Long Beach Symphony, renowned for its 90 years of providing exceptional Classical, Pops, Youth, and Family concerts, proudly announces that Linda L. Gunn, philanthropist and business owner of Gunn Jerkens, a full-service marketing communications agency in Long Beach, will fund the annual Youth Concerts through the 2027 season.
This generous support, made possible by the Linda L. Gunn Music Education Fund, ensures the continuation of a beloved tradition that has been bringing music to young students for over four decades, the symphony announced in a press release.
The Long Beach Symphony Youth Concerts, which have been a staple in the community for more than 40 years, provide an invaluable opportunity for approximately 12,000 fourth- and fifth-grade students from the Long Beach Unified School District to experience live orchestral performances at the Long Beach Terrace Theater each year. Long Beach Symphony musicians are joined on stage by the 100-member All-District High School Honor Orchestra or Choir who gain unsurpassed training and professional peer coaching.
Since its inception, the Youth Concerts program has reached nearly 1 million children for which the Symphony has been actively seeking funding since 2022 to sustain this vital initiative.
Cindy Costello, Chairman of the Long Beach Symphony Board of Directors, expressed her gratitude: “The Symphony is extremely grateful to Linda Gunn for her shared vision and commitment to music education. Her generous 3-year gift ensures that the Symphony will continue providing this important music program for our schools and our community.”
Linda Gunn shared her enthusiasm for the program: “As a passionate supporter of our city’s educational and music institutions, I felt compelled to step up when I learned about this vital program’s funding dilemma. I wanted to support bringing young children to hear a world-class orchestra, which also invites high school music students from across the city to perform side-by-side with some of the finest musicians in Southern California.”
“As a pillar of our music education department and a key recruitment initiative for Long Beach Unified School District’s robust music program, Linda Gunn is our collective hero. Because of her generosity, 36,000 Long Beach children will continue to be inspired and educated over the next three years.” stated Kelly Ruggirello, President of Long Beach Symphony.
Long Beach Symphony looks forward to continuing its impactful work in the community, thanks to the remarkable generosity of Linda L. Gunn. The Youth Concerts will thrive as a cornerstone of the Symphony’s mission to foster a love of music and provide enriching experiences for young audiences.