Annual Fund Letter 2007-2008    

The Cumberland Valley School of Music (CVSM) has come a long way since its founding in 1990.  As one of only 300 members of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts (and the only one within a 90 mile radius of Chambersburg!)  CVSM offers something unique to our area, which most other regions in the United States do not have, and its impact has been wide-reaching.

            Last year, CVSM taught nearly 600 students per week, ranging in age from toddlers of 18 months old through senior citizens, at locations in Chambersburg, Waynesboro, and Mercersburg, PA and Hagerstown, MD.  We employed 53 highly qualified faculty members; ran a wide range of music and theater camps; presented over 100 concerts throughout the community; ran several after school programs and camps for at risk, minority, and low income youths; sponsored the CVSM Community Symphonic Band, the CVSM Community String Orchestra, the CVSM Concert Jazz Band, and the Cumberbunds children’s chorus; had over 500 students perform at CVSM recitals; and sponsored numerous concerts and special events, such as jazz from the Phil Woods Quintet, classical pianist Adam Tendler, a series of Musicale concerts, and an annual elegant dinner dance, to name just a few.

            CVSM is well positioned to continue to teach and entertain the Cumberland Valley for years to come IF WE CAN COUNT ON YOUR HELP. 

            Most of our tuition dollars are used to pay our fine teaching staff and other program expenses.  Many of our programs, however, are offered for their educational and entertainment value rather than for their ability to cover expenses.  The costs of these programs continue to rise each year as we improve their quality and value.

            This year we must raise $197,838 over and above tuition income to accomplish our goal of responding to the community needs and interests. YOUR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL if CVSM is to continue to thrive.

            Through scholarship assistance, we provide private instruction to all students who have a desire to receive it, regardless of their personal ability to pay. We stage public recitals to showcase what those students have learned and provide entertainment for the audience and valuable performance experience for the students. More importantly, CVSM provides a sense of artistic community, which educates both performers and audiences. We draw together the best professional talent in the area and help keep them here by offering them opportunities to teach and perform.  We present world-class entertainment and master classes, outreaches to the public and private schools as well as senior centers. We have a positive cultural impact on thousands of people in our area in the course of a year.

            Improving the quality of life in the Cumberland Valley while making music and performing arts an important part of the lives of children of all ages – regardless of their financial or home situation – is what CVSM is all about.

            We are a 501 (c) (3) organization and all contributions to the school are tax deductible. YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE FUTURE OF ACCESSIBLE MUSIC INSTRUCTION AND THE AVAILABILTY OF QUALITY LIVE PERFORMANCES IN OUR AREA.  Consider, if you will, all the times you have enjoyed the gift of music. Your continued generosity will help to ensure that the Cumberland Valley School of Music will continue to offer that gift to us all.

                                    Sincerely,

                                    Martha Walker
                                    Board President    

P.S.  Contributions at any level are appreciated, but donors who are able to give $1,000 or more will become members of our “Conductor’s Circle”. If you join us at that level of giving this year, we will reserve two seats for you at our Elegant Winter Dinner Dance, to be held February 23, 2008, and also invite you to attend a very special dinner party exclusively for Conductor’s Circle members. If you are able to give at the $500 - $999 “Concertmaster” level, we will reserve two tickets for you to the Dinner Dance.

Mike Ross, director of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation, has stated that “CVSM has emerged as the cornerstone of cultural opportunity and reflects dynamic change in Franklin County. The opportunities given by CVSM play an extremely important role in our efforts to attract businesses into the county.” Through your gift of money or appreciated securities you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have made an impact, helping to grow the arts and appreciation of them in Cumberland Valley.