Print and view 2007 Make Me a Maestro contribution form [PDF]
 

John and Cindy Paschen

    Cowboy Jack

Brian and Gina Smith

Click on photo to find out more about our wonderful candidates.
 

Here’s how it works...

The contestant who raises the most votes will conduct one composition at the Central Iowa Symphony’s February 24 concert on the stage of Ames City Auditorium.

Now let’s be very clear here: Votes mean dollars. And there’s nothing fair about this contest. Vote early. Vote often. Vote generously. Vote for more than one candidate.

Use this form [PDF] below and mail in your "votes" for your favorite candidate by February 17. Every one of your “votes” will be used to support this wonderful orchestra.

This fun contest is possible because of lots of good sports: James Hannon, who is willing to relinquish his baton for one composition. The orchestra members, who will know this particular piece very well. The contestants, who are all winners.

What John and Cindy Paschen have to say

John Paschen is a pediatrician at McFarland Medical Clinic in Ames.

Our daughters have helped us learn just how rich the arts experience in Ames can be. With them, we have participated in theater, dance, and music of all kinds. Our youngest daughter had the chance to sing with Simon Estes and dance at the farmer’s market and the state fair. Our oldest has performed Shakespeare in downtown parks. The opportunities for participants and observers are vast.

Through it all, we have largely been in the background, driving the girls to rehearsals, helping with makeup and costumes, cheering in the audience. At last, with your help, we will have our moment in the sun and Central Iowa Symphony will benefit from our folly. Avast ye mateys and make us maestros! We’ll even stop talking like pirates! Send your check today and vote for the Paschens as your very temporary conductors of this fine local orchestra

 The Central Iowa Symphony was the product of the vision of a few musicians with the desire to create fine classical music for central Iowa. The symphony’s $50,000 annual budget provides for conductor stipends, music rental, copyright fees, concert hall reservations, musician scholarships and publicity. Donations account for half our symphony’s budget. The other half comes from grants and ticket sales.

 We will not let you down. We may not both fit on the conductor’s stand, but for that bit of drama, you will have to attend the concert on Saturday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Ames City Auditorium. On behalf of the Central Iowa Symphony, we thank you for your consideration.

 -- Your Maestro Wannabes
 

Calling all Amigos, Buckaroos & CIS supporters!
[A message from Jack and Renee Payne]

Jack Payne leads the Iowa State University Extension program.

I am writing to ask for your help. You won't believe what I have gone and gotten myself into this time. My good compadres, Dave and Willa Holger, put my hat in the ring for the Central Iowa Symphony’s Make Me a Maestro fundraiser.

As scary as it seems, if I win, I’ll conduct the Central Iowa Symphony on February 24. Believe me, the orchestra is already in nervous shock from the anticipation of me being their conductor!

Another way to look at it is that if you vote for the other guys and gals running for Make Me a Maestro, I won’t need to put the orchestra and you through all of that. Either way, please send your vote to support the Central Iowa Symphony, because they are good folks and need the money to keep a great Iowa tradition going strong.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Central Iowa Symphony, it’s a community orchestra made up of over 60 professional musicians, music educators, student performers, and accomplished amateurs from a five-county area in central Iowa. It’s not a greenhorn organization either. CIS has been around since 1987.

The way I figure it, supporting the Central Iowa Symphony seems like a no-brainer. After all, you appreciate good music and see the value in giving the community’s top student-artists a chance to perform, right?

Then you can sit back with your lemonade or favorite adult beverage, and have a good chuckle while I am conducting in my cowboy duds.

-- Cowboy Jack
 

A few words from Brian and Gina Smith

The Smiths own and operate Everts Flowers, Home & Gifts in downtown Ames.

Please join us in supporting a wonderful musical treasure in our area, Central Iowa Symphony.

Central Iowa Symphony had humble beginnings. It was initially the vision of a few musicians with a desire to create fine classical music to give to the central Iowa community. The orchestra has grown, flourished, and is now in its 20th Anniversary Season.

The orchestra relies heavily on donations to pay expenses and volunteers continue to do much of the behind the scenes work. The symphony’s $50,000 annual budget provides for conductor stipends, music rental, copyright fees, concert hall rentals, musician scholarships, and publicity. Donations account for half of the symphony’s budget. The other half comes from grants and ticket sales.

We have been supporters of Central Iowa Symphony for years – not only donating money, but also flowers and holiday concert decorations from our business, Everts Flowers, Home & Gifts. This time we are asking for your help!!!

If the above reasons are not enough to encourage you to send a donation, and since this FUNdraiser has no rules…

Everything’s Coming Up Roses for our donors!!!

• $50 or more donor will receive a beautiful rose from Everts
• $100 or more donor will receive a half dozen roses from Everts
• $500 or more donor will receive a dozen roses from Everts

Thank you for your consideration! We look forward to giving out lots of roses!

-- Brian and Gina Smith