Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Receives $2 Million Gift from W. Jerome Frautschi, Bringing Grand Finale Campaign to $32.3 Million

MADISON, Wis. – 10/22/2025 – The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (WYSO) has announced a transformational $2 million gift from W. Jerome Frautschi, bringing the organization’s Grand Finale capital campaign total to $32.3 million, with just $1.2 million remaining to reach its $33.5 million goal.

This major gift marks a pivotal moment in WYSO’s journey to secure ownership of its new state-of-the-art performance and rehearsal facility — the WYSO Center for Music — ensuring a permanent home for music education and performance in Madison. The WYSO Center stands as both a cornerstone for the next generation of young musicians and a vibrant community asset that will serve Wisconsin for decades to come.

“Mr. Frautschi’s investment in WYSO represents more than financial support, it’s an investment in the future of music education and the countless young lives that will be transformed through our programs,” said Diane Ballweg, Campaign Co-Chair. “This gift brings us significantly closer to securing WYSO’s future and ensures that generations of young musicians will have access to exceptional musical training and performance opportunities.”

Since its founding in 1966, WYSO has provided exceptional orchestral training and performance opportunities for young musicians from elementary through high school. Thousands of students have gone on to pursue careers in music or lifelong participation in the arts, making WYSO one of Wisconsin’s most enduring cultural institutions.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mr. Frautschi for his immense generosity and continued belief in the importance of arts education,” said Michelle Kaebisch, Executive Director of WYSO. “Owning our facility outright will allow us to direct more resources toward our mission, expanding access, offering more programs, and ensuring that every aspiring young musician has a place to grow.”

W. Jerome Frautschi has a long history of supporting arts and cultural organizations throughout Wisconsin, particularly those that provide educational opportunities and enrich community life.

“Music and the cultural arts have always had an important role in my life, and it gives me

great pleasure to support the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras and their mission

to make music accessible to all children,” said W. Jerome Frautschi. “For me, The WYSO Center for Music is more than a building; it’s a community of students developing confidence, learning to express

themselves, sharing and growing through music. It is my hope that WYSO students

carry their experiences and love for music with them throughout their lives.”

With just $1.2 million remaining, WYSO invites the community to help finish this historic campaign and celebrate the WYSO Center for Music, a home that will inspire generations of young musicians to come.

To learn more about the Grand Finale campaign, upcoming performances, or ways to support WYSO, visit https://wysomusic.org or contact wyso@wysomusic.org.

Tour the WYSO Center for Music

Want to see the magic firsthand? Join us for a guided tour of the WYSO Center on the first Thursday of every month at 3:00 PM. Learn about the space, meet the team, and explore how your support is shaping the next generation of musicians.

Campaign Leadership

Charles McLimans

Jim McNulty

Nicholas Mischler

Jake Penner

Eric Prudent

Would you like to speak with a member of WYSO’s Development Team? Email development@wysomusic.org or Charles McLimans, Director of Philanthopy, at charles@wysomusic.org.