Our Crowdfunding Groups
UCBSO is going on Tour!
The UCBSO performs in Hertz Hall, 2021The UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra is embarking on a tour to Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Bratislava in the Summer of 2022! Last semester, we eagerly returned to the stage for the first time after 18 months of virtual rehearsals. We also had a successful Fall crowdfunding campaign, raising over $16,000 for our student musicians! However, our first concert of the Spring semester was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, so we need your support more than ever!
We are commissioning new works by UC Berkeley composers to present in each city. We will not only demonstrate the latest developments in music technology and composition, but also showcase the artistic achievements of UC Berkeley students through our expanding classical canon. The orchestra's past tours to Central Europe and Spain were met with enthusiastic audiences and international acclaim. It's sure to be an unforgettable experience. Your support will make this tour a reality for the UCBSO. Please make a gift today!
The Orchestra:
With its 90-year history, the UCBSO is the longest standing orchestra in the UC system. It is comprised of 120 UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and members of the community. The work of the UCBSO exemplifies the outstanding depth of musical achievement from the students of an already internationally renowned university.
Sightseeing during the UCBSO Spain Tour, 2017 The diversity of our members makes this group a special and vital part of our community. The ensemble provides compelling performances of difficult repertoire, despite most of the musicians focusing on academic fields outside of music. The orchestra is replete with high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students working in all fields, from biostatistics to law. Nonetheless, every member attends bi-weekly rehearsals, prepared to work diligently on our repertoire and driven by a shared sense of community and love for music. UC Berkeley is already known on an international level in numerous fields, and we want to heighten awareness of the outstanding depth of musicality that our orchestra possesses. To this end, the UCBSO will be touring four major cities of Central Europe - Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Bratislava - and playing to audiences of thousands of people. This will put UC Berkeley and its music program on the international map.
Why We’re Asking for Your Help:
The majority of our young students lack the financial support to cover the cost of this tour. In the current challenging economic environment at our public university, philanthropy is particularly crucial for our members. Gifts that enable our young musicians to take part in major performance initiatives will make a difference in their lives that will last a lifetime. Your support will go directly to students who do not have the financial means to go on the tour - 100% of your contribution will go directly toward student scholarships, which cover travel, lodging, food, music rentals, and instrument transportation. Every little bit helps; every dollar bring one of our talented musicians closer to Europe. This will be the last crowdfunding campaign before we embark on tour so don't miss out on your last chance to support our musicians. Thank you for making this opportunity possible for our students!
With your contribution, you are directly supporting a student’s participation in this summer’s tour. All donations are tax deductible and will receive an official university tax acknowledgement and ID.
*If you donated to our fall crowdfunding campaign, we thank you and appreciate your generous contribution to our student musicians! Stay tuned for the opportunity to redeem the perks you earned.
We'll add your name to our program books for the rest of this season to recognize your support!
For a donation of $50, you'll get an exclusive digital recording of one of this season's concerts, plus a shoutout in one of our project updates and program books!
For a donation of $75, we will provide you with a digital scrapbook and insider view of our tour, plus the above perks!
You'll have VIP access to a closed rehearsal and seating on stage in your favorite section of the orchestra, plus all of the above perks!
Join David and our students on a backstage tour of Hertz Hall, including a visit to the organ loft, plus you'll enjoy all of the above perks!
You will receive a 15 minute conducting lesson with music director, David Milnes during one of our rehearsals. plus all of the above perks!
