We hope this note finds you well and prospering. 

So what is a Reverse Matching Grant Donation Appeal?

As you may recall from our December newsletter, Grace Notes Music was awarded a grant from the New York University Coordinating Council on Music.  They generously extended the grant deadline awarded to adjunct faculty member, 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 an invitation shortly.

It's so rare that singers get a chance to swing with a big band - or in this case an octect (a mini-big band)!

The deadline is this May and we are planning on performing at a New York City Jazz club sometime between April 25th and May 2nd .  But as is frequently the case, the best laid plans need adjusting along the way.  Although we had budgeted $6,000, NYU granted us $3,000 – removing all the stipends for the students.  Because of the delay in the project due to my illness, our expenses will exceed the $3,000 grant.

Here is how your reverse matching donation will help

Typically organizations match individual contributions.  This time we are asking our individual donors to match the organization’s grant.  Our goal is $3,000 and we have already raised $300 toward that goal.  This is why I want to personally ask you to make a matching donation with the most generous tax-deductible gift you can afford. 

Here are just some of the ways your contribution can help

• $25 will pay for one hour of rehearsal space for 16 musicians
  
  
• $50 will pay for the drummer / or bass player transportation costs to the gig. (We call this a cartage cost)
  
  
• $100 will pay for 2 hours of the Musical Director’s time at the rehearsal (we have 11 hours of more rehearsal time)
  
  
• $150 will pay for 1 arrangement from our student arrangers (we have 4 arrangements)
  
  
• $200 will pay the Event coordinator (getting the word out and butts in seats) for 20 hours of her time
  
  
• $300 will pay for the videographer to lug his/her equipment to rehearsals and the gig to chronicle the project.
  
  
• $450 will pay the students subway fare to rehearsals

Any amount would be appreciated and time is short so please consider giving the most generous tax-deductible gift you can afford today!

If donating by credit card, simply go to: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/donate/1227 Grace Notes Music is a sponsored project of Fracture Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions on behalf of Grace Notes Music may be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

If paying by check, please make checks payable to: Fractured Atlas with Grace Notes Music in the memo line   Mail to: Grace Notes Music PO Box 229 – Cathedral Station New York, NY 10025-0029.

Thank you for your support and for doing your part for the art of vocal performance – and helping us sing and swing with the band!

Sincerely,
Grace Testani
Founder & Artistic Director
Grace Notes Music

P.S. Please give today while this letter is still in your hands. Any size contribution you can make is appreciated.

Our special thanks to the Coordinating Council for Music at New York University for extending the grant deadline awarded to Grace Testani to produce this collaborative music event called Singing & Swinging with the Band. We will be sending you the where & when information about this exciting event soon.

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!

About Grace Notes Music
Founded in 1990, Grace Notes is a recording, performance and education center dedicated to promoting contemporary, jazz and world music with an emphasis on vocalists.  More info: Grace Notes Music

About The Singers Center – Sing Jazz and More™
The educational wing of Grace Notes Music, this Center is for singers (all levels) to come together to learn, network, and perform in any style of contemporary music (primarily Jazz, also Blues, Gospel, Rock, Pop, Latin, and Broadway).JazzTimes magazine featured The Singers Center in an article on the Best Jazz Music Schools in the country. More info: The Singers Center

About Our Artistic Director and Founder
Grace Testani has been performing, recording and teaching music for many years.  Grace is co-writer with Chick Correa and Kenny Barron, and has received numerous accolades in such print press as JazzTimes, Jazz Improv, JazzED, New York Post, New York Daily News, JazzWorld Index, All Music Guide, and LA Jazz Scene, to name a few.  Her CD, Something’s Coming, has received airplay both nationally and internationally, and she has been the featured artist for full-length radio shows in Canada, Argentina, Denmark and the United States.  We now add Internet radio stations to that list. 

Grace is on the faculty of New York University – School of Continuing Studies, NYU Certified Organizational, Executive, Business and Life Coach, and Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor. More info: Grace Testani