Planned Giving News

Regularly updated, informative features about developments in planned giving and ways you can make a lasting gift to Curtis by including the school in your financial and estate plans.

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PLANNED GIVING NEWS AT Curtis: A Legacy of Music
May 2013

 

 Charitable Gift Annuity Rates Unchanged

On April 15, 2013, the American Council on Gift Annuities reconfirmed the suggested maximum rate schedule effective January 1, 2012.  The Council monitors the rates and reviews the assumptions underlying the rate schedules in light of changing economic, investment and actuarial environments. Curtis is a member of the Council and adheres to its maximum rate schedule.  From the perspective of our donors, the rate paid by Curtis on a gift annuity is critical. For example, the maximum rate for a single annuitant, age 70, is 5.1%, which means that he or she will receive $5,100 a year from Curtis for life. Curtis offers charitable gift annuitants to residents of most - but not all, states - provided the arrangements meet age and gift-size standards. You can obtain more information about the charitable gift annuities and a personalized  illustration of benefits from Charles Sterne III, director of principal gifts and planned giving.

Available this year - the IRA charitable rollover!

With the fiscal cliff looming, Congress finally did act, on a date one expert said was, "December 32, 2012." Among other things, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) enacted during the first week of January, 2013, brought back the IRA charitable rollover provisions, at least through the current tax year. Those with IRAs who are 70 1/2 years of age can transfer up to $100,000 to charity this year as "qualified charitable deductions." Direct transfers from your IRA to Curtis will also qualify for your minimum required distribution for the year. If you'd like more information, we'd be happy to send you a one-page summary with more detailed information.

Federal estate and gift tax changes

Those who were anxious that the estate and gift tax exemption would revert back to $1 million need no longer worry. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 set the unified estate and gift tax exemption at $5 million - which was indexed for inflation at $5.25 million for 2013. The "top tax rate" has been increased from 35% to 40%, thus the estate tax charitable deduction becomes an even more powerful incentive for those with large estates.  Even more significant, the estate and gift tax laws have become more "permanent," creating a clearer path for estate planning. 

Low interest rates and the charitable lead trust

In 2013, the $5,250,000 estate and gift tax exemption, combined with low interest rates, continues to present an attractive opportunity for high-wealth donors to save on transfers to their heirs with a charitable lead trust. The IRS discount rate is 1.4% for April, 2013, one of the lowest rates ever. If you'd like to learn more about charitable lead trusts and other trust arrangements that may help you achieve your estate and financial goals while providing much-needed funds to Curtis, please contact your professional advisors or the school's advancement office at (215) 717-3126. 

Is there a life income plan that's good for you?

You can make a significant gift to Curtis in exchange for which Curtis will send you regular income or annuity payments. Your gift will help the school build a stronger endowment for the future, while giving you a current tax deduction, capital gains tax advantage, and life income payments. Life income gifts also reduce the costs associated with estate administration. Your gift will ultimately be added to the school's endowment to help educate and train the next generation of Curtis students. To receive a personalized illustration and learn more about life income plans at Curtis, please contact charles.sterne@curtis.edu or call (215) 717-3126.

Alumni Remember Curtis with Bequests

Curtis is grateful to the following alumni whose recent bequests have strengthened the school's endowment. Their gifts make it possible for Curtis to be "tuition-free" and provide support for the training of Curtis students for many years to come, allowing the next generation of musicians to have the same opportunities they did:

