As the Board President of the Fisher Ensemble, I am writing to update you on the Ensemble's activities and ask for your support.

Last year the Fisher Ensemble embarked on our first national tour, including performances New York’s Judson Memorial Church and the HERE Arts Center, Kansas City, and Seattle.   In the fall, we will premiere a new opera, Psyche at Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park, with the help of the City of Seattle. The innovative site-specific work will be performed by the ensemble, dancers, actors, and life-sized puppets.  In November, we’ll return to New York’s Judson Memorial Church to perform Moon in the Bucket; and in 2009, we’ve been invited to perform The Passion of Saint Thomas More at the Louth Contemporary Music Society in Ireland.

As you may know, honoraria from presenters cover only the most basic performance costs, and we are typically on our own to cover costs for developing and touring work.  While our board and support staff are volunteer, we are committed to paying performers and artistic collaborators.  Fisher's visionary work knows no bounds, so unconventional production elements -- for example, life-sized puppets -- as well as rehearsal space for creating and rehearsing new work, require real dollars.

As the Fisher Ensemble is a registered non-profit organization, any donation you make is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In addition, if your employer matches such contributions, you may be able to double your impact. Please inquire at your HR office.

If you wish to direct a gift to a specific work or creation of a new work, please contact me about being listed "co-producer" and receive special behind-the-scenes benefits for your contribution of $2,500 or more.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with me about the ensemble, I welcome your call.  I appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely,