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The Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) has received a $1 million gift from Kiki and David Gindler in support of the Chorale’s visionary artistic leadership, it was announced by LAMC President and CEO Terry Knowles. This gift establishes the Chorale’s “Music Director’s Circle,” creating an opportunity for donors of $50,000 or more who share a passion for the transformative and unparalleled musical experiences of the Los Angeles Master Chorale under the bold artistic vision of Music Director Grant Gershon. These individuals will play a key role in the realization of this vision at a crucial time in the organization’s history. The Chorale is recognizing the Gindlers’ generous gift by naming the music directorship: The Kiki & David Gindler Music Director.
“We are deeply grateful to the Gindlers for their inspiring generosity,” says Knowles. “During the relatively short time they’ve been involved with the Chorale, they have expressed in many ways their passion for this music, but this gift, along with David’s key leadership role as Chairman of our Board of Directors, signals a new era for the organization. Their extraordinary support provides a critical foundation for the ‘Music Director’s Circle’ and encourages other donors to give in ways that help the Chorale reach significant artistic goals. As we look toward our 50th Anniversary Season in 2013|14 and beyond, it’s gratifying to know that our generous supporters recognize the resources needed to sustain and grow our incredible Master Chorale.”
While they had some familiarity with the Master Chorale from performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, it was not until 2005 that the Gindlers attended one of the Master Chorale’s own subscription concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall based on a postcard they received in the mail. “It was Tan Dun’s Water Passion After Saint Matthew, and we were instantly hooked,” note the Gindlers, who immediately became subscribers. “The artistic excellence of Grant and the singers was obvious from the first note. As we enjoyed more performances, we were also struck by the diversity in Grant’s programming and wanted to look for ways in which we might give back to this amazing organization.” Ardent arts supporters, the Hancock Park residents are both Los Angeles natives who met while attending Pomona College in Claremont, California.
“We were inspired to make this gift because of our commitment to Grant and the singers, and also because we want to encourage others to stretch and increase their giving to the Chorale,” explain the Gindlers. “The Los Angeles Master Chorale is a world class ensemble – you won’t find anything like it anywhere else – and it deserves every opportunity to continue to grow and flourish, so that it can serve the community with its rich programming and vital education programs. The Chorale’s music is appreciated well beyond Los Angeles, too, through its recordings and tours, which makes us very proud. To be able to link our gift in such a direct way to Grant, whose artistry and vision we so admire and support, is really a gift back to us. We also understand that the Chorale simply can’t do what it does without the financial support of donors. Every gift, regardless of the amount, is vital and does make a difference.”
“It is an honor and a real privilege to serve as the Chorale’s first Kiki & David Gindler Music Director,” states Gershon. “I greatly value the Gindlers’ friendship as well as their devotion to the Chorale. Their belief in our artistic mission, which is at the heart of their gift, is deeply gratifying to all of us.”
David holds a J.D. from UCLA School of Law and is a senior partner at the law firm of Irell & Manella LLP, specializing in complex commercial litigation with an emphasis on patent, trade secret and related intellectual property disputes. He has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2012, LMG’s Life Sciences 2012 as a “Life Sciences Star,” Southern California "Super Lawyers" by Los Angeles Lawyer magazine for ten consecutive years (every year the list has been published), and Southern California’s Top-Rated Lawyers. In addition, the Los Angeles Daily Journal and San Francisco Daily Journal have named David one of California's leading patent litigators. He joined the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s Board of Directors in 2008. In addition, he is a member of the Boards of Directors of The Music Center and of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Antaeus Company, a non-profit actors’ ensemble specializing in classic theatre.
Kiki, also an attorney, formerly practiced corporate and entertainment law before devoting herself full time to writing, civic affairs and support of the performing arts. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Refugee Commission, Center Theatre Group, and the Board of Governors of the Ojai Music Festival. She is a past trustee of the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts and has served the City of Los Angeles as a member of multiple historic preservation and community outreach boards. After receiving a J.D. from Harvard Law School, Kiki practiced corporate law with Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, where she specialized in acquisitions, joint ventures, finance and intellectual property, and has held legal and business affairs executive positions at Columbia Pictures and Rysher Entertainment. In recognition of her work to help establish low income housing for women and children, Kiki received the State Bar of California Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Services Award.
Giving a voice to Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy-nominated Los Angeles Master Chorale is led by Music Director Grant Gershon. The New York Times calls the choir “inspired,” and The New York Observer declares it “a superb vocal ensemble.” The Chorale is currently in its 49th season as a resident company of The Music Center of Los Angeles County and its 10th as the resident chorus at Disney Hall. Presenting its own concert series each season, it performs choral music from the earliest writings to the most recent contemporary compositions. To date, the choir has commissioned 35 and premiered 81 new works, of which 54 were world premieres, and has been awarded three ASCAP/Chorus America Awards for Adventurous Programming as well as Chorus America’s prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence. The Chorale has performed in more than 300 concerts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at both Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl and has also appeared at the Ojai Music Festival, the Great Performers series at Lincoln Center, and the Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as in leading venues throughout the Southland. Its discography includes five CDs under Gershon’s baton. The latest, released in September on Decca, features three works by Polish composer Henryk Górecki. LAMC previously released three CDs under Music Director Emeritus Paul Salamunovich on RCM, including the Grammy-nominated Lauridsen-Lux Aeterna. The Chorale is also featured with Gershon on the soundtracks of such major motion pictures as Lady in the Water and License to Wed. Serving more than 30,000 audience members of all ages annually, the Los Angeles Master Chorale also provides education outreach to some 6,000 students each year.