Donation Information

It is essential, more now than ever, that we raise money to support our musicians, the venues we perform in, and pay for access to the sheet music. Additionally, there are numerous hidden costs of keeping an organization alive, including paying for this web site.

Our affiliation with the League of American Orchestras makes clear that all of our orchestras in America are in danger of extinction. We don't charge admission to our concerts and yet the venues, music, and talent all need to be paid.

Please, join us. We depend on the support of the community.

Consider one of these Sponsorship Levels:

Concert Season $30,000.00
Concert $6000.00
Conductor $4000.00
Section leader $1600.00
Rehearsal $350.00

Call Golda (314-229-7989) for more information on these sponsorships.

Orchestra Association

Joining the Orchestra Association is easy, just make a donation of $40.00 or more.

Your membership allows you to attend the annual meeting which takes place in June of each year and also allows you to vote on issues according to the by-laws of the association.

It is with this base of annual funding that concerts remain free.

Tributes

Please consider remembering or honoring a friend, relative, musician or event by making a donation of at least $5.00 as a tribute.

A tribute card will be sent to your recipient and the donation will be listed in the concert program.

The Edwin Simon Endowment Fund

Edwin Simon was a graduate of St Louis University, a veteran of WWII, and spent his life working as a CPA. As a young boy, his father, a talented violinist, taught him to play the violin. Edwin's greatest pleasure was practicing on the violin and then playing with several musical groups. He played violin with the University City Symphony Orchestra for many years.

Upon his death in January 2012, the Orchestra was gifted by his estate in a sum substantial enough to create an endowment fund and secure the organization's financial future. It is the intention here to invite you to add to this fund and help protect the legacy that was started more than half a century ago.

An endowment may come with stipulations regarding its usage. In some circumstances an endowment may be required to be spent in a certain way or alternatively invested, with the principal to remain intact in perpetuity or for a defined time period. This allows for the donation to have an impact over a longer period of time than if it were spent all at once.

Given the stipulations that this money be given for long term investment purposes, if you would like to make a donation to it, please contact our General Manager, Golda Burke, so that she can coordinate your gift: 314-229-7989 or ucsoinfo@gmail.com

The Norman Goldberg Society

Norman Goldberg, an accomplished clarinetist within the University City Symphony Orchestra, was also a music publisher, educator, composer, conductor, and mentor. As the owner of Baton Music, which was one of the oldest businesses in University City, Norman was a pioneer in the renaissance of The Loop and a pillar of the community.

In 2000, the UCSO celebrated its Golden Anniversary, we established the Norman Goldberg Society to honor his many contributions.

We invite you to become a member of the Norman Goldberg Society.

For an annual gift of $500.00 - $749.99 you will receive the following:

Open acknowledgement at each concert alongside program placement gratitude
An opportunity to attend one of our rehearsals as a special guest
Invitations to private parties featuring subsets of the musicians performing Chamber Music

The Nathan & Lily Kaufman Society

It was the inspiration of these two fine people during his tenure as Mayor of University City, the longest running mayor in the history of this fine municipality [~20 years] that the idea of the orchestra emerged. With their good friend Norman Goldberg, the details were arranged. Now entering the 59th season of this musical group, we are establishing a second society in their honor and their name.

For an annual gift of $750.00- $999.99 you will receive the following:

Open acknowledgement at each concert alongside program placement gratitude
An opportunity to sit on the stage with the orchestra for one concert
Invitations to private parties featuring subsets of the musicians performing Chamber Music

The Conductor's Circle

The orchestra began with a vision that Professor William Schatzkamer had. Teaching at Washington University, he longed for a place where he and his talented friends in the St Louis Symphony Orchestra could play during the off season. With the help of his friends, University City Mayor Kaufman and his wife Lily, the UCSO was born.

Maestro Schatzkamer conducted the orchestra for more than 35 years. When he retired, the position was turned over to Maestro Leon Burke. Maestro Burke was a mere child, a young adolescent boy, purchasing music at Norman Goldberg’s Baton Music store in the University City Loop, never imagining what was ahead for him as a career path. A talented musician, Norman Goldberg was an encouraging adult for young Leon. Leon met Willie Schatzkamer and the rest is the story of his development as both musician and conductor. Dr Leon Burke, III is only the second Music Director that this orchestra has known.

This special inner circle opportunity is a chance to contribute to the ongoing legacy of Conductor development.

For an annual gift of $1000.00 or higher you will receive the following:

Open acknowledgement at each concert alongside program placement gratitude;
Invitations to a private dinner featuring UCSO musicians performing Chamber Music.