Madison Symphony Orchestra’s “A Madison Symphony Christmas” concerts each December are always a fun and festive occasion marked by several traditions. These include the MSO Chorus singing carols in the lobby before the concert, Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” concluding the first half of the concert, costumed characters greeting patrons in the lobby at intermission, and audience members donning Santa hats for the final sing-along. The tastiest tradition, however, is the enter-to-win drawing for a Swiss Colony Gift Tower, courtesy of Colony Brands, Inc., on display throughout the concert weekend at the MSO Courtesy Table. Patrons may fill out a slip with their name, address and phone number for a chance to be one of six lucky winners, chosen at random after the concert weekend. The prize towers are filled with candies, petits fours, Swiss creme-coated grahams and tortes, summer sausages, cheese bars, cheese links and sweet hot mustard. Delectable delights, indeed! Our friends at Colony Brands also send treats to the Symphony’s administrative office in early December, and it is no secret that the various toffees, caramels and petit fours provide our staff members with an afternoon sugar boost that helps keep us going until 5:00 each day—especially when it’s already dark outside!
Treats aside, Colony Brands’ most valuable commitment to the Symphony is their annual sponsorship of our Christmas concerts since the mid-2000’s. When we informed Colony Brands that these beloved concerts were canceled this year, they chose to stand by their support of the Symphony and have reassigned their $5,000 sponsorship to the May 2021 Missa solemnis concert instead. In addition to their concert sponsorship, the company will contribute $2,000 to underwrite tickets that the Symphony will distribute to audience members who traditionally face barriers to experiencing classical music as part of our “All Ears at the Symphony” community ticketing program. This will be Colony Brands’ second year as an “All Ears” program sponsor, and we are very grateful for their support!
About Colony Brands, Inc.
Colony Brands together with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, are a successful, multifaceted enterprise consisting of numerous multichannel retail brands, several operational support companies and a portfolio of affiliate businesses. Headquartered in Monroe, Wisconsin, they deliver an array of products and services to their customers and clients. With over 90 years in business, Colony Brands, which started as The Swiss Colony, has become knowledgeable and proficient in what they do. Operational support subsidiaries and affiliate businesses provide marketing, consumer credit, collections, product sourcing, information technology, wholesale food and charter aviation. Together these provide business solutions and drive success for the entire enterprise and empower outside clients to reach their business goals. Through catalog and internet shopping, Colony Brands’ subsidiaries’ retail customers are empowered to purchase from an exciting selection of products including apparel, shoes, home décor and furnishings, outdoor, health and beauty, electronics, toys, food and gifts using their convenient credit options.
Each year, Colony Brands, Inc., its affiliates, the Colony Brands Foundation and the R. Kubly Family Foundation partner with over 350 different organizations to help build communities through monetary donations and growth challenges. “We are proud to fly our banner alongside these many worthy causes—from the arts to education, youth activities, and community needs,” says John Baumann, President of the Colony Brands Foundation. Visit colonybrands.com/community to learn more.
We thank our friends at Colony Brands, Inc. for flying their banner alongside the Symphony! Visit madisonsymphony.org/corporate to learn more about Madison Symphony Orchestra’s corporate giving opportunities for the 2020-2021 Season and beyond.