Ann Lindsey and Charles (Chuck) Snowdon are generous annual contributors to the Symphony. Their support has included several concert sponsorships, and this year they are major sponsors of our October concerts featuring Olga Kern.
Chuck, a professor emeritus of biological psychology, and Ann, retired from a career in management and technical training and organizational dynamics, have each had a longtime appreciation for classical music. They started attending MSO concerts together in 1991. “Early in my life in Madison, I drove to Chicago to hear the Chicago Symphony on a regular basis,” says Chuck. “After John DeMain was hired to lead the Madison Symphony, I realized I could hear great music right here at home.”
Over the years, Ann and Chuck have become increasingly involved with—and increasingly supportive of—local and community-based arts organizations. “We value having high-quality arts and cultural organizations in our community and we really enjoy our personal involvement as volunteers and contributors,” says Ann. “When I became involved with the Madison Symphony Orchestra League in 2004 (serving as League President from 2007-2009), Chuck and I got to know some wonderful new people with diverse and interesting professional backgrounds. Our lives were enriched as we found a broader community outside of our own careers.”
Ann has served on the MSO Board since 2007. Both Ann and Chuck are Advisors on the MSOL Board and members of the MSOL Connect and Parties of Note committees. Annually, they help sponsor the Symphony Gala and attend the summer Concert on the Green at Bishops Bay. They have often made tribute gifts to honor life events of their Symphony friends and they are members of the MSO’s Stradivarius Society (legacy giving). This year, they are happy to be sponsoring Olga Kern’s October performances.
“We have been concert sponsors for each of Olga Kern’s appearances here and are pleased to sponsor her again this season,” says Chuck. “We appreciate her immense artistic ability and enjoy her personal warmth and style. And we are interested in supporting female artists. At her most recent Madison appearance, we introduced her to two young musician friends. She was very encouraging of them in pursuing careers in music. Today, both are in college and majoring in music performance. We were impressed that Ms. Kern was so willing to provide encouragement to young performers. We’re excited that she will be returning to play with the Madison Symphony in 2021 after her scheduled performance in 2020 was canceled!”
In addition to their significant support of the Symphony, Chuck and Ann are also enthusiastic supporters of Madison Opera, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras and American Players Theatre, among others. Their other interests include Scottish dance, international travel and expanding their horizons through book discussion groups. They reside in the Parkwood Hills neighborhood on the west side of Madison. Thank you, Ann and Chuck, for your dedication to the Symphony!