Friends and Funding

The Friends of the Orchestra of the Eastern Shore are local citizens, organizations, businesses, and Orchestra members who donate money and volunteer their time to support the Orchestra. The Friends group was established in 2005, following the Orchestra's award of 501c3 non-profit status, and has faithfully supported the Orchestra’s activities every year since. Although we receive some donations at our concerts, we rely on the Friends for the vast majority of our financial needs. For the orchestra to thrive, we need to grow the Friends group and increase the level of support. If you are not already a supporter, please become a Friend by making a contribution to the Orchestra. Contributions can be made by check or via the donate button near the bottom of this page.

Contributions benefit the Orchestra in several ways. To start with, they provide a secure base of operations by enabling a regular stipend to the music director, purchase of sheet music, honoraria and travel reimbursement for guest soloists, and modest administrative and performance-related expenses. They also provide funding for matching grants.

Fortunately the orchestra continued to rehearse and perform during the peak COVID years of 2020 and 2021. In 2020 the orchestra held masked, spaced rehearsals in a large room at Broadwater Academy and in October performed a well-received, chilly fall outdoor concert at the ESO Arts Center, subsequently recorded and included as the video that appears on our Home page. Another outdoor concert, despite threatening wind and downpours, took place at the same venue in June 2021. Expenses for these concerts were manageable, and revenue was shared with ESO. Our 2021-22 season returned to our traditional format and venues while continuing recommended COVID precautions.

Now, thanks to community interest and unceasing efforts of our wonderful music director, the orchestra continues to grow, adding more strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion, instruments which most standard orchestral works demand. The timpani purchased in August 2021 and played by local timpanist Charlie Stellingwerf were used in all four of our 2021-2022 concerts.

Perhaps most important, local contributions are proof of community value and support. We are most grateful for all contributions. Friends are recognized and listed in our printed concert programs and receive a thank-you letter for tax purposes. Non-monetary support is also very important. Attend our concerts and tell other people about us. Bring a friend or family member to a concert so they can experience classical music performed in beautiful settings. If you know of someone with classical music instrumental experience, perhaps even yourself, please encourage them to consider joining OES. String players are especially welcome.

Please send your contribution to:

OES
PO Box 27
Onancock, VA 23417

To donate by credit/debit card or paypal, click the donate button below. You will quickly receive an email acknowledging your donation.

The Orchestra is also grateful to the town of Onancock, United Way of Virginia's Eastern Shore, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) for their long-time support. Onancock's annual contribution of $500 is matched by the VCA under its Creative Communities Partnership Grant.

Ideas and in-kind donations as well as monetary contributions are welcome. For questions or to be included in our email concert reminder list, contact us at , or call Marion Naar at 757‑442‑2821.