Hello ALL!
Today is the final day of this crowdfund and if you thought you might want to contribute (no matter how small), or share to those that might support new music and the work of IJM, the time is now!
Hello ALL!Today is the final day of this crowdfund and if you thought you might want to contribute (no matter how small), or share to those that might support new music and the work of IJM, the time is now! Trust me…. I am MORE than grateful for your kind words of support thus far, your incredibly generous donations, and equally ready for a break of being so outside my comfort zone in asking! If I’m honest…. A root canal mixed with a body cavity search are more appealing to me than putting myself out there in this way! . But, this project and what it stands for requires me putting it all out there… and that is exactly what I am prepared to do. No shame, just drive for something bigger and better than just myself. You have all joined me in this journey, and I am so happy you’re here with me! Your participation makes this project beautiful.
From this 6 years ago…… To……more love and gratitude than I could ever have thought possible, experiencing my first pregnancy, and sharing it with all of you.
There will be cake, beverages to purchase, and live performances of a few selections on the album. There will be physical albums available to purchase if you have not previously been a contributor!
We will be featuring visual art installations by all-female artists in honor of Women’s History Month and all art will also be available to purchase, with a percentage of proceeds going to a non profit TBD.
PEARL SHANGKUAN conductor | GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY CHORUS BACH Cantata “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” BWV 191ELAINE HAGENBERG Illuminare Experience the phenomenal vo… View More
An Evening with the GRS Chorus
March 7, 2025 @ 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
St. Cecilia Music Center
PEARL SHANGKUAN conductor | GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY CHORUS BACH Cantata “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” BWV 191ELAINE HAGENBERG IlluminareTARIK O’REGAN Selection … View More
Take Me Out to the Ball Game!
March 14, 2025 @ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
DeVos Performance Hall
BOB BERNHARDT conductorBob Bernhardt brings us another show based on one of his favorite topics – this time, sports. Put on your favorite team’s logo and join the Grand Rapids Symphony … View More
Take Me Out to the Ball Game!
March 15, 2025 @ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
DeVos Performance Hall
BOB BERNHARDT conductorBob Bernhardt brings us another show based on one of his favorite topics – this time, sports. Put on your favorite team’s logo and join the Grand Rapids Symphony … View More
Mahler & Eight Timpani
March 21, 2025 @ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
DeVos Performance Hall
MARCELO LEHNINGER conductor | DANIEL KARAS timpani | ADDY STERRETT soprano VILLA-LOBOS Bachianas Brasileiras No.1JOHANN CARL CHRISTIAN FISCHER Symphony with Eight Obbligato TimpaniGUSTAV MAHLE… View More
Mahler & Eight Timpani
March 22, 2025 @ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
DeVos Performance Hall
MARCELO LEHNINGER conductor | DANIEL KARAS timpani | ADDY STERRETT soprano VILLA-LOBOS Bachianas Brasileiras No.1JOHANN CARL CHRISTIAN FISCHER Symphony with Eight Obbligato TimpaniGUSTAV MAHLE… View More
HEROES: A Video Game Symphony
March 27, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
DeVos Performance Hall
KEVIN ZAKRESKY conductor From the producers of “Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” comes “Heroes: A Video Game Symphony”, a celebration of music from the world’s most iconic vide… View More
Leaving you now with a piece close to my heart that I did with my dear friend Mary Kuras. This is in honor of Black History Month, but more importanly, just inspiration in all the forms it comes in. When I heard “Breath of Rose” by William Grant still, I was inspired to put a horn part to it. Covid gave me the courage to put it out there. Until next time…
I can safely say becoming a bio mom has been the most intense adventure of my life and further helped me discover many things about myself…for instance… what I can accomplish with no sleep, how happy I can be, how far I can push my mental and emotional fortitude, and what I can accomplish with absolutely no time! Among my new discoveries….
The amount of things I can do 1 handed…. you would be surprised. How much I can do in the shortest of time windows, how fast I can eat, how much food I can spill on my child eating with my left hand while breast feeding at the same time….
And in some good news, Mr. Kallum has grown 2.5 inches to be 21.5 inches in length and now almost 8lbs. Pediatrician is thrilled! And so are we.
Some career highlights over this summer!
I got to be a guest on a dear friends’ podcast SMART WOMEN TALK, with Katana Abbott (one of the most powerful women I know!)
Our conversation was about finding your voice and we went in depth with some of the challenges I’ve overcome to stay true to mine, and staying focused amidst loss to continue sharing it. Still so honored she thought I was interesting enough to feature!
Next surprise of the summer was a last minute opportunity to be a part of a documentary by Zachary Rumley called A Redux Rennaissance, that focuses on the juxtaposition of dynamic range recording vs. modern industry radio standards. I got to record my original folk song “Good and True” with Greg Scheer on guitar. I still can’t believe I managed to do this barely 6 weeks post partum! I wrote the extra horn parts with baby Kallum strapped to me and in 15 minute intervals because I still had to keep him moving to keep him happy! But we did it and have an incredible recording coming SOON!
Below is a little pic of me and Kallum (my practice buddy) on a work break!
Next up is my first summer on Beaver Island with the Baroque on Beaver Music Festival! To quote a friend that was on the island last week…. “It was hotter than Satan’s Scrotum”.
It was…. but so was the music! Incredible people, artists, and new relationships. Dave, Ingrid, and Sandy…. you were an extra unexpected delight and so happy to know you! (Sometimes an audience member becomes family…..in this case… it’s 3!)
Big shoutout to the musicians on the island. Ya’ll are first class!
Below are some highlight moments. My husband and I snagged a much needed date with our little man at the Beaver Island Lodge… so beautiful.
As we approach the end of a far too short summer, and make plans for the GRSymphony season in September, I am happy to share Hope College has invited me to be their adjunct horn instructor. I am excited to flex my teaching muscles at the college level again and definitely looking forward to some artistic collaborative projects with the talented Hope faculty!
Big thank you to my dad for coming with me to help with Kallum as I did the audition and interview so I could keep him on his feeding schedule!
Last but not least…. THE ALBUM!
I am ecstatic to be including a photo of my inital donation to IJM from the amazing support you gave during the crowdfund in Arpil. I am still in talks with their NYC office on a future creative project which I will absolutely share when it’s time! I can’t wait to use more of my art to make a difference that unites and liberates.
But first things first….I have to get “The Singing Horn” finished, edited, and submitted to PARMA by mid September for release IN MARCH! AAAAAHHHHH!
It’s crunch time and still short $1000 to make it happen but I am in my powerful warrior mom mode and hustling for corporate sponsorship to get to the finish line. Please share to any businesses or individuals that may want to join the team! I am planning a killer album release party and all supporters get to be there!
Thank YOU for all of your support and encouragement during this insane process, and even more so now that Kallum is born and thriving. Should I have done everything I’ve done this summer… and during the pregnancy? PROBABLY NOT. But my next year around the sun… maybe I will get better at not saying yes to absolutely everything! Until September……
THANK YOU !!!!!!!!
With your help… We raised a total of $6,715.79! Once fees have been processed I will be able to utilize $6,245.60 towards the donation and album expenses. I will be so excited to write that $624.56 check to IJM!
THANK YOU !!!!!!!! With your help… We raised a total of $6,715.79! Once fees have been processed I will be able to utilize $6,245.60 towards the donation and album expenses. I will be so excited to write that $624.56 check to IJM!
While I didn’t completely reach my goal, I am not disappointed by any means! This is my first time doing anything like this and was stumbling around in the dark trying to follow the books I read, the advice I received, and work through my own fear and discomfort. What I got in return was so much love and support! The good news is, because of you I am much closer to my goal! I have made deeper relationships to philanthropy through IJM and am so motivated to keep going.
Also… because of THEFIELD.ORG, I will be able to still take donations on a rolling basis. They are my fiscal sponsor and can allow tax deductible donations towards my project at any time.
So if you missed your window or this wasn’t an accessible time, if that changes, you can still become a part of this project when it is right for you!
I am committed to IJM’s mission and my relationship with them. Regardless of the campaign closing, I will still be maintaining a 10% donation of all funds raised gifted to their organization. Thank you amazing donors! Christopher Houlihan Brian Buerkle Khoa Nguyen Lee Stohr Lydia Lowery Busler Sarah and Erich Peterson Debra Miesel Rita Alley Joe & Jen Radtke mark and katana abbott Jason/Suzy Bratton Jason Pintar David Stevens Anthony Bryant Heather Thomson Thomas Paterniti Garland Daniel Garland Daniel Melissa Danas lisa Honeycutt Emily Ruiz Beth Gazella Ellen Sherman Judith Kemph Michael Morrow Annette Thornton Steven Cohen Kimberly Jeffers Kris Saad Alexandra Mascolo-David Christina West Michael Saunders
Karl Pituch JEAN-PIERRE VIAL Mitch Boucher Laura Krech Kristi Crago Corinne Judd Julia MacDonell Jim Kleinheksel Victoria Krick Maria Rohr Elizabeth Derbin Megan Crawford Neil Mueller Brian Carter Bob and Nora Bernhardt Lee Etner Danielle Sullivan Robert Voisey Bob Lindahl Heather Perkins LeBlanc Meghan Althouse Cheryl Wojcik Frank Berno Timm SUSAN MUTTER Jan Malmo John Varineau Beth Colpean Patrick and Mary Kuras Martha Bowman Billy Orr Andrew Dodson Rick & Chandy Britsch Nathan & Tricia Ruffer
Now on to BABY MODE! Finish the season, get the nursery finished, push out a baby boy… I may have a snack and and a nap first!
The next time you hear from me will be the best news… Baby pics! Until then I leave you with a spotify link to someone that I adore. She makes me feel like I’m back with my granny listening to her stories. If you want a taste of what that was like… take a listen to her mountain music album, and album of amazing family stories “Come Go With Me”. It is part of my inspiration for this album.
Hello Friends! It’s been one week since the campaign launch! I cannot thank you enough for your generous contributions so far and such kind words of support. Together we have raised $2475.75! Almost 1/4 of the way! 3 weeks left to go. While I know support through donation may not be accessible for all, I have felt the support from your kind words. It is just as valued. I also am still looking for corporate matchers for the IJM specific portion … NOT the album support but the donation going to IJM only. Please be open to sharing to anyone you may think might be interested in this project in any way. Sharing by word of mouth is a huge help!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to these first donors! I will tell you with 100% honesty each one of these donations made me tear up. I don’t really know how to say it better than that. You’ve given me hope this project may actually be possible, and will really mean something in the work IJM is doing for the world.
Heather Perkins LeBlanc Meghan Althouse Cheryl Wojcik Frank Berno Timm Susan Mutter Jan Malmo John Varineau Beth Colpean Patrick and Mary Kuras Martha Bowman Billy Orr Andrew Dodson Robert Lindahl Robert Voisey Danielle Sullivan
IJM UPDATE: I have been in contact with the U.S. giving team and will be having a meeting this week to sign my pledge paperwork to designate this officially through their office and abide by all applicable government cause marketing regulations. I can’t wait to have it in my hands and ready to post and share!
** Because of the regulations surrounding what is considered a two tiered donation – ie. to an artist project as well as social justice organization, The Field is unable to host my language regarding the album’s support for IJM on their donation platform. For all your donations to be tax deductible to a 501c3 such as the field, they are bound to their accreditation requirements.** The donation plans stay the same, I just make my pledge directly with IJM with the final amount once the campaign closes. So all details will remain the same on my website. I wanted you to all be in the loop.
While I would love this newsletter to be only fun and positive…..Given what many of us have already seen on social media and the empowerment I am trying to foster with this entire project….
There is something I am compelled to share and address. Below you will find an article detailing the horrific rape of a friend of mine by members of the New York Philharmonic Liang Chang ( who drugged her) and Matthew Muckey (who was the confirmed rapist through DNA evidence).
The article is outstanding in terms of the depth of reporting, factual evidence, and thoroughness of investigation. Cara is a friend. We met and became instant friends our first summers at Aspen when we were only Sophmores in college. We dreamt of a position with NYPhil. Hero worship among pedigreed teachers and orchestras was commonplace, encouraged, and rewarded. She achieved “The Dream” only to be drugged and raped, then gas lit, and ultimately removed from what had become a nightmare because her perpetrators were protected. What a constant violation. Yet she never stopped playing the horn. She never stopped being amazing. She had to heal in silence. She had to persevere in silence. She had to find power within herself because all other power and protection meant to come from the police, her employer and OUR union, failed her. And has continued to fail way too many others. Not to be forgotten are the principal players and audition committee members that withheld tenure to anyone that supported her to avoid scandal. What I must to say about this coming to light is that all of the classical music world must do better. Every orchestra, union representative, colleague, pedagogue, and educational institution. For the many others just like Cara. She should not be defined by this article or this trauma and violation for the remainder of her career. Her playing and strength as a musician and human should define her. But, these criminals SHOULD be defined by this forever. I ask all of you to remember their names: Liang Chang and Matthew Muckey. And know they are not fit to be on a stage anywhere to make music that should unite and transcend. They are not worthy and are a disgrace not just to our profession, but humanity. The New York Philharmonic has issued a statement as well as the new president of the local AFM. The NYTimes article can be found here. It does look like there seem to be positive steps moving forward.
IJM not only liberates those that are oppressed, but prosecutes the perpetrators and lobbies for legislation to stop trafficking, and abuse at the source. Does the symphony community need to enlist their expertise? Let’s not ever be silent again.
Last Day! Crowdfund ends at 11:59 pm tonight! 
. But, this project and what it stands for requires me putting it all out there… and that is exactly what I am prepared to do. No shame, just drive for something bigger and better than just myself. You have all joined me in this journey, and I am so happy you’re here with me! Your participation makes this project beautiful. 
Mary Beth Orr 