October 2025 Update: Thanks to your incredibly generous donations, we have not only met our goal, but well exceeded it! The rapid success of this program has inspired us to continue the campaign to establish a long-term and continuous reserve that will support this important work for many seasons to come! In this first half of the 25-26 season, we’ve used the Repertoire Reserve to perform Creation by Tonya Wind Singer, and we’ve initiated rentals for Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite and Valerie Coleman’s Umoja: Anthem of Unity to be performed at our December concert. The total cost of these three works is just over $2100, utilizing over 50% of our original goal of $4000. We are so proud to serve this incredible community that believes in, supports, and fights for representation in the performing arts!
As a non-profit organization, the MSO relies heavily on donations to cover necessary expenses such as facility rentals, salaries, and publicity. Unfortunately, one of the more expensive elements of operating an ensemble is renting music. There is a plethora of great music available to us in the public domain, but it’s all over a century old and from a period when the demographic of published composers was heavily influenced (though it still is) by privilege. While we want to better showcase music from a more diverse pool of composers, the costs of renting music is very restrictive. Shorter works typically cost around $500 per performance, with larger symphonic works costing in excess of $1500.
Our goal for this upcoming season is to raise $4000 $10000 for the Repertoire Reserve that will be used exclusively for the rental and performance of works by historically excluded composers. This will give us the opportunity to perform works such as Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations, Duke Ellington’s arrangement of the Nutcracker Suite, or Valerie Coleman’s Umoja.
Gifts are tax-deductible and individual donations in excess of $250 will receive printed recognition in our upcoming programs. Donors may also request to remain anonymous.
Our goal is for the music we play to better represent the community we serve. We are so grateful for your support!
If you would like to donate, you can do so electronically using the button above, or by mailing a check to:
Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
7304 Carroll Ave. #208
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Please make checks payable to “Montgomery Symphony Orchestra Inc.” and put “Rep Reserve” in the Notes field so it goes to the right fund!