Los Angeles Master Chorale Announces A $1 Million Gift From Kiki & David Gindler

The Los Angeles Master Chorale today announced that it will receive a $1 million gift from philanthropists Kiki and David Gindler. The pledge was announced at the annual meeting of the Master Chorale's Board of Directors held today at The Music Center where the choir is a founding resident company. The meeting was Mr. Gindler's last in his role as Chair of the Board, a position he has held for two three-year terms, the maximum term allowed.

This is the second $1 million gift the Gindlers have made to the Master Chorale. The first gift, announced in 2012, established the Artistic Director's Circle, a group of dedicated supporters who donate $50,000 or more to the organization to support core institutional programming. This group currently has 17 members. In recognition of that gift, the Master Chorale re-named Grant Gershon's position the Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director, a title that will continue. In March the Gindlers were honored at the Los Angeles Master Chorale gala for their leadership.

"Kiki and David's love for the arts is evident to anyone who has been a part of an audience with them," says Jean Davidson, President & CEO. "Their leadership to our own organization, where David has chaired the board of directors for six years, has had a tangible impact on our programming and growth, as evidenced by our annual operating budget growing by 36% over the past five years. Their passion and commitment enrich the entire Los Angeles performing arts community and their board membership, advocacy, and generosity will have an indelible impact on future generations."

"It is an enormous honor to hold the title of Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director," says Grant Gershon. "The Gindlers have become true leaders in the performing arts in our nation through their thoughtful, passionate and generous support of key organizations and artists. David's guidance and expertise as our Board Chair has positively impacted every aspect of the Master Chorale. Together, Kiki and David's support has allowed us to dream big and realize our most impactful artistic endeavors, including our upcoming international tours of Lagrime di San Pietro, the commissioning and programming of many new works, and the building of a solid foundation for our core programming. I am so grateful to see their support and leadership continue with this exceptionally generous gift."

"On any given day, Kiki and I make many hard decisions. Our gift to the Master Chorale was not one of them," says David Gindler. "Since becoming subscribers in 2005, we've been astounded, year after year, not only by the artistry of our choristers, but by the vision of Grant Gershon to redefine how we experience the choral arts. Whether through the groundbreaking staging of a Renaissance masterpiece or the commissioning of bold new works from Los Angeles-based composers, Grant has put the Master Chorale at the forefront of this country's most adventurous arts organizations."

ABOUT KIKI & David Gindler

Kiki Ramos Gindler earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School and began her career at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, where she specialized in finance, intellectual property, leveraged buyouts, and mergers and acquisitions. She was also a legal and business affairs executive for the theatrical motion picture department of Columbia Pictures, and for Rysher Entertainment. Kiki serves as President of the Board of Center Theatre Group and on the Boards of the Los Angeles Opera and The Music Center. Kiki is also a member of the National Council for the American Theatre and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative Advisory Committee. She currently serves as a member of the National Council for the American Theatre, an affiliate of Theatre Communications Group. She also serves as a member of The Blue Ribbon, the premier women's support organization of The Music Center. Kiki devotes her time to writing, civic affairs, and supporting non-profit performing arts. She was born and raised in Los Angeles.

David Gindler is a senior partner at the law firm of Irell & Manella, where he specializes in intellectual property litigation and licensing. A native of Los Angeles, David is an ardent supporter of the performing arts. He serves as Chairman of the Boards of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Antaeus Theatre Company. David also serves on the Boards of The Music Center and Beth Morrison Projects, and previously served for five years as a member of the Board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In March 2017 Antaeus Theatre Company opened the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale. Kiki and David reside in Hancock Park.

PHILIP A. SWAN APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Philip A. Swan has been named Mr. Gindler's successor as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, his three-year term beginning today.

Mr. Swan first became a member of the Master Chorale's Board of Directors in 1998, serving a 10-year term. He rejoined the board in 2012. Particularly supportive of fostering new work, Mr. Swan currently underwrites the Artist-in Residence position held by composer/conductor Eric Whitacre.

Previously, the Swan Family underwrote a three-year composer-in-residence position for Shawn Kirchner, who premiered three new works with the Master Chorale from 2012-2015, including a major work for orchestra and choir titled Songs of Ascent that will be reprised alongside the Mozart Requiem to open the Chorale's 2018/19 season.

Mr. Swan is President of Phil Swan Five, LLC representing visual artists and assisting them with marketing and sales of their work. Previous positions included Director of Investor Relations for Griffis Residential (a private equity real estate company) and Senior Vice President at The Capital Group. In addition to his role with the Master Chorale, Mr. Swan is a trustee of Colorado College and the Della Martin Foundation; a director of the Ann Peppers Foundation, Cygnet Foundation, and National Audubon Society; and serves on the Board of Overseers of The Huntington.

"It is with great pleasure that we announce the election of Phil Swan to this important role with the Master Chorale," says Jean Davidson. "Given his long history with the organization as a member of the board of directors and his groundbreaking commitment to supporting composer and artist residencies, Phil brings valuable leadership and vision to this role that promises to continue David's legacy of making artistic excellence the cornerstone of everything we do."

"The Los Angeles Master Chorale is one of my true passions in life," says Mr. Swan. "I have relished being a subscriber, supporter, and board member for close to 30 years. It is now a true honor to serve as Board Chair. Thanks to effective and inspiring leadership from Grant Gershon, Jean Davidson, and David Gindler, the Master Chorale is in a great place and poised to continue on a very positive trajectory. I look forward to working with my fellow board members and our experienced professional staff to sustain and build on our many past successes."

The Los Angeles Master Chorale recently completed its 54th concert season. It is a founding resident company of The Music Center and choir-in-residence at Walt Disney Concert Hall where is presents its own concert season and regularly performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Master Chorale's 55th season will open on September 22 in Walt Disney Concert Hall.