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Curtis Planned Giving News:
A Legacy of Service and Generosity to Curtis A Legacy of Service and Generosity to Curtis 
When Vera Bruestle died on January 25, 2006, The Curtis Institute of Music lost a marvelous friend. For nineteen years, she served as executive assistant to the school’s directors. When Miss Bruestle retired in 2002, she described it as a “permanent vacation” rather than “retirement.” There were no parties or ceremonies--she made it very clear she wanted, in her words, “no fuss.” Shortly after her death, we learned that Miss Bruestle left the bulk of her estate in equal shares to Curtis and to her alma mater, Peirce College. She gave no directions and made no restrictions on her gift. Miss Bruestle’s gift—in excess of $1.5 million, one of the largest bequests Curtis has received—is invested as part of the school’s endowment, helping to support Curtis’s merit-based full-tuition scholarship policy. In 1982, at a normal retirement age, Miss Bruestle retired from the Scott Paper Company, where she had worked as an executive secretary in the offices of the chairman and president for many years. Then a Curtis trustee recruited her to work for John de Lancie, the director of Curtis at that time. During her years at Curtis, Miss Bruestle was at the center of everything happening here. Former president/director Gary Graffman says, “The scope of her knowledge of all things Curtis (and otherwise) was fantastic.” On May 3, 2006, three of Mr. Graffman’s former students—Di Wu (’05), Vitalij Kuprij (’00), and Natalie Zhu (’97)—performed a recital in Field Concert Hall in memory of Miss Bruestle. In her uniquely humble and dignified way, Miss Bruestle left a legacy that will endure for generations of Curtis students. [top] Will the Federal Estate Tax Really Go Away? Lawyers, CPAs, and other professionals who give estate-planning advice face greater uncertainty this year. The amount of taxable estate that is sheltered by the estate-tax credit changes tremendously over the next four years, due to the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001:
Next to no one expects the estate tax to go away in 2010, or to return to the pre-2001 law’s $1 million in 2011. Estate-planning lawyers and advisors seem to agree that Congress (regardless of which party is in control) will not allow that. As one highly respected Philadelphia attorney told us recently, “Even now, there’s general agreement that the ‘lunacy’ of a $3.5 million exemption in 2009, no tax in 2010, and a return to the $1 million exemption in 2011 makes no sense.” In an election year it’s unlikely that a resolution will be reached; the odds for something happening in 2009 are greater. In the meantime, there are many ways to reduce or eliminate taxes and reduce estate-administration expenses by carefully arranging gifts to nonprofit organizations, like Curtis. For starters, contact our development office (215-717-3126) and ask for a copy of “A Commitment to Excellence: Planning Your Legacy of Music.” [top] The Best Reasons to Leave a Gift to Curtis
What’s your best reason to leave a gift or bequest to Curtis? [top] The Founder’s Society The Curtis Institute of Music’s founder, Mary Louise Curtis Bok, established the school’s merit-based full-tuition policy in 1928. Although she died in 1970, Curtis continues to award full scholarships to all students, ensuring that admission is based solely on musical talent and artistic promise. The Founder’s Society recognizes those individuals who ensure the school’s future by including Curtis in their estates and financial planning. To join the Founder’s Society, please contact Charles Sterne III, director of major gifts and planned giving. [top] Life-Income Plans at Curtis Curtis offers a number of plans that provide immediate or deferred life-income to donors or their designated beneficiaries. Among them are charitable gift annuities, deferred gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and the Curtis Pooled Income Fund. Some restrictions apply. Learn more. [top] A Legacy of Music This issue of “Curtis Planned Giving News: A Legacy of Music” is published 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. [top] Contact Us For additional information about planned gifts or to subscribe to the Curtis Planned Giving News: A Legacy of Music, please contact Charles Sterne III, director of major gifts and planned giving. [top]
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Powered by Instant Encore, Curtis Radio provides a constant stream of music. Featured selections include works by Richard Strauss, Schoenberg, and Dvorák performed by the 2008 Curtis On Tour ensemble. |
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