Feed the Bear
Fundraising Campaign

"Do you believe in rock 'n' roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?"
Don McLean, "Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie"

Dear Friend of The Bear:

At Blue Bear School of Music, we really do believe in rock 'n' roll and, yes, we're just crazy enough to believe that music can "save your mortal soul" – this is because we witness the power of music education and performance every day. It is amazing, potentially soul-saving stuff.

This year, more than 7,500 individuals of all ages and from all walks of life benefited from our affordable, high quality, music education programs: that includes 800 children and youth in San Francisco public schools and community centers who are developing skills and a lifelong love of music through our STAR and Studio 101 programs; more than 400 youth in Blue Bear lessons and Summer Camps; 400 pre-school aged children getting their first exposure to music through our Little Bears program; 1,600 adult amateurs, many of whom are taking up an instrument for the first time in their lives; and 4,500 audience members who rocked out at our live shows.

These numbers represent a tremendous impact on our community, and we have you – and hundreds of people like you – to thank for it. You are an extremely important part of what Blue Bear does, because of your ongoing generosity and support.

And let's be clear: we absolutely can't do it without you!

To say that this economic climate is challenging is like saying the Beatles were a pretty good band. Blue Bear, like almost every non-profit arts organization in the U.S., has been deeply affected by the economic downturn, and we are facing some serious challenges in the coming year. For example, we recently learned that our rent at Fort Mason is going to go up significantly – this, at a time when foundation and corporate giving is down and earnings from tuition are in decline as our students are forced to tighten their belts in response to job losses, pay cuts, and other economic realities. But we remain unwaveringly committed to our mission and to serving our community at a time when music and the arts are needed the most.

Over the past year we significantly expanded our children and youth programming throughout the community, and we've recently initiated an exciting new Master Artist Series. We are still in the game, for sure… but we are turning to you – our friends and supporters – for help with our bottom line. There has never been a time when your support was more critically needed by Blue Bear. With it, we will be able to continue to provide excellent, affordable music education programs for people of all ages and all skill levels, as we have continuously for 38 years.

Face it, there simply isn't anyone else providing Blue Bear's breadth of programming in our community. For many of our students, Blue Bear represents the sole source of their musical training. For others, Blue Bear is the spark that launched their new band. For everyone who comes through our doors, Blue Bear is a gateway to an authentic community of musicians and music-lovers.

Here's what just a few people say about their Blue Bear experience:

"I take my eight month old to Baby Bear music classes and they've been so much fun. They teach traditional music and the history behind it while giving kids an introduction to music, instruments and other kids. The teachers are fun and obviously love kids." - Susan O.

"What I love about Rock Class is that I get to play different instruments. Also, we get to learn and choose awesome songs that we get to perform. I think Blue Bear is the best!" - Luis D., James Lick STAR Program student.

"The school has revitalized my love for music, just because now I can actually play it." - Chris S.

While these students may range in age, gender, occupation, ethnicity, and income, they all have one thing in common: Blue Bear School of Music has had a positive impact on their lives.

As with most nonprofit arts organizations, tuition and other earnings only cover a portion of our costs. To balance our budget, we depend on the generosity of individual donors – like you – who value what we do and who want to make sure that the music education programs at Blue Bear School of Music are sustained from year to year.

The importance of your support this year cannot be overstated. The 2008 "Feed the Bear" campaign helped us expand our programs for youth in the community and enabled us to maintain the high caliber of all of our programs. In 2009, your tax-deductible gift of $50, $100, $250 – or whatever you can afford – to the "Feed the Bear" Campaign will enable Blue Bear to continue its long tradition of providing affordable high quality music education for all.

With your help, Blue Bear will continue to make a difference to children, youth, and adult rockers in the San Francisco Bay Area. From all of us at Blue Bear School of Music who absolutely believe in rock 'n' roll, thank you, thank you, in advance, for Feeding the Bear! You rock!

Sincerely yours,

P.S. We are also pleased to announce that Blue Bear is now able to accept property donations such as cars, boats, RVs and other vehicles as another means to contribute. Please click here if you would like to participate in our new property donation program.

P.P.S. Please feel free to forward this link, bluebearmusic.org/feedthebear, to family, friends and colleagues and encourage them to Feed the Bear too!