Overture Magazine: 2017-2018 Season November-December 2017 | Page 43
SYMPHONY FUND HONOR ROLL
David Nickels and Gerri Hall
DAVID NICKELS AND GERRI HALL met 30 years ago singing in the
National Presbyterian Church choir. David’s father was a Foreign
Service officer and sang in choruses; his mother was a concert pianist.
Gerri grew up in rural South Dakota and studied clarinet.
Her father was a farmer and also
directed choirs, and her family was
active in local concerts. Music
remained central throughout their
careers—his with the State Department,
hers in Transportation and Safety.
David and Gerri credit the BSO in
co-founding Strathmore: “We never
expected the orchestra to land in our back
yard!” The first time David heard a live
professional orchestra, it was the BSO.
After retiring, he became one of the first
volunteer ushers when Strathmore opened
in 2005. David and Gerri immediately
subscribed and have increased
their annual support over the years.
They are Strathmore Governing
Members and frequently attend both
Strathmore and Meyerhoff events.
“For us, being actively involved with the
BSO means supporting it with our time,
talents and resources. Our personal
connections with musicians, staff,
GM’s and other donors and subscribers
are especially meaningful.”
David and Gerri have made a bequest
through their will, designating a
percentage of the remainder of their
estate to the BSO. “Our legacy gift is
intended to express heartfelt thanks
to our BSO ‘family’ for the enormous
impact it has had, and continues to
have, in our lives,” says the couple.
“This arrangement demonstrates our
philanthropic commitment and allows
for economic uncertainties.”
Gerri was “on cloud nine” after
performing in a Rusty Musicians concert
in 2011. She attended the next BSO
Academy and has participated every
year since. They are also very
committed to OrchKids, OrchLab
and all BSO outreach and education
activities, including Musical Mondays.
“In truth, our annual investment in the
orchestra is self-serving,” David says,
“given how much we love hearing the
BSO play and all that Gerri has gained
from her Academy experiences.”
They love their front-row seats at
Strathmore, saying, “We hope that our
gift inspires others to make the BSO part
of their legacies too. The BSO gives so
much to Baltimore, Montgomery County
and the surrounding communities. We
want the orchestra and its members to
thrive so we can enjoy them for many
more years!”
YOUR MUSICAL LEGACY
Please let us know if you have named the BSO in your estate plans—we would like to thank you!
To learn more, please contact Sara Krusenstjerna, Director of Philanthropic Planning,
at 410.783.8087 or [email protected]. Please visit BSOmusic.giftplans.org.
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