Southland Symphony Orchestra orchestra excitement!

We're presenting a very important piece - and to do it, we need many sponsors. The piece is Peter Boyer's "Ellis Island: The Dream of America". We will present this at our Season Opening October 11, 2026.

ELLIS ISLAND: THE DREAM OF AMERICA

A Special America250 Performance by the Southland Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, October 11, 2026 • 4:00 PM • Bethel Congregational Church, UCC, Ontario, CA

250 Years of America, Told Through the Eyes of Those Who Chose It

Between 1910 and 1940, more than sixteen million people arrived at Ellis Island, carrying little more than hope and the courage to start over. Composer Peter Boyer's Ellis Island: The Dream of America weaves real immigrant testimony with a live symphonic score to tell their stories — stories that became the story of America itself.

This year, as our nation marks its 250th anniversary, [Orchestra Name] is bringing this powerful multimedia work to Ontario, California — a community shaped, like the rest of the country, by generations of newcomers who built lives here. We need your help to make it happen.

OUR GOAL: $18,000

to fully fund performance rights, technical production, and the artists who will bring this story to life

Where Your Gift Goes

Use of Funds	Amount
Performance rights & materials rental	$1,500
Technical equipment (AV, multimedia screens, sound)	$1,100
Actors/Narrators, technical crew & guest musicians	$16,000
Marketing & printing	$600
Contingency	$1,920

Ways to Give as official Donors

$50 — Steerage Passage — Name listed in the concert program, VIP ticket (includes choice of seating, treat bag, wine tasting at intermission).

$100 — Registry Room — Name in program + social media recognition; VIP ticket (Choice of seating, treat bag, wine tasting at intermission).

$250 — New Arrival — Name in program + social media recognition; 2 VIP tickets (Choice of seating, treat bag, wine tasting at intermission)

$500 — Golden Door — Name in program + social media recognition; 4 VIP tickets (Choice of seating, treat bag, wine tasting at intermission); reception invite, listed as sponsor.

$1,000+ — Lady Liberty Circle — Name in program + social media recognition; Season recognition; logo on all materials; 4 VIP tickets (Choice of seating, treat bag, wine tasting at intermission); reception invite, listed as sponsor

You may also purchase our standard VIP or General admission tickets.

Every gift — of any size — helps us bring this uniquely American story to the stage this October. Thank you for believing in the power of music to carry history forward.

More info: We started with a modest goal of $2500, to finance the music rental, royalty fees, tech costs, etc.

The total production cost will be approximately $18,000, and includes compensation for actors and musicians, tech costs, as well as incidental costs for program printing, posters, flyers, postcards, and event listings.

We will keep you updated about the project - so check back often!

You can donate right here through GiveButter - or Our Zelle tag is southlandsymphony - those are the easiest ways to contribute to the project.

Here is a YouTube link to a short introduction to the piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAT-pCC4yEc

About us: The Southland Symphony presented its first concert in Ontario on Sunday, December 11, 2011. The orchestra’s founder and director, Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann, who had recently relocated to the area, saw a need and an opportunity to bring symphonic music to the larger Ontario Community, a community which was already embracing arts and culture. Since that first concert, we have presented over a hundred full-orchestra concerts for this community, as well as chamber music and educational concerts. We have presented internationally renowned musicians from all over the globe, performing music of the greatest composers in history, and music of great composers still living today.

Our Mission:

The Southland Symphony Orchestra and Chorus uses the power of music to lift the human spirit. We engage, uplift, and educate the diverse communities of Southern California's Greater Ontario and Inland Empire area by coming together to perform and inspire through exceptional musical experiences.

Our Vision:

Reaching out through the transformative power of live music, the Southland Symphony Orchestra will be a civic leader, reflecting and uniting our region.

" Our purpose is to enrich our community by engaging audiences and inspiring a love of music through exciting live symphony performances, innovative programming, and educational outreach." We offer opportunities for the community to experience the very best in music, “right in their own back-yards.” No long drives to downtown Los Angeles, no expensive parking. Arts and music for our community, in our community.

The Southland Symphony Orchestra is a true community orchestra, providing fantastic opportunities for qualified musicians to experience and perform live music at the highest level. We welcome musicians of all ages and from all walks of life: Students and senior citizens, professionals and amateurs: Hobbyist, professional, retired…. All are welcome. We are proud to welcome the many professional musicians who partner with us in our performances, and the many world-class guest artists who have graced our stage.

Musician Auditions: The Southland Symphony holds ongoing auditions for NEW musician members. Interested musicians should contact us immediately for an audition, by calling (909) 235-9776 or emailing: auditions@southlandsymphony.com

The SSO a non-profit organization, and needs your support to continue presenting these world-class quality concerts!

SSO "Ellis Island" Project

SSO Season of Stories - Opening Concert - "An American Story"

Team Leaderboard

Team Members