• Suzanne Hanson Poole (Voice '50) was a generous supporter of the arts in her home state of New Mexico. Over the past two decades, Suzy served as a member of the Alumni Council, encouraged alumni to give back to the school, and made a substantial gift to the "Lenfest-Annenberg Challenge."  An additional $1 million gift from Suzy's estate will provide funds for training Curtis students for many years to come. 
• Gaetano A. Molieri (Viola '35) was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1970 until his retirement in 1999. With a generous bequest in his will, Mr. Molieri established a viola scholarship fund at Curtis in memory of his teacher, William Primrose. Many of Mr. Molieri's friends and Orchestra colleagues have made conributions to the fund in his memory. 
• Karen Tuttle (Viola '48) left a generous gift to Curtis from her estate. A beloved musician and teacher, Ms. Tuttle first served on the Curtis faculty in 1945 and continued teaching until shortly before her death in 2010.
• Ralph Berkowitz (Accompanying '35) was an early Curtis faculty member and cellist Gregor Piatigorsky's accompanyist for 30 years.  As Tanglewood's artistic director, he collaborated with the likes of Darius Milhaud, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and Serge Koussevitsky. Ralph endowed a studio at Curtis in memory of his first wife, Freda Pastor Berkowitz, and established the Ralph Berkowitz Fellowship for Curtis pianists.
• Ingrid Sobolewska (Voice '41) was a student of the legendary voice teacher Madame Euphemia Giannini Gregory, who was a member of the Curtis faculty from 1927 through 1973. When she studied at Curtis, Ms. Sobelewska went by the name Muriel Robertson.
• Wells Gemberling (Composition '46) left a bequest to Curtis in the name of and as a memorial to Sylvia Zaremba. At Curtis, Mr. Gemberling studied composition with Rosario Scarlaro, the same teacher who trained Leonard Bernstein (Conducting '41).
• Anna Bukay Hannaford (Harp '43) was student of Carlos Salzedo, one of the original Curtis faculty members in 1924. Through her trust arrangements, Mrs. Hannaford left Curtis her 1946 Lyon and Healy harp.
• Ellen Faull Gordon (Voice '45) studied voice at Curtis with Madame Gregory and left a generous gift to the school at her death. Her career spanned forty years on stage and forty-five years as a nationally respected teacher. Her daughter, Judith Gordon, told us, "My mother loved her time at Curtis and felt strongly that the investment Curtis makes in young artists is returned in manifold ways." 

• Barbara Elliott Bailey (Piano '43) studied piano at Curtis with Isabelle Vengerova, a member of the original Curtis faculty. Among other accomplishments in her career, Mrs. Bailey performed as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and collaborated with numerous chamber music groups. She was an active member of the Alumni Council and one of the first alums to join the Founder's Society.
• Eudice Shapiro Kast (Violin '35) studied violin at Curtis with legendary violinist Efrem Zimbalist. Her bequest was made in her name and in the name of her late husband, Victor Gottleib (Cello '35). Ms. Shapiro had a stellar career as a violin soloist, frequently performing at the Hollywood Bowl. In her later years, she was a master teacher at the USC Thornton School of Music.

Some Great Reasons to Include Curtis in Your Estate Plan

• Since 1928, every Curtis student has received a full-tuition scholarship.
• Curtis remains committed to, and focused on, its founding mission.
• Your gift to the school's endowment creates a meaningful and enduring legacy.
• You can direct your endowment gifts to provide much-needed financial aid for Curtis students.
• A gift of $250,000 will endow a Fellowship for a Curtis student.
• The school's endowment has a long history of being productive and prudently managed.
• There's no better way to honor the memory of loved ones than with an endowment gift to Curtis.
• You value music performed at the highest professional level,
• You value the high standards that are synonymous with Curtis, and
• You want to become a member of our Founder's Society.

The Founder’s Society Comes of Age

Begun in 1992 by a handful of Curtis trustees, the Founder's Society is now celebrating its 22nd year! There are now 185 Founder's Society members, ranging in age from twenty-three to ninety-nine.  About one-third of our Founder's Society members are Curtis alums. Other members include Curtis and Bok Foundation trustees, parents of Curtis students, parents of Curtis alumni, faculty and staff members, and many others who share a strong interest in Curtis.

The Founder's Society is named for Mary Louise Curtis Bok, a visionary dedicated to giving young musicians the very best musical training.  At the urging of the school's director, the legendary pianist Josef Hofmann, Mrs. Bok established the school's merit-based full-tuition policy by making a gift of $12.5 million to the Mary Louise Curtis Bok Foundation.  Although Mrs. Bok died in 1970, her legacy has endured, and Curtis continues to award full scholarships to all students, ensuring that admission is based solely on musical talent and artistic promise.

Once you become a member of the Founder's Society, you'll receive a subscription to Overtones and be informed of upcoming performances and alerted to significant developments at the school. In addition, Founder's Society members are recognized in concert and opera programs, and in the school's annual report. You can join the Founder’s Society by contacting Charles Sterne III, director of principal gifts and planned giving.

WORKING WITH Your Professional Advisors

"Planned Giving News at Curtis: A Legacy of Music” is updated regularly by the Curtis Institute of Music to inform alumni and friends of ways to ensure the future of Curtis through their estate and financial-planning arrangements. The information presented here is not intended as legal advice. We encourage you to consult your attorney and tax advisor to discuss how the ideas presented here may apply to your situation.

Contact Us

For additional information about planned gifts, including bequests and life income gifts, or establishing an endowment fund at Curtis, please contact Charles Sterne III, director of principal gifts and planned giving, or call (215) 717-3126.