Annual Fund
Just like a beautifully composed symphony, the annual fund is meticulously crafted to ensure that every note resonates with impact.

SUPPORTING THE ANNUAL FUND

It provides crucial financial support that enables the orchestra to fine-tune its performances, bring in world-class musicians, and engage in community programs. From the grand crescendos of the mainstage concerts to the subtle nuances of educational initiatives, the annual fund provides the necessary resources to keep the melody of the Canton Symphony Orchestra playing strong. Supporters of the annual fund are not mere spectators; they are active participants in the creation of a cultural masterpiece. Their contributions become the building blocks of a vibrant and flourishing musical landscape, fostering a sense of community and shared appreciation for the arts. At Canton Symphony Orchestra, we rely on our dedicated donors to help us create, sustain, and grow our programs. When you make a gift to our annual fund, you are providing unrestricted operating support for our programs and access to exceptional orchestral music and arts education in our community.

Ticket sales support only 1/5 of the total cost of our programming. The generosity of our donors keeps the music playing on stage.

The Symphony Society

Our individual donors who contribute to the CSO's annual fund receive benefits when their gift is $50 or more. All giving levels include the benefits listed in the level(s) before them.

Annual Fund Contributors

With deep appreciation, the Canton Symphony Orchestra wishes to thank the following individuals, families, and businesses for their commitment, generosity, and love of music. Their belief in the importance of the Canton Symphony Orchestra as a valued arts organization in Northeast Ohio will allow it to succeed well into the future.

Platinum Baton ($20,000+)

ArtsInStark
Employers Health
Larry & Nancy Hoover
David Jones
Bob Leibensperger
David Jones
Darwin L. Steele

The Ohio Arts Council
Visit Canton

Golden Baton ($10,000-$19,999+)

Gregory Industries
Ralph & Joan Leidy
William & Pearl Lemmon
Dr. Kenneth Shafer
Thrivent Financial
The Mary Renkert Wendling Foundation
The Gerhardt Zimmerman Memorial Fund

Maestro's Circle ($2,500-$9,999)

Anonymous
Arrants McSwain
The Roger E. & Janet B. Baker Charitable Fund
Jan & Roger Baker
Beese Fulmer Investments
Denny & Cherry Fulmer
Buckingham, Doolittle, & Burroughs LLC
Linda & Leo Casey
Fresh Mark
Friends of Stark Parks
Dennis & Cheryl Fulmer
 Brad & Sue Goris
Edmond & Donna Kort
Victor C. Laughlin, MD Memorial Foundation Trust
Sharon Luntz
E.A. Mahoney Family Foundation
Gail & Joe Martino
Roger F. Ream, DDS
The Fisher-Renkert Foundation
James & Patricia Ripple
The James S. & Patricia L. Ripple Charitable Fund
Mark Shingle
Dr. Charles Edward Smith
KeyBank Foundation
Rotary Clubs of Stark County
Sirak Financial Services
Walsh University

Virtuoso Circle ($1,000-$2,499)

The James V. & Velia Armogida Charitable Fund
The Dan M. & Julia B. Belden Charitable Fund
David Bishop
Patricia Deems
Downtown Canton Partnership, Inc.
Pat Gillespie
Jennifer & Patrick George
David Hartung
Chuck & Rosemarie Hoover
Alison Jacob
Joseph Jadick
Connie Keller Keplinger
Joe Knutson & Elizabeth Good Knutson
Jonathan Lalewicz
Fred & Nancy Linxweiler in honor of Aaron & Dawn Speakman
Harry Charles Curtis MacNealy
The W.A & Nancy H. Maddox Fund
John Nolan
The John B. Nolan Charitable Foundation
Phyllis Novy
Corey Paulus
Billy & Maurice Patterson
Daniel & Cynthia Porter
The Sangree Family Foundation
Nancy Savage
Robert C. Scharver
Kathy Smithberger
Chris & Linda Snyder
Loren & Beth Souers
The Symphony League of Canton
Sharon Zimmermann

Concerto Circle ($250-$999)

MJ & Pat Albacete
Emil Alecusan
The William H. & Jeanne G. Belden Philanthropic Fund
Keith & Barb Bennett
Dr. & Mrs. N. Kent Berg
Laura Bitonte
Richard & Susanne Campbell
John and Melanie Campbell
Beve Carver
Peter Pozefsky and Mary Cavender
Dr. Daniel and Dayna Charlick
Eric & Patricia Croskey
Donna & Ted Connolly
Britt and Heather Cooper
Kathleen M. & John R. Cowgill
Eric & Patricia Douce
Tom & Betsy Douce
George Downes Jr. 
Marcella and John Emmons
Joanne E. Fox
Diane & John Giua
Gerald and Regina Harter
Jarrod Hartzler
Robert W. Hecht
Kathleen Fernandez Hillibish
Evelyn R. Hewett
Mary R. Kocsis
Shirlee Krane
Michael & Judi Krew
Jo Kula
The Little Family Advised Fund
Cynthia & Steven Lucas
Sue Mali
Niel Marks
Katherine M. & Stephen J. McCarthy
Casey McCartney
Karen Miller
Marianne Miller
Mary Lou Milligan
Bernard & Sally Miner
Gerald & Linda Norton
Joe & Carol Orin
Billy & Maurica Patterson
Richard J. Pech
Thomas Preiss
Larry & Jean Richards
Timken Co. Charitable and Education Fund
Nancy A. Saulnier
Melissa Papadopulos Shiepis
Aaron & Dawn Speakman
Jay Spencer
Chad and Molly Sperling
Doug Stevens
Ted & Linda Swaldo
Ralph E. Toalston
Len & Barb Terlizzi
Charles and Karen Violand
Dr. Melinda Wagner & Mr. Seth Rosen
Eleanore & Eugene Wallace
Linda Warren
William L. Woodard
LaMar and Karon Wyse

Prelude Circle ($50-$249)

Anonymous
Mike Albright
Dana Alexander
Dr. Virginia D.N. Banks, M.D.
Scott  & Laura Berkeley
Margie Blake
Mimi Bogard
Loretta E.  Bower
Lake Cable Woman’s Club
Marlee Sabo & Stephen Colburn
Rebecca Cole
Carl Courtney
Ronald F. Davis
Kayla DeVitto
Thomas Esber
Patricia Fallot
Mark Fetzer
Peggy Fitzmaurice
Dr. Bryan & Kathryn Gerber
Carol Groh
In loving memory of Linda Gordon
Teresa Golden-McClelland
Kim Haddix in honor of Dawn Krauss & Aaron Speakman
Raymond L. Hansel
John & Valerie Heban
June Henderson in memory of Estelle Blau
Jesse O. Huddleston in honor of Aaron & Dawn Speakman
John McKinney
Christine L. McMasters
Kenneth Jacobs
Karen L. Jeske in honor of Aaron & Dawn Speakman’s Wedding 
Victoria J. Kappes
Sherry Kauffman
The Kranzdorf Family Foundation
In Honor of Dawn Krauss & Aaron Speakman’s Wedding 2025
Gloria A. Kuhl
Edward Leonard
Judith A. Libbey
Bruce & Maira Liliestedt
Kathyrn S. Logue
Karen Loy
Victoria Lutz
John McKinney
Christine L. McMasters
Patricia McMichael
Karen S. Miller
Ray Morgenstern
Darin & Ramona Nissley
Jocelyn Noce
Linda & Jerry Noron
Tom & Nancy Okonak
Nancy Patterson
Peggy “Meg”  Peretzky
Joanna Radov
Donna J. Riedhead
Daryl Robinson
Rosemary Rubin
Seaton Rokisky & Marulli Families in honor of Aaron & Dawn Speakman
Stacey and Steve Schermer
Rachel Schneider
Nancy C. Schoenbaum
Mark Shengle
Bryan J. Short
Marcia Short
Joann and Fred Smith
Jon & Mary Ann Snyder
Pearl Southwell
The James H. & Cynthia Strouse Camp Family Advised Fund
Therm-Equip, Inc.
Beth Toalston
Dr. John & Mrs. Sherry L. Trapani
Richard & Susan Williams
John A. Willoughby
Avis Thrash
Ronald R. Young
Janice Zopel

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