GEM Fund Case Statement

The Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, under the direction of Robert Genualdi, has become the premier youth orchestra program in Connecticut.  Bob retired at the end of the 2006-07 season after 26 years of distinguished leadership with the GBYO.  To honor him, the GBYO Board proudly announces the creation of the Genualdi Enrichment in Music (GEM) Fund, the GBYO’s first endowed fund. 

Enrichment experiences dramatically raise the level of excellence for which the GBYO is widely recognized. These experiences include performing with noted guest artists and premiering commissioned compositions. The purpose of the GEM Fund is to provide an annual income that will ensure that the GBYO can always provide such opportunities.

Our goal is to raise $50,000  for the GEM Fund.  The GBYO Board members collectively pledged $10,000 toward this goal.  Other donations from special friends of GBYO have brought the total raised in 2007 to approximately $35,000.

GBYO’s mission is to provide opportunities for talented youth to study and perform the world’s greatest music literature. The GBYO comprises four developmentally sequential performing ensembles: the Principal, the Symphony, the Concert, and the String Orchestras. These ensembles are supported by a full range of professional educators, coaches and conductors. Membership includes over 240 gifted young musicians from 30 communities in Fairfield and New Haven counties. They are guided by a staff of four conductors and five coaches.  The GBYO has performed in a number of venues within and outside Connecticut.  The Principal Orchestra has traveled to Europe and has performed at Carnegie Hall and the United Nations in New York City.  The Symphony, Concert and String Orchestras recently performed at Woolsey Hall at Yale University in New Haven.  The GBYO Program also includes Annual Retreats that provide intensive rehearsals and valuable social interaction for each of the four orchestras.

 In addition to providing talented young musicians opportunities to perform the world’s greatest music, the GBYO offers its members unique musical and life enriching experiences.  Under Bob Genualdi’s leadership, the Principal Orchestra has included nationally and internationally acclaimed soloists on its programs.  Some recent artists include pianist Estelle Olevsky, violinists Joseph Genualdi and Scott St. John, and David Ohanian, French horn, formerly of the Canadian and Empire Brass quartets.  The GBYO also commissions new works to afford our young musicians an opportunity to present World Premiere performances and to interact with living composers.  These composers include Christopher Brubeck, who has written for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra; and David Clarke Isele, who has many published works to his credit.

Your tax deductible contribution can be made payable to GBYO and sent to:

GBYO
PO Box 645
Fairfield, CT  06824