C. Ten Grands Seattle: Giving the Gift of Music to Children: This one-night-only “concert for a cause” is of, by and for the community. Ten talented pianists come together to play solos and in various combinations on 10 grand pianos on a multi-tiered stage at Benaroya Hall. Now in its 10th year, this family-friendly musical variety show also showcases young musicians. All proceeds benefit music education programs and activities throughout Washington state, in keeping with the shared goal of the founder/artistic director, producers, and artists to “share the joy, the healing, the learning and the life-changing gifts music has to offer.” More than $1 million have been raised during the past decade. Target recipients include members of at-risk and low-income communities. The giving continues the morning after the concert when nearly 1,500 long-stemmed roses—a signature part of the dramatically-lit stage—are gifted to the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park. Volunteers from ROTC place them on individual headstones as a tribute to our fallen heroes.
Promoting Ten Grands takes a village! The modest promotion budget includes:
- Media relations: A series of news releases (e.g., tickets on sales, the artists, the young musicians, beneficiaries), distributed to various outlets, plus custom “pitches” to selected editors, reporters, music critics promoting various feature angles.
- “Save the Date” postcards (available in literature racks at Benaroya Hall, used as handouts and “leave-behinds” at various events, mailed).
- Vitrine (jumbo poster on wall of Benaroya Hall, Third & Union Streets)
- Ad(s) in Encore (Seattle Symphony program) – on space available basis
- Pop-up banner (used at events)
- Web/online ads (SSO schedules)
- Radio spots (part trade), KING FM
- Social media (Ten Grands Seattle Facebook page, website, Twitter)
- Community relations: Word of mouth via committee, sponsors, supporters, Facebook followers, beneficiaries, etc.
- Speaking engagements/guest appearances (one or more performing artist may join co-founders/executives/volunteers in making presentations to Rotary Clubs, at retirement communities, at special events).
