Scroll down to learn more about our Annual Fund and how you can make a difference today!

Your gift today is more important than ever and, more importantly, has an instantaneous positive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of people each year.

From world class concerts at the Warner Theatre to free concerts, piano donations and instrumental petting zoos, your support is vital for all of our artistic and educational programming.

Donations of all sizes are welcomed, whether they be $5 or $5,000.

Outreach programs featured on Good Morning America

In addition to world-class concerts and unforgettable musical experiences, your support also helps fund our innovative educational outreach programming. 

These free events include Youth Concerts, instrumental petting zoos, long-term residencies, piano donations, Music Director and guest artist visits and more!

More than 25% of our annual budget comes from the Phil’s Annual Fund Appeal and enables us to complete our mission: to strengthen the community by providing high quality, live orchestra programs to people of all ages across the region. We truly hope that you will consider supporting the work of the Erie Philharmonic by making a gift to share in the excitement.

In appreciation for your generous support, the Erie Philharmonic is pleased to offer the following updated benefits:

Encore Club Levels 

Gold Baton $5,000+

• Invitation to brunch with Music Director Daniel Meyer and Executive Director Steve Weiser

Silver Baton $2,500-$4,999

• Recognized in season-long concert slideshow

• Exclusive meet-the-artist opportunities

• Voucher for two complimentary tickets

  • Good for subscription concerts only

Bronze Baton $1,750-$2,499

• VIP Encore Club parking pass

• VIP Encore Club lounge admission card for complimentary pre-concert drinks and desserts

• Invitation to sit on stage during an open dress rehearsal and backstage tour

Sustaining Member $1,000-$1,749

• VIP ticketing concierge service

• Four complimentary drink vouchers

• Annual donor appreciation reception

Sustaining Member $500-$999

• Invitation to Pizza with the Players

• Two complimentary drink vouchers

Supporting Member $125-$499

• Gift recognition in program books

• Invitation to attend open rehearsal

Supporting Member $1-$124

• Gift recognition on website

• Invitation to annual Warner Theatre tour

For a donation of $1,750 or more, you gain access to our exclusive Encore Club.  

This dedicated support allows us the ability to continually bring world-class talent and impactful outreach to thousands of people of all ages each year from across the region. 

Membership in this club comes with the following benefits:

• VIP Encore Club parking pass

• VIP Encore Club lounge admission card for complimentary pre-concert drinks and desserts

• Invitation to sit on stage during an open dress rehearsal and backstage tour

The full list of benefits of support can be found by clicking here. 

Contact Elizabeth Valkanas, Development Manager, at 814.455.1375, ext. 114 today to make your gift today.  Parking spots will go quickly!

USE Your IRA for Your Annual Gift and Your Estate Gift

Taxpayers must start taking required minimum distributions from many types of retirement accounts in the year they turn 70.5, whether or not they want or need them.

Objectives Met:

• Reduces my current income tax

• Supports the Erie Philharmonic

• I enjoy seeing the impact of my charitable gift now

• Ensures lasting support for my favorite causes

• Reduces potential impact of federal estate and gift tax

• Reduces tax impact of required minimum distributions

Gift Spotlight:

Betty, aged 80, must take a required minimum distribution of $25,000 this year from her IRA.  She wants to use the funds to make her annual contribution to support the Erie Philharmonic matching gift program for Emanuel Ax.  She usually does not itemize her taxes and thus has the funds transferred directly to us, using the IRA charitable rollover to make her annual contribution.  Betty escapes both federal and state tax.  Betty also decides to make us the beneficiary of her IRA in her estate plan and leave other assets to her loved ones.  She chooses this gift strategy because her loved ones would have to pay income tax on her IRA proceeds.

If the largest asset in your estate is your retirement plan, such as a 401(k), IRA, or Keogh, you may be surprised to learn that the IRS will impose income tax on the remaining balance in the account if you designate it to any other beneficiary, including your spouse.

This tax is in addition to the estate tax that may be imposed on the account. For estates fully subject to the estate tax, the result can be that up to 60 percentof the value of your retirement plan will be consumed in taxes before your child, relative, or friend receives it.

There is a sensible charitable alternative

Name the Erie Philharmonic as the beneficiary of your retirement plan, then use other assets not subject to income tax to make gifts to your heirs. The Philharmonic, as a qualified non-profit, won't pay income tax on our distribution and your heirs will receive their share of your estate without the burden of extra taxes.

Gift Impact:

• Your gift will have an immediate, tangible effect on the Philharmonic.  Examples of this impact include:

• Sponsor busing expenses for children to attend our annual Youth Concerts

• Cover the travel fee or soloist fee for our guest artists

• Cover the cost of musicians for one concert, one series, or the entire season

• Sponsor special events like our Casablanca concert or Emanuel Ax Residency

• Cover the rental fee for the Warner Theatre

To take advantage of this opportunity, please contact Executive Director Steve Weiser at 814.455-1375, ext. 120 or sweiser@eriephil.org

The Erie Philharmonic is a paramount institution in the Erie community thanks to its many dedicated supporters. The Legacy Society is a group of such individuals who have chosen to establish a legacy of their own by remembering the Philharmonic in their estate plans.

