Support Us
Dear Friend of the Music Festival:
Thanks to you, we finished our 32nd season feeling the energy and the fulfillment of a terrific Washington Island Music Festival. We are thinking of you as we plan for our 33rd season. You inspire us. The Washington Island Music Festival is unique to the Island and even to all of Door County, with our two weeks of entertainment, enrichment and education focused on classical chamber music. Chamber music is a perfect fit for the Island. Each ensemble is like a small community working together to perfect their piece, with each member necessary to their part and to the success of the whole concert. The Festival is inclusive, bringing together seasonal and year-round residents, young and old, as audience members and as participants in the Children’s Concert and the Festival Chorus. All of the Festival events offer a community experience that is Washington Island at its best.
The benefits of the Festival continue year-round through the Music in the School program. Washington Island School receives no funding for music education classes. For decades, the Festival has sponsored a well developed and thorough music education program that includes music history, music theory and performance components. Island students are fortunate to have more time allotted for music study than what is mandated by the state.
Mark your calendar! Our annual Mayfest is being moved to June 22nd with a new name, Summer Serenade. It will still be the terrific event you expect but we are moving away from an already busy Memorial Day weekend. With our summer residents back and settling in, we can welcome them home and have them be part of the fun.
Your donation to our Operating Fund is what keeps the Festival alive and allows us to plan for 2024. However, we also want to recognize two areas that we value and that need our support. In addition to the Operating Fund, we welcome donations to the Music in the School Program and the Festival Chorus, which this year had 40 members. Both have annual costs and your support will help cover those expenses.
We hope you will choose to increase your donation this year. If you give a total of $500 and up, you will receive two tickets for any performance, a special WIMF gift and an invitation to the Final Note Party. If you double your donation from last year at any level, we have a special recognition gift for you.
With deep gratitude and hearty applause for your past support, the Washington Island Music Festival Board and I look forward to all we can accomplish together in 2024.
Betsy Wallman,
Board President
Bitta Gordon Manager, Don Morgan Vice President, Judy Baseman Secretary, Stefanie Jacob and Scott Tisdel Artistic Directors, Teresa Drews Administrative Director, Kari Gordon, Judy Jones, Steve Tobey, Sarah Duggan Goldstein, Alison Vernon, and Heather Zinninger
Each year, the Washington Island Music Festival must raise 75% of its operating budget through individual donations from people like you. If you've given in the past, please renew your gift to the Festival. If possible, please consider increasing your gift to assist with our increasing costs for musicians, guest artists, printing, postage and of course, renting the Trueblood Performing Arts Center.
When you give to the Music Festival, your contribution not only funds the Festival and other year-round music events; it is the SOLE funding source for providing Music Education in the Washington Island School, K-12 by a certified music educator. Currently, Donna Briesmeister provides both vocal and instrumental instruction and appreciation skills. Her work has also led to the establishment of a community band which enjoys the participation of island instrumentalists age 8-80.
The Music Festival’s events and Music in the School programs are provided by an all-volunteer non-profit board, one part-time paid staff, and one part-time paid music educator. If you are a visitor to Washington Island, a part-time resident or a full time one, you know what an important and well-loved feature these musical programs are. Help continue them!
You can donate by sending your check or credit card information to Washington Island Music Festival, P.O. Box 235, Washington Island, WI 54246 or by using the Donate button at the bottom of each page.
All contributions are tax deductible.