Dear Friends of CCO,

As with many performing arts organizations, we have faced challenging times these past few years. But instead of complaining, we have rolled up our sleeves and set to work. The result has been a reinvigorated company doing more than ever. I’d like to offer several reasons why CCO should be worthy of your support:

• Center for Contemporary Opera produces a full season of American and contemporary operas. Our mission is important and vital. The New Yorker summed it up best when they called us “invaluable”.

• The Center has become ambassadors of American opera. This past December, we performed in Vienna at the famed Konzerthaus to great acclaim and recently received an invitation to perform in Latvia this coming August. Last season, we were invited to China.

• We have begun new programs: ateliers, outreach, recordings, a colloquium series, and libretto readings. We are also now the publishers of New Music Connoisseur, the only magazine devoted exclusively to contemporary music.

• We are fiscally and ethically responsible. CCO is driven by a strategic plan that charts a course towards meeting our artistic, operational, and financial goals.

• Your donation really does make a difference. A $1,000 donation to a well- endowed arts organization is a drop-in-the-bucket to them. That same gift to CCO has a real impact.

We need to raise $60,000 to successfully complete our season. This will fund the world premiere of John Eaton’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and our remaining annual operating costs…which must surely be the lowest in the business.

Our other urgent need is to build our endowment. With a balance of less than $5,000, our endowment exists in name only. The Center for Contemporary Opera’s goal is to be around for the next twenty-seven years (at least!) and the best way to achieve this is through a strong endowment.

About us, the New York Times said, “No company, large or small has a better track record of service to American opera.”

May we ask for your support to help us maintain and even improve upon this track record? You may donate safely on-line trough the link found below. I will also be happy to meet with you to discuss major gifts and naming opportunities.

The Board and I pledge to you that your gift will be used wisely and not a penny wasted.

Thank you again for being part of our success.

Yours truly,

Jim Schaeffer
General Director

PS. For your convenience, you may donate safely on-line through Just Give. Please do so today.Thank you!