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Music Moves Us
Now through September 30, your donation towards live music goes twice as far thanks to a $50,000 Matching Gift. Support today to maintain the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra for years to come!
Support Live Music
Milwaukee Ballet believes in the power of live music to elevate productions, inspire audiences, and maintain collaborative artistry.
This year, we are grateful to an anonymous donor for underwriting the full cost of our beloved Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra for The Nutcracker. However, this current financial climate means that live music is never a guarantee: That's why we need YOUR support.
From now through September 30, every gift made towards our Live Music Fund will be matched up to $50,000. As you double your impact, you also provide much-needed surety for our musicians, dancers, students. and audiences.
It takes the support of many—like you!—to ensure that the synergy between dance and music endures. Thank you for considering a gift today!
A Letter from Alana Griffith
Dear Friends,
When I perform to live music, I feel magic. Hearing the opening note ring out as I step into the lights, knowing that every movement I make will be in harmony with a group of passionate musicians below, brings new life into my dancing and enhances every aspect of my performance, from technique to emotional connection and beyond. From Marie in The Nutcracker to Mina in Dracula, many of my favorite moments on stage have been accompanied by our stunning Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra.
As a Company of professionals, my fellow dancers and I are certainly capable of performing to a recorded soundtrack—but the experience is nowhere near the same for us, nor for you in the audience. Without the orchestra, a very particular source of inspiration and passion is missing for everyone.
Like you, I was disappointed when we learned that Milwaukee Ballet was not financially able to host the orchestra for The Nutcracker this year, and we are so grateful for the anonymous donor that generously underwrote the expense for the upcoming holiday season. But that gift is a one-time fix; it is now up to us to unite and ensure that the orchestra plays on for years to come.
I write to you today asking for your integral support for the music that—quite literally!—moves us. With Milwaukee Ballet being one of the few ballet companies in the nation to maintain its own orchestra, it is crucial that we retain this element of our artistry; but with rising costs and corresponding financial challenges, we can’t do it without your help.
Now through September 30, your gift will be matched up to $50,000 thanks to the contribution of another generous donor. Whether you support with $50 or $5,000, your impact will go twice as far towards keeping live music part of our performances!
To the donors who have or will support our live music fund: Thank you. You have no idea how much it means to every single dancer in the Company, but I hope you will experience it in the passion of our performances; see it in the awestruck faces of our youngest audience members and the enthusiasm of our longtime fans; and hear it in the chatter and good cheer of the orchestra below. Like all of us, your support plays a key role in bringing the magic onstage to life.
With gratitude,
Alana Griffith
Milwaukee Ballet Leading Artist
By the Numbers
A live orchestra is no small feat! Here's what it takes to host our musicians for three full-length story ballets, including The Nutcracker:
- $250,000-$300,000 for the season
- Up to 42 musicians playing 20 different instruments
- Up to 75 dancers collaborating on stage
- 40,000+ audience members of all ages delighted and inspired
Together, we can keep the music that moves us alive. Support by September 30 to double your impact!
Our Orchestra
Milwaukee Ballet is proud to be one of the few remaining ballet companies in the United States to maintain its own orchestra. Meet our talented musicians and conductors while you anticipate hearing them play some of the most iconic music in the classical canon.