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Message from the Executive Director

The Biggest Challenge

KIM CORBEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Remember when everyone was looking for Waldo...that kid with circular
specks, a bobble hat and a red-and-white striped shirt hiding out in puzzle
book scenes? Well, last year, two Brits released The World's Greatest Music
Festival Challenge, a rockin' "seek and find" for music lovers.

Each scene highlights an iconic moment in music festival history. While it's
pretty easy to find Crosby Stills & Nash and The Who at Woodstock, it's much more difficult to find Pink Floyd, the
Police and Public Enemy watching Nirvana blow the crowd away at the 1992 Reading Festival. You've got to be a
serious music fan to take up that challenge.

But, seriously, you are. You just took on one of the biggest music challenges in the Phil's history--and met it
in record time. Last season, we announced a 16-month, $200,000 matching gift challenge from one of our
generous donors. Well, we certainly didn't have to look very hard for Phil fans. You didn't blend into the music fest
background waiting to be found. You stepped up and not only met the challenge--you exceeded it in less than six
months. I knew you could. I knew you would. Thank you!

Challenges like this don't come along very often, and they certainly inspire giving. During this challenge, 23% of
the donors increased their gifts from the previous year; another 25% donated to the Phil for the very first time. In
addition, 10% of the gifts came from Phil fans who had given in the past, but not in the last year. Wow! Impressive.
Thank you for stepping up in such a big way.

I wish the success of this challenge meant we could sit back, enjoy the music and stop searching for additional
funding. But, every year, we need to raise almost a half million dollars above ticket sales to keep the orchestra
thriving. Every year, we need to find new sources of revenue so that we can continue to bring world-class music and
educational programming to South Shore communities. And, every year, we need to ask for your help. So, if you
haven't made a donation recently, please consider making one now. Your donation matters.

Find out more about The Biggest Challenge at www.plymouthphil.org/blog

In this ongoing column, Executive Director Kim Corben takes you out of the concert hall and behind the scenes of the
Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra to keep you informed of the organization’s initiatives and achievements, and its
impact in our schools and community. Contact Kim at 508.746.8008 or email k.corben@plymouthphil.org.