14 Feb PR: 15th Anniversary Campaign Fully Funded

LES DÉLICES ANNOUNCES ITS AMBITIOUS $200K FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IS FULLY FUNDED

 Chamber ensemble Les Délices is proud to announce that it has secured $200,000 in private donations, fully funding its first-ever Capital Campaign – a landmark achievement for “Cleveland’s tiny powerhouse”. With a twelve-person Board of Directors and staff of six, LD is a small but mighty NEO organization that presents an annual series of concerts, hosts outreach and community events throughout the year, tours nationally, regularly releases albums, and produces a webseries and podcast.

Initiated as part of the ensemble’s 15th Anniversary Season, LD’s Capital Campaign was designed to promote the ensemble’s long-term sustainability by increasing cash reserves, improving staff structure and artist compensation, and enabling us to enhance our programming through new commissions and recording projects.

Improvements to Staff Structure and Compensation

The money raised through this Capital Campaign is already having a major impact on Les Délices’ structure and future plans. With funding secured, LD hired Sarah Lynne Bailey as its part-time Production Assistant and made cost-of-living adjustments for staff members. LD has also increased its Artist Fees by 25% to bring compensation in line with our peer organizations. LD also plans to hire an additional staff member to support its growing outreach initiatives and local school partnerships; applications are now open for the position of Artist Educator.

Key Funding for Mythology Project

The Capital Campaign also provides critical funding for Les Délices’ multi-year commissioning project The Mythology Project, aimed at expanding and diversifying early music repertoire. The funds enable the composition, performance, recording, and distribution of three new cantatas for voice with an ensemble of period instruments. The first of three new commissioned cantatas will premiere as part of A Moment’s Oblivion with Nicholas Phan, (live performances are in Cleveland Heights and Rocky River February 22nd and 23rd, 2025). Additional World Premieres are scheduled for Les Délices’ 2025-26 and 2026-27 concert seasons.

Says Les Délices Executive Director Laura Potter, “The Les Délices community has gone above and beyond pledging support for the campaign. We have learned so much about what our audience values in our programming, and it’s inspiring to see the remarkable enthusiasm for securing Les Délices’ future. I’m very grateful to our fans near and far for doubling down on Les Délices as we navigate an exciting phase of growth and find new ways to serve our community.”

Founder and Artistic Director Debra Nagy added, “It’s been an incredible journey getting to Les Délices’ 15th Anniversary. Thanks to our board, staff – and our passionate  supporters – the organization is well positioned to continue to deliver innovative and unique programs that excite audiences to make cultural connections across music and history.”

Les Délices thanks its proactive Board of Directors and passionate supporters for helping LD realize and even exceed its goals for this Campaign. We acknowledge Henry Peyrebrune for his invaluable consulting help in devising the blueprint for the Campaign.

Les Délices gratefully acknowledges those who have pledged donations to the 15th Anniversary Campaign

Multi-year pledges and major gifts

Bonnie Baker
Ana de Freitas Boe & Debra Nagy
William Busta & Joan Tomkins
James Collins & Patricia Brownell
De Priest Family Foundation
Gerry Fathauer & Jeff Hutchinson
George Flanders
Michael Frank & Pat Snyder
John & Joanne Goodell
Patricia Hanley & Robert Morris
Emily Honsa Hicks
Ursula Korneitchouk
Deborah Malamud
Carmina Mares
Susan McClary & Rob Walser
Marilyn & Thomas McLaughlin
Virginia & James Meil
Charlotte & Jack Newman
Greg Nosan & Brandon Ruud
Cynthia Peck & William Johnston
Laura Potter
Arthur Rotatori & Tara Fields
Astri Seidenfeld
Frank Shoemaker
Daniel & Ruth Shoskes
Shirley Simmons
Nancy & Kempton Smith
Joseph Sopko & Elizabeth Macintyre
Marc Vincent & Alex Nalbach
Michael Yamin
Doreen & John Ziska

Additional campaign supporters:

Stephen Bloch
Dennis & Madeline Block
James Collins & Patricia Brownell
David & Posie Dauphiné
JoLynn Edwards
Tovah Klein
Jimmy Madsen
Scott Metcalfe
Paula Mindes
Peter Nagy
Jane Richmond
James Riggs
Lois Rosow
Michael Sopko
Joey Sopko
Mickey Stefanik
Ronald & Eugenia Strauss
Jean Toombs
Nancy Tooney
Susan VanVorst
James & Virgina Whittenberger