Donation protected
Dear Friends, Students, and Colleagues of Michael Coonrod,
As you may or may not have heard, Dr. Coonrod had a freak accident on May 24th while hosting his students at his home, which resulted in the loss of the fourth finger on his right hand.
In meditating and praying about what could possibly be done to mitigate the severe trauma this unfortunate event has undoubtedly caused, I came up with an idea:
Commission a new composition for piano, left hand, by a composer of Michael’s choice, funded by donations from the many people all over the world who know and love him.
While it’s not certain exactly how much this commission will cost, the goal is to raise $10,000, in order to give Michael the freedom to select the composer, type (solo, chamber, concerto, or otherwise), and length of work. Every composer’s rates are different, but the cost of a commission typically runs $500-$1000 per minute of music, depending on instrumentation. While any amount can be used, the more we raise, the longer the piece and the more instrumentation possibilities there can be. (400 people times $25 will get us to this goal, just to have an idea.)
As it happens, Tuesday, June 9, is Michael’s 65th birthday! A birthday party is planned at his home that evening--everyone's invited--and I’d like to present whatever funds have been raised by that time there. Wouldn’t this composition project be an amazing way to celebrate Michael’s legacy as an artist and teacher? Since it’s coming up so soon, it would be wonderful to receive as many donations as possible before then, so that we can present the project-in-progress to him at the gathering. The fundraiser will continue after that, though, so you’ll still be able to contribute after June 9th.
I’d like this to be a surprise, if possible, until his birthday party!
If you have ever been the beneficiary of Michael’s boundless generosity of spirit, time, artistry, hospitality, love, or compassion, as I have been, this is a great opportunity to give something back. Not only will this new composition be a gift to Michael, but it will also help support a composer’s career, producing a work that will increase the canon of left-hand piano repertoire, and which can be played by pianists for years to come.
Please consider donating as much as your pocketbook will allow—we want him to be able to commission a truly special piece. I’m sure that after it’s been written, learned, performed, and recorded, Michael would be thrilled to send you a recording of it. I will certainly apprise you of any dates when it will be performed, so you can attend the performance if you are in the area.
Note: If you would like to make a contribution but would rather not do so online through this website, you can also donate the old-fashioned way: simply send a check made out to Michael Coonrod, with the annotation “Commission,” to my home, addressed to Susan Day, 1616 Melody Lane, Interlochen, MI 49643, and I will pass the check along to Michael’s wife Jean. You may also call in ahead of the check with a pledge if you wish, so that we know to expect it and include it in the funding we present at Michael's birthday party. GoFundMe does take a fee of approximately 8-10% from each donation, so a check, though a little more trouble to send, will take us a little closer to our goal than an online donation of the same amount.
Feel free to contact me with any questions:
Land phone#: [phone redacted]. E-mail: [email redacted].
Thank you in advance!
Warm Regards,
Susan Day
As you may or may not have heard, Dr. Coonrod had a freak accident on May 24th while hosting his students at his home, which resulted in the loss of the fourth finger on his right hand.
In meditating and praying about what could possibly be done to mitigate the severe trauma this unfortunate event has undoubtedly caused, I came up with an idea:
Commission a new composition for piano, left hand, by a composer of Michael’s choice, funded by donations from the many people all over the world who know and love him.
While it’s not certain exactly how much this commission will cost, the goal is to raise $10,000, in order to give Michael the freedom to select the composer, type (solo, chamber, concerto, or otherwise), and length of work. Every composer’s rates are different, but the cost of a commission typically runs $500-$1000 per minute of music, depending on instrumentation. While any amount can be used, the more we raise, the longer the piece and the more instrumentation possibilities there can be. (400 people times $25 will get us to this goal, just to have an idea.)
As it happens, Tuesday, June 9, is Michael’s 65th birthday! A birthday party is planned at his home that evening--everyone's invited--and I’d like to present whatever funds have been raised by that time there. Wouldn’t this composition project be an amazing way to celebrate Michael’s legacy as an artist and teacher? Since it’s coming up so soon, it would be wonderful to receive as many donations as possible before then, so that we can present the project-in-progress to him at the gathering. The fundraiser will continue after that, though, so you’ll still be able to contribute after June 9th.
I’d like this to be a surprise, if possible, until his birthday party!
If you have ever been the beneficiary of Michael’s boundless generosity of spirit, time, artistry, hospitality, love, or compassion, as I have been, this is a great opportunity to give something back. Not only will this new composition be a gift to Michael, but it will also help support a composer’s career, producing a work that will increase the canon of left-hand piano repertoire, and which can be played by pianists for years to come.
Please consider donating as much as your pocketbook will allow—we want him to be able to commission a truly special piece. I’m sure that after it’s been written, learned, performed, and recorded, Michael would be thrilled to send you a recording of it. I will certainly apprise you of any dates when it will be performed, so you can attend the performance if you are in the area.
Note: If you would like to make a contribution but would rather not do so online through this website, you can also donate the old-fashioned way: simply send a check made out to Michael Coonrod, with the annotation “Commission,” to my home, addressed to Susan Day, 1616 Melody Lane, Interlochen, MI 49643, and I will pass the check along to Michael’s wife Jean. You may also call in ahead of the check with a pledge if you wish, so that we know to expect it and include it in the funding we present at Michael's birthday party. GoFundMe does take a fee of approximately 8-10% from each donation, so a check, though a little more trouble to send, will take us a little closer to our goal than an online donation of the same amount.
Feel free to contact me with any questions:
Land phone#: [phone redacted]. E-mail: [email redacted].
Thank you in advance!
Warm Regards,
Susan Day
Organizer and beneficiary
Susan Day
Organizer
Interlochen, MI
Michael Coonrod
Beneficiary