The Challenge:  In addition to the recession that has affected us all; the main challenge for Grace Notes has been a delay in many of the projects we set out to accomplish this year.  Our Artistic Director (me) was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer and spent the first 9 months battling this illness.  Consequently many of the projects that I was spearheading had to be postponed.

The Triumph:  I have successfully battled this illness back into remission.  But equally important, I and the Grace Notes team are eager to get back to what we do – which is sharing music with others and passing on the tradition through education.

Many thanks to JazzTimes, JazzEd, Jazz Inside NY and JazzImprov magazines for generously donating advertising space to allow us to maintain name recognition during this difficult time.  And special thanks to our Corporate Sponsor, Creative Computing Center, Inc.

We have many wonderful programs and projects planned for 2010 (see below).

After this second successful bout with breast cancer, I realized that, more than ever, it was time to pursue my true passion: sharing music with others and passing on the tradition to the next generation.  Music – and singing in particular – has such a healing power.  We are exploring grants to allow us to offer free singing workshops at hospitals for other cancer patients.

Your support will help make this possible.

At Grace Notes we have a unique approach.  Very few music organizations are dedicated exclusively to singers.  Plus, because of our involvement with technology and as a pioneer in online education, Grace Notes is able to offer education and performance broadcasts online to reach beyond our New York base.  But this comes with increased costs.

You can help by becoming a member of Grace Notes Music!

This is why I want to personally ask you to join us as a member of Grace Notes Music with the most generous tax-deductible gift you can afford. 

Grace Notes Music is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Your membership gift today will support Grace Notes’ current and 2010 planned projects. 

Current Projects

• Our special thanks to the Coordinating Council for Music at New York University for extending the grant deadline awarded to Grace Testani to produce a collaborative music event called Singin’ & Swingin’ with the Band, which features 8 voices, a jazz octet, and new, hip arrangements. We will be sending you information about this exciting event in the coming months.
  
  
• We are collaborating with Creative Computing Center, Inc. to develop an online Accounting for Artists course for Fractured U, the online university of Fractured Atlas.

Planned Projects

• Grace Notes Records is planning a recording by Grace Testani featuring the music of Wayne Shorter – with national and international promotional tours.
  
  
• The Singers Center will be adding new classes such as: Rhythm Grooves for Singers, Creating a Digital Press Kit, Social Media for Marketing & Promotion, the Masters Series (with well-known vocalists) and free webinars on Introduction to Social Media and more.  We are also expanding our student base with new talent internationally and adding new instructors.
  
  
• We will continue to offer our highly successful and jointly sponsored Teens Program with the New York Public Library, and provide a vocal jazz program for The Collective School of Music’s exchange students from Denmark.
  
  
• Your contribution will also allow us to broaden our reach to singers all over the globe by utilizing new and emerging technologies.  We are actively using Social Media and revamping our current website.  You can follow Grace and Grace Notes Music on FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace and more.
  
  
• We are also investing in exporting The Singers Center and Grace Notes recording artists through clinician workshops, residencies and performances in colleges and community art centers.

Yes, our goals are ambitious.  But our love of music, wanting to share that joy with others and the deep desire to pass on the tradition demands our highest aspirations.

We will only succeed, however, with your help.  Please become a member of Grace Notes Music today with the most generous tax-deductible gift you can afford!  Music and artists have always had patrons who recognize the importance of art in our lives.  They understand that the arts need support beyond the sale of tickets or tuition.  Your support is much appreciated.

Thank you for your support…and for doing your part for the art of vocal performance!

Sincerely,
Grace Testani
Founder & Artistic Director, Grace Notes Music

P.S.  Please join today while this letter is still in your hands.  Our memberships start at $25.  However, any size contribution you can make is appreciated. We have created various membership levels with a host of benefits that we hope you’ll find attractive.  See Membership Benefits and RSVP form for more details.  *Please make note of our higher membership levels when considering your gift.

*** Please Note:
For contributions to be tax-deductible in 2009,
Checks must be RECEIVED NO LATER THAN December 26, 2009 for proper processing!
Credit card contributions must be submitted by December 29, 2009.

Happy Holidays!

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