Practice-a-Thon
October 19 – November 24, 2025
Very much like a Walk-a-Thon, but instead of walking, young musicians practice their instrument, participate in rehearsals and music class, study music theory, play music with friends, and perform!
About Practice-a-Thon
The goals of the Practice-a-Thon are threefold:
To encourage our young musicians to develop good practice habits, while preparing for their concerts with us and with other groups.
To help financially support our program by raising at least our budgeted goal of $8,000. Raising these much needed funds will help keep our youth orchestra tuition low while keeping our music education programs strong.
To increase awareness of our programs by having our young musicians and their families reach out through your networks to spread the word about the important work we are doing.
We aim for 100% participation from all ensemble and orchestra members. Since no outside products or services are involved, 100% of the amount raised goes directly to our youth ensembles. You can support our programs and earn prizes by doing what you do anyway—practicing!
That’s why we track these statistics about the Practice-a-Thon:
- Practice Time
- Money Raised
You can help us achieve our outreach goals by suggesting to your young musician possible sponsors who may not already know about our programs and who might be willing to support your young musician’s involvement. An email request can be a very effective and easy way to generate interest.
While we are always grateful for parent donations, this fundraiser is designed to seek donations from, and contact with, the broader community.
Sponsors
Support our young musicians! Each youth ensemble member is called upon to engage sponsors to fundraise for our programs.
Ways you can support
Donate Online
Include the name of the young musician you are supporting in the field, “how would you like your name recognized in the program”.
DONATE ONLINE HERE >
Donate by Check
Checks should be made payable to Santa Rosa Symphony.
Designate the young musician’s name in the memo line.
The check may be given to the ensemble manager at rehearsal by the young musician, OR mailed it to:
Santa Rosa Symphony ATTN: Laura Leipzig
50 Santa Rosa Ave, Ste. 410
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Employer Matched Donations
Some employers (such as Keysight Technologies) offer a company match of charitable gifts program. This is a great way to double your gift!
A few extra steps may be required to ensure the donor and the musician get credit.
It is important to include the donor’s name and the young musician’s name when you apply for your employer match donation (these donations tend to arrive as a check from a third-party company not the donor).
In addition, please send an email to Laura Leipzig lleipzig@srsymphony.org with
-
- Your name (the donor)
- The company at which you are employed
- The name of the young musician you are sponsoring
- How much you are donating/what the match will be
NOTE: your young musician’s name must be designated when the donation is made in order to credit the young musician.
If you would like to sponsor a member and don’t know one personally, please call Wendy Cilman at 707-546-7097 ext. 220.
Donations will be accepted From Saturday, October 19 through Monday, December 2.
Young Musicians
We aim for 100% participation from all ensemble and orchestra members. Since no outside products or services are involved, 100% of the amount raised goes directly to our youth ensembles. You can support our programs and earn prizes by doing what you do anyway—practicing!
PART 1: Log your practice time
Starting on October 19, Keep track of how much time you spend making music, then show up to rehearsal and write your weekly total on the Ensemble Log Board each week.
Use a paper practice log or a notes file on your device to track your weekly totals.
What counts as Practice Time?
- Practice time spent on your SRSYE instrument, whether at home, at school, or anywhere
- Practice on any other instrument that you play (singing counts!)
- Time spent studying music theory or scores
- Time spent in rehearsals, sectionals and lessons
- Time spent in informal practice groups – you are encouraged to get together with friends and ensemble-mates, either physically or virtually, to work on music together!
- Time spent performing – whether formal or otherwise!
Each week, bring your total practice time number and report it on the Ensemble board at rehearsal.
PART 2: Find Sponsors
Friends and family love hearing about your passion for playing music, and the Practice-a-Thon is a great opportunity for them to support our Education Programs.
You can use the letter template as is, modify it, or create your own!
Make it personal: Supporters are more likely to donate when they see how much playing music means to you!
Include a photo of you with your instrument or a short video of you playing a few measures of your favorite piece. You can reach out to anybody who might support you – parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, cousins, neighbors, friends, your parents’ co-workers, and anyone else you can think of to support your efforts and our programs!
- Sponsors can pledge a fixed dollar amount, OR
- Sponsors can pledge a certain dollar amount for every hour you practice between Oct 19-Nov 24.*
Sponsors can donate online or by check:
- Online: visit https://www.srsymphony.org/ and click “Donate here” at the top of the page. Make sure to designate the young musician’s name in the “How would you like your name recognized in the program?” field.
- Check: made payable to Santa Rosa Symphony. Make sure to designate the young musician’s name in the memo line.
NOTE: your name (the young musician) must be designated when the donation is made in order to get sponsor credit.
*You (the young musician) are responsible for tracking your hours and reporting your total hours to your sponsors after Nov 24.
Donations will be accepted From Saturday, October 19 through Monday, December 2.
Late contributions may not be counted towards student totals.
PART 3: Win Prizes!
- The ENSEMBLE that logs the most hours per member wins a Pizza Party!
- Individuals with the most hours or most funds raised will each receive a prize.