Glimmerglass Opera Guild
The Glimmerglass Opera Guild provides essential volunteer support to the company throughout the year.
With approximately 200 members, the Guild fills a variety of company needs through its various service, fundraising and education programs.
The Guild furnishes suppers for production staff on Saturday afternoons in July and August when hectic schedules do not allow the staff to leave the site for a dinner break between matinee and evening performances. Guild members also help by painting residences used by guest artists, serving as greeters at performances and other events, providing transportation for artists and staff to and from area airports and train stations, assisting with campus landscaping, entering information into databases, and much, much more.
Many Guild members also serve in the corps of volunteer ushers. The Guild averages almost 6,000 hours of volunteer assistance every year. In addition to the many volunteer hours, the Guild collectively contributes more than $20,000 to the company every year through the sponsorship of the Doris P. Shields Artistic Intern, the opening night receptions, and other in-kind donations. Through its many programs and initiatives, the Glimmerglass Opera Guild inspires conversations about opera within its membership and works to encourage an appreciation of the art form within the community.
This wide range of volunteer services allows the company to devote more of its resources toward fulfilling its mission. The Guild's contributions to the company are vital to The Glimmerglass Experience.
Upcoming Events
Post-Performance Cast Parties
The Glimmerglass Opera Guild hosts the very popular and fun cast parties after each production's opening night. Mingle with the artists you just saw on stage and enjoy a wonderful buffet. $15 per person at the door/Free for I-series subscribers.
September 2010 Newsletter
Member Benefits
Membership in the Glimmerglass Opera Guild provides many benefits. Members receive an informative newsletter that includes bi-monthly updates on Guild and company activities. Members also receive invitations to special dress rehearsals, concerts, seminars and special events. For more information about the Glimmerglass Opera Guild and membership, download this brochure or contact Guild President Ed Brodzinsky.
Glimmerglass Opera Guild Brochure
First Night Fund
The First Night Fund offers contributors an opportunity to sponsor one of the Guild’s popular First Performance Cast Parties for cast, crew, orchestra and patrons to celebrate each of the Glimmerglass’s four opening performances during the Festival.
Sponsorship confers several benefits, including choice of sponsored Cast Party, and public and event recognition. Sponsors will be listed on Glimmerglass’s website, in relevant Festival and Guild publications (subject to press date) and on appropriate signage at the First Performance Cast Party. Sponsors (or their representatives) will be introduced at the post-performance Party and enjoy reserved table seating. Exclusive sponsors new to the Guild will receive a free, introductory year of Guild membership.
First Night Fund sponsorship is open to individuals, small groups and businesses. Exclusive sponsorship of a First Performance Cast Party is available for $1,500. A Participating Sponsorship is $500. Contributions to the Fund are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
The Steigelmans are sponsoring the First Performance Cast Party for The Marriage of Figaro on July 17, as a special tribute to Glimmerglass Opera Music Director David Angus. The Cast Party for Tolomeo on July 18 will be sponsored by the First Night Fund Founders group. Sponsors also may choose one of the four operas for the recently-announced 2011 Festival Season: Carmen, Medea, Annie Get Your Gun and double bill of A Blizzard in Marblehead Neck and Later The Same Evening.
The Glimmerglass Opera Guild’s mission is to support Glimmerglass Opera through volunteer service and financial means. Traditionally, the Guild has financed and hosted these cast parties from its own funds, but costs have increased significantly in recent years. New monies raised through the Guild’s First Night Fund will help offset these expenses, generating a larger year-end balance to be contributed to the company.
Guild President Ed Brodzinsky noted, “I’m so pleased that because of this First Night Fund we should be able to significantly increase our support of the company in these difficult financial times.”
The Guild’s contribution to the company, valued at more than $20,000 annually, supports Glimmerglass in many ways, including financing the summer stipend for the Doris Shields Music Intern. The Fund is a financing means only and does not change the Guild’s responsibilities for planning, organizing and hosting the opening performance parties.
If you would like to be a 2010 or 2011 First Performance Cast Party sponsor or know more about the Fund, please call the Guild’s First Night Fund Administrator, Robert Schlather, at Schlather& Birch, (607) 547-5253.
Guild member and usher welcomes an operagoer to Glimmerglass Opera.
Become a Glimmerglass Opera Volunteer Usher