As the caretakers of the orchestra, now is the time for us to do our part to ensure future generations will have an orchestra to love and support.

Our Renovated Home!

Legacy Society (as of August 2022)

Lisa Adams and Scott Gordon
Penny and Cle Austin
Susan and Don Baxter
Jean Bloom
Erika Berlin
Joan and Boyd Bert
Diana and John Brautigam
Tom and Susan Brooks
Noel Burgoyne
Julie Cella
Geri Cicchetti
Julie Chacona
Pete Clemens
Andy Connor
Pam and Dave Davis
Amy and Mark Denlinger
Kelly and Michael DeSanctis
Sally and Richard DiBacco
Judy Emling
Bonnie and John Enders
Eriez Magnetics
Wally Faas and Patty Holstein
Lorianne Feltz
Sabrina Fischer
Richard Flynn
Amy and David Fugate
Lisa Graff
Thomas B. Hagen
Mili and Tom Hanes
Charles and Barbara Harris
Nadia Havard
Robb Hoff
Derf and Rita Hopsecger

Why an Endowment?

Because an endowment, held in perpetuity and invested and managed conservatively, augments the annual ticket sales, charitable contributions and corporate sponsorships that fuel our budget.  

Without endowment, ticket prices would climb beyond the means of most concertgoers.  It is an unchallenged truth that only a properly sized endowment stabilizes a good symphony.

Your pledge today puts the orchestra one step closer to permanent fiscal stability.

We want your name or your family name honored.  We look forward to speaking with you about the endowment gift you want to make, so that the orchestra plays for all seasons.

Anonymity is always an option. Individual naming opportunities will recognize significant gifts.

Your Support At Work

Promote your business and support live music in Erie!

The Erie Philharmonic will be back this October for our first full season on the newly-renovated Warner Theatre stage! Program books will be printed and distributed at all concerts.

Advertising with the Erie Philharmonic will give your business or organization the following benefits:

• Ad runs in program books for 13 concerts, starting October 1, 2022

• Ads as low as $225

• Option for color or black & white ads

• Early Birds 10% discount avaiable

• Your financial support helps us to continue to bring in world-class guest artists, visit classrooms, provide music education, piano donations and so much more!

Please contact Marketing Manager Anna Hartvigson today to learn more: anna@eriephil.org or 814.455.1375, ext. 115.

Interested in advertising?

Ad Prices and Sizes*

Discounts are available in addition to the prices below (discounts not combinable):

• 10% off for Early Bird Advertisers

• 10% off for new advertisers

• 15% off for any upgrades (b&w to color, half page to full page, etc.)

• 25% off for non-profits

*If your business or organization is experiecing financial difficulty or constrained budgets, please reach out to discuss other options!

Ad design and payment plans are available, paid in full by the end of our season. For more information, please reach out to anna@eriephil.org or 814.455.1375.

The Erie Philharmonic offers a variety of ways for individuals to get involved as a volunteer. Philharmonic volunteers enjoy contributing to the success of one of our region’s cultural treasures. There are a wide variety of volunteer jobs that need to be filled. Some require only a few hours of your time, while others involve a more serious time commitment. But with the many volunteer options available, there is sure to be one that fits your interests, skills and available time.

Concert Ushers

Volunteer ushers help make an evening at Philharmonic an enjoyable experience for our concert patrons. Ushers help patrons locate their seats, answer questions and generally attend to the comfort and safety of concertgoers. Ushers are needed for each Saturday evening concert presented at the Warner Theatre. Ushers should be customer service oriented. The benefit of serving as a volunteer usher is complimentary admittance to the concert.

Erie Philharmonic Chorus

The Erie Philharmonic Chorus appears several times each concert season, performing both major choral works in the symphonic series, as well as lighter works for the pops series. Chorus members meet weekly from September through April to prepare for choral performances. Although participation is by audition, the Chorus is mostly amateur musicians willing to make the commitment to learn and perform masterworks of the choral literature. Ultimately, enjoying the thrill of performing in the grand Warner Theatre under the auspices of the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra conductor and other guest conductors. is the benefit of being a part of the Chorus.

Office Volunteers

Office volunteers are always needed to perform a variety of tasks such as mailings, phone calls, filing, etc. Office volunteers can assist on an as-needed basis or some may prefer to set a regular schedule.

Fundraising Event Volunteers

Each year the Erie Philharmonic presents a series of fundraising events in support of our mission to share live symphonic music with the region. Volunteers to plan and implement these events are always appreciated. Event volunteers should be detail-oriented, creative and results-driven.

Open Invitation

Do you have a talent or skill you’d like to share with the Erie Philharmonic? Call and let us know. There are many ways you can help besides those listed above. We’d love to hear from you.

To discuss ways to volunteer with the Erie Philharmonic, please contact Jennifer Barron at 814-455-1375 or jennifer@eriephil.org.  Thanks for your interest!