donor’s choosing, which is an educational outreach initiative where a small ensemble (a string quartet, brass or wind quintet) visits an elementary school along with a narrator and curriculum enhancement to deliver a program to elementary school students; includes a Symphony Society membership for two, which is the orchestra’s fundraising and social auxiliary; and access to multiple other VIP events held throughout the concert season.

To make donations to the Southwest Florida Symphony’s Education Fund, visit SWFLSO.ORG or by calling 239-418-1500 weekdays. The Southwest Florida Symphony is a 501(c3) organization.