Gifting a legacy

Leaving a bequest is a deeply meaningful way to honour a love of orchestral music, support the ASO’s future, and ensure that live performance continues to inspire future generations. Those who choose to leave a gift in their will are welcomed into the Grainger Circle, a community that recognises and celebrates the impact of their generosity. We spoke with its newest member, Dr Junia Vaz de Melo, about what inspired her decision to leave a bequest to the ASO. 

What inspired you to include the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in your will?  

As one approaches an inevitable ‘Best Before’ date in one’s life, a pressing question is ‘What comes next?’ What will the world be, and how can I contribute to it being beautiful, and pleasurable, and kind to those who will be partaking of it, after I no longer am? This question is particularly relevant when one does not have children or direct family heirs, as is my case. It thus became essential for me to ensure that whichever material wealth I have accumulated over decades of very hard work would be distributed among people and institutions which deserved ‘a little help from a friend’, and which were dear to my heart. Among the latter, the ASO featured prominently, for having given me so much pleasure in their expert execution of inspiring music, since I moved to Adelaide in 2008.  
 

Over the years, I also developed a personal connection with the orchestra, via my strong friendship with one of its talented, long-serving violinists, Kemeri Spurr. She gradually introduced me to several other fantastic players such as Shirin Lim, Martin Butler, Hilary Bruer, Danielle Jaquillard and the ever so cheerful Jackie Newcomb, who also became my personal friends, adding further stimulus for my attending the concerts. In fact, I find the overall ‘atmosphere’ of the ASO quite convivial, with the players always expressing happy and engaging faces, and the admin personnel being extremely kind and helpful to the patrons. 

Do you remember the first time you attended an ASO concert? 

I vividly remember the first ASO concert I attended, with Richard Tognetti as an invited soloist and conductor, and preceded by a very interesting talk by Richard Chew. I had recently moved here from London, where I frequently attended concerts by prestigious international orchestras, and was delighted to find a symphony orchestra in ‘little Adelaide’ which was totally on a par with those in ‘big Europe’!  

Why do you believe the arts, particularly orchestras, are important in today’s world? 

When choosing the recipients of my bequest, it was important to me to acknowledge how much the Arts, in general, enrich people’s lives, and how little credit and financial support they receive, in comparison to sports, health and social care institutions. Within the arts sector, music and dance are my favourites. Orchestras hold a special position in the music scene because, not only do they have a presence of their own, but they are essential (and often unappreciated) in the performance of operas, choirs, ballet, musicals and theatre. Having followed the ASO’s program for the past 16 years, it is delightful to see how much it has expanded its remit and embraced innovative ideas to attract an increasingly wider and diverse range of music lovers.  

How do you feel knowing that your gift will help sustain the ASO’s work into the future? 

Although I come from a non-music (medical) professional background, I have always been passionate about music in general, and classical music in particular. Without any proper training, I embarked in a rather late venture in the performance field, as a choral singer, for the pure joy of ‘making beautiful music’ in a team of like-minded individuals. The pleasure I derive from such activity is unquantifiable! This, in itself, was a great contributor to my wanting to entrust the ASