June 2023
Dear Treasured YTA Friends,
I am writing with heartfelt gratitude for your interest in YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS. Please accept our invitation to join The Campaign for Young Texas Artists among wonderful new and old friends.
Our theme, “Enduring Quality,” reflects the staying power and comfort of classical music, a YTA cornerstone, as well as the devotion and character of our steadfast donors in challenging times.
The campaign supports our 2023 Annual Fund, the second of only two YTA fundraisers each year. Annual Fund is extremely important to meet budget goals and extend YTA’s reach to even more community audiences and promising Texas musicians. I am so impressed by young artists’ hard work! Struggling to make ends meet, they valiantly pursue their dreams.
Please help YTA develop their potential for excellence, progress and jobs. Gifts in any amount help us provide vital career guidance, performance opportunities, professional contacts and critiques plus $40,000 in cash awards for the 2024 Young Texas Artists Music Competition.
Donors giving $300 and above to the campaign will be invited this fall to a special appreciation event with performances by celebrated YTA medalists.
I would love to see you there and to hear from you soon!
With appreciation for your consideration,
Susie Moore Pokorski
President/CEO
YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS
Young Texas Artists, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
1608 PINE OAK DRIVE, CONROE, TEXAS 77034 936.756.7017 susie@youngtexasartists.org
YOUNGTEXASARTISTS.ORG
PLEASE JOIN THE CAMPAIGN!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! ANNUAL FUND DONATIONS IN ANY AMOUNT WILL BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED. TO HONOR YOUR INTERESTS AND PREFERENCES, SPECIFIC GIVING LEVELS ARE LISTED ON THE ONLINE DONATION FORM ALONG WITH SPECIAL OPTIONS AND DESIGNATIONS BELOW.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING
ANNUAL FUND SINGLE GIFT
Please note Donor Levels ($300 - $10,000) on the online donation form for non-designated tax-deductible gifts.
MONTHLY GIVING
Your gift can be paid automatically each month in the amount and time period you note when donating online. Giving monthly is an easy way to make a difference throughout the year.
CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS
If your company provides matching gifts, your donation can be doubled! Check with the human resources department for a matching form and send in when received.
TRIBUTE GIFTS
Express appreciation to someone who has enriched your life. Honor or memorialize a loved one with a YTA Tribute Gift – in the name of a relative, friend, or associate. Note on online donation form.
GIFTS OF STOCKS & SECURITIES, OTHER NON-CASH ASSETS
An appreciated asset gift can bring the same income tax deduction as a cash gift plus avoidance of capital gains taxes on the appreciation. Please contact Susie Pokorski about this type of gift. (susie@youngtexasartists.org, 936-756-7017)
LEGACY GIFTS
Consider a future gift with ongoing impact by designating a YTA bequest in your will or estate plan. This can include YTA as a beneficiary of life insurance, IRAs, or other qualified retirement plan accounts.
Young Texas Artists, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
founded and headquartered in Montgomery County, Texas.
Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent provided by the law.
WHEN CHALLENGES AND CHANGE ASSAULT QUALITY OF LIFE AND ORDER, WHAT A REFUGE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC CAN BE! FOUNDATIONAL TO YTA'S MISSION IS THE ENDURING QUALITY OF BEAUTIFUL CLASSICAL MUSIC. WHETHER TIME-HONORED FOR CENTURIES OR EXCITING NEW WORKS, THIS WORLD-CLASS MUSIC EXUDES HARMONY, STRUCTURE AND LASTING VALUE. UNIQUELY IMPORTANT IN THESE TIMES, CLASSICAL MUSIC IS ALSO A STABILIZER, BOTH GROUNDING AND ELEVATING, A TREASURE TO BE SHARED, SUPPORTED AND PRESERVED.
THE CAMPAIGN
(JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER, 2023)
This year’s annual fund is dedicated to the enduring quality of classical music and you who are YTA’s most loyal supporters of the timeless art form we love.
Young Texas Artists has two separate fundraisers each year – the benefit gala, Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue in March and now our annual fund, The Campaign for Young Texas Artists. This campaign supplements 2023 gala revenue to meet operating budget objectives and enhance cultural quality and efficiency of YTA programs to serve more artists and audiences.
Pianist Kenny Broberg, 2012 YTA Silver Medalist, won the 2017 Silver Medal in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
2019 Grammy Winner, Jessica E. Jones, 2012 YTA contestant, performed at the 2019 Annual Fund donor appreciation evening.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THE 2023 ANNUAL FUND CAN PROVIDE:
FOR YTA COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS
- Cash Awards – continue at $40,000
- Performance Awards – add important Texas opportunities for Finalists
- Career Development – expand services, including individual mentoring
- Alumni Services – offer career development and performance opportunities
FOR YTA AUDIENCES AND COMMUNITIES, LOCAL AND STATEWIDE
- Classical Music Enrichment – virtual and live opportunities
- Upgraded YTA Website & Digital Capabilities – increased connectedness with our audiences
- Collaborations with Texas Symphonies and other presenters – building audiences for classical music and YTA medalists and extending YTA influence and statewide support
DONOR RECOGNITION: Individuals or couples giving at least $300 to the campaign will be honored guests this fall at an exceptional Annual Fund donor appreciation party and performance. They will be recognized in the invitation and program. All campaign donors will be listed on the YTA website, in the newsletter, in next year’s campaign materials as well as the gala invitation and program.
SPECIAL THANKS
To an anonymous donor for kindly underwriting these annual fund materials.
RAVE REVIEWS FOR YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS
“The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra has featured two YTA artists who delighted our audiences with talent at the level of seasoned touring soloists. Working with YTA artists always brings a big bang for the buck.“
Darryl Beyer, Artistic Director, The Woodlands Symphony Orchestra
“The concert went great – the YTA Artists were wonderful to work with and are amazing musicians. It is such a pleasure to collaborate with the winners from the competition!“
Ryan Ross, Principal Guest Conductor, Allen Philharmonic Orchestra
“[YTA is]...a competition with national significance.”
David Ashley White, Director of Moores School of Music, University of Houston
“First of all, warm congratulations on a successful Young Texas Artists Music Competition. I’ve heard so much about the competition from my students over the years, and it’s a competition I always encourage my students to enter.”
Jon Kimura Parker, Professor of Piano, Shepherd School of Music, Rice University.
“YTA is such a prestigious competition in Texas, and the quality of their participants is so outstanding that it makes good sense for us to welcome them to perform with us. We love showcasing great Texas talent, and the audience loves the opportunity to witness stars of the future before anyone else!”
Gayle Laminack, Past President, Conroe Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors.
“Clara’s playing was truly a touch of heaven! She played with such sensitivity, virtuosity, and fitness, and she took our breath away even during rehearsals. It was pure joy to perform with her. I am looking forward to our collaboration with this year’s Grand Prize winner.”
Libi Lebel, Artistic Director, Texas Medical Center Orchestra
WHAT YTA MEANS TO ME
Classical music has always made sense to me; it’s beautiful. Some of the finest sermons I’ve ever heard are from classical music – it moves me like nothing else. YTA brings in judges who are some of the finest classical music professionals. They listen to the young artists, give them feedback on their playing and advice on next steps they should take. It’s just a wonderful opportunity. I’m so proud to have been involved since the late 1980s.” Richard Griffin, Chair, YTA Board of Directors, formerly Superintendent of Conroe ISD, university professor and education consultant
“From the first time I attended a YTA Competition, I have been in awe of the talent that the Competition brings to our community. My husband and I have enthusiastically supported YTA as sponsors because we believe in the mission and in the caliber of the presentation. Each year brings a new level of excellence and renewed hope in the future of classical artists.
Dr. Doug and Carol Aycock, longtime supporters; Carol is a YTA Board Member
WHAT DOES YTA MEAN TO YOU? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
OUR MOST GRATEFUL APPRECIATION
YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS (YTA) is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit presenter of music competitions and events, career development programs and cultural enrichment outreach.
We educate, inspire, and build audiences for classical music and the other fine arts.
YTA has been inspiring excellence in Texas since 1983.
YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS has helped to launch careers of nearly 3,000 classical musicians in Texas and enriches the quality of life in our communities. A cultural jewel of Montgomery County, YTA is nationally and internationally recognized and has received official designation by the State of Texas. These achievements are made possible by our truly exceptional donors and volunteers.
Emerging Texas artists have seen dreams come true. YTA alumni include a Grammy winner and two nominees, leading singers at the Metropolitan Opera, a 2017 silver medalist in the famed Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and others performing or teaching at major orchestras, opera companies, conservatories and institutions throughout the world.
Two cornerstones of YTA are the acclaimed Young Texas Artists Music Competition and the Career Development Program. They provide important professional guidance, including valued critiques from esteemed Competition judges, and performance opportunities vital to progress and jobs.
An Official Music Competition of the State of Texas, the YTA contest is unique. It is open to classical artists, ages 18-32, who are Texas residents or affiliated with a Texas music school. It is also the only competition in Texas with four divisions: Voice; Piano; Strings; and Orchestral Instruments. Judges are distinguished professionals from leading orchestras, operas and music conservatories.
Thanks to loyal supporters, YTA was able to weather two pandemic-cancelled seasons and stage a major comeback in 2022, THE YTA FINE ARTS WEEKEND. Featured were YTA’s 37th annual music competition, its finalists’ concert & awards (Concert of Classics) and benefit gala (Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue). The YTA weekend also presented three invitationals to showcase young Texas artists in modern dance, literary arts, and a contemporary art show.
OUR MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE
EXCELLENCE IN YOUNG TEXAS MUSICIANS,
INSPIRE THEIR AUDIENCES AND
ENRICH THE CULTURAL LIFE OF OUR STATE.