There are very few moments in one’s professional career that can bring the kind of excitement and joy that has been bestowed upon us over the past six months. On September 15, 2008, the School of Music had an opportunity to work with other members of the UW Arts Institute to put on a Gala celebration thanking now-retired Chancellor John Wiley for all he has done, not only for music, but for all the arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This event took place at the new Overture Center down the street from us (read more here), and featured our student musicians in all their splendor! One of Chancellor Wiley’s key initiatives during his years as chancellor was to help usher in the entire East Campus Gateway campus concept that will ultimately include all new facilities for the School of Music. And, it was at this event that the Chancellor’s final remarks of the evening were used to announce two anonymous gifts totaling $20,000,000 to be used to help finance the first of two phases in the construction of the new School of Music facilities, specifically our two new concert halls!

Being able to be a part of this incredible gesture of support for music in general and our artistic and educational programs in specific has been truly overwhelming and humbling. Everyone at the School of Music—students, faculty, staff, support groups—has worked so hard for so many years and accomplished so much, that it is indeed very rewarding to have those efforts acknowledged through such expansive generosity. I am always reminding everyone I meet that we are truly a School of Music with international stature, and now we are one giant step closer to having the facilities to make it truly shine.

In response to these two gifts, the UW Foundation is working closely with the School of Music to help insure that we are able to raise the additional $18,000,000 needed to complete phase one, but I am very hopeful that the world is actually full of individuals who share in the vision of these anonymous donors, and will be there to help and support us in our efforts to make this dream a reality.

Please join us in this quest in any way that you feel you can, and rest secure in the knowledge that you will be part of something very, very special!

John Wm. Schaffer