From: Christi-Anne Castro [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2015 12:29 PM
To: PACE-MI via Ignacio, Rose
Subject: Re: PACE-MI Cutural Program: Ugnayan Ng Ating Kultura:


Dear PACE-MI,
     What a delight it has been to work with you and the young people in the community to further Philippine and Filipino American arts and culture! It is through dedication, patience, and a passion for the arts that this kind of initiative can come to fruition. I have been impressed with the good cheer and interest of community members, including those with no musical experience whatsoever, and have enjoyed watching and hearing the ensemble learn new pieces and grow as musicians. 
    This multi-generational group includes seniors picking up instruments for the first time after a hiatus of decades, high school students with musical backgrounds in classical and popular music, and adults and youths who have always wanted to play an instrument or who have been looking for a group with whom to play their instruments. The spirit of inclusivity is the heart of what makes a community strong, and the pride of heritage fuels the efforts and sacrifices people have made to bring together this inaugural PACE-MI production.
Congratulations to the organizers, members, students, and parents of PACE-MI! 

Christi-Anne Castro
Director, Center for Southeast Asian Studies
Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Christi-Anne Castro is director of the University of Michigan Center for Southeast Asian Studies and an associate professor in the Musicology Department of the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance. She holds a doctoral degree in ethnomusicology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her book, Musical Renderings of the Philippine Nation (Oxford Press 2011) is a cultural history of music, politics, and nationalism in the Philippines during the 20th century. This work won the 2012 Global Filipino Literary Award, assigning it special cataloguing status in the Library of Congress Southeast Asian Collection housed in the Asian Reading Room. At U-M, she teaches courses introducing various types of world music, music and the body, music and gender, and ethnography. She is also the long-standing musical director of the Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla of Boston and has been playing, arranging, and composing rondalla music for the ensemble since its founding.

Solicitation For Donation – First Annual Philippine Concert on 6/20/2015, and For The Continuation of PACE-MI Learning Programs

This open letter is both an invitation to join us on our first Annual PACE-MI Concert, and an appeal for your generous sponsorship to support the learning programs of the Philippine Arts and Culture Ensemble of Michigan (PACE-MI).   Your contributions will fund our first annual Philippine concert on 6/20/2015 and the continuation of future educational programs.

What is the Philippine Arts and Culture Ensemble of Michigan (PACE-MI)? 

PACE-MI is a tax-exempt/nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Ann Arbor. Our mission is to provide community-based educational programs and resources on Philippine arts and culture by promoting Filipino heritage through teaching and learning of the Philippine Rondalla, Kulintang, and the traditional Folk Dances. Our vision is to have a sustainable organization where the younger generation teaches forward what they have learned. Our main learning outcomes include (1) special concerts,   (2) student recitals, and (3) community workshops. This year, so far, we have done over 200 hours of group lessons and practice involving an ensemble of over 30 instruments, 15 performers, and the participation of 20 families. The success and sustainability of our programs depend very much on your generosity and endorsement of our vision.

The 6/20/2015  PACE-MI Concert is our first annual concert.  It is titled ‘Ugnayan Ng Ating Kultura’ (Linkages of Our Culture), A Celebration of Philippine Traditional Music, Songs and Dances’.  It will be held at  St. Francis Catholic Church Parish Activity Center, 2250 East Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104,  on 20 June 2015, 6:30-8pm. Please save this date!

For the 6/20/2015 PACE-MI Concert, you may choose to (1) give a tax-deductible donation, and/or  (2) purchase advertising space in the event souvenir. Since PACE-MI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your individual contribution is tax-deductible. 
     For tax-deductible donations, you can choose a level of contribution as follows: 
·   Conductor’s Circle  ($1000+)
·   Principal Players  ($500+)
·   Arts Associate ($100+)
·   Music Lovers ($200+)
·   Friends of PACE ($20+)
·   In Kind
·   Venue Sponsor  ($600)
·   Program Sponsor ($300)

To purchase space for advertising or a message in the souvenir program, following are the rates. Examples of special messages can be variations of 'Congratulations To PACE-MI';   'In Memory' of [loved ones]';  'Best Wishes to PACE-MI from the UPAM Family/group'.  Here are the rates.
·   Fullpage (7.5”x4.5”) $100
·   BusinessCard (1.5x3“) $20
·   Outside Backcover $200
·   Halfpage (3.5”x4.5”)  $50
·   Inside Back Cover-  $150

Please decide soon and make your payments to Philippine Arts and Culture of Michigan or PACE-MI and mail the check to PACE-MI, PO Box 131322, Ann Arbor, MI 48113, or to our office, PACE-MI, 2232 Placid Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.  Call the PACE-MI Treasurer (734-395-2195) or the PACE-MI Secretary (734-972-8875) to make a reservation or to arrange donation pickup within Washtenaw County. Your name will be listed in our event program if they arrive by June 5, 2015.  After this date, your name will be listed in the next  programs.

In behalf of PACE-MI Executive Board, thank you for your generosity.
Fundraising Committee:
  Elizabeth Weil, PACE-MI Treasurer, tel 734-395-2195, [email protected]
  Joet Reoma,  PACE-MI Secretary,  tel 734-972-8875,  [email protected]

Link to past PACE-MI performances:   in YouTube,  in FaceBook,  in Google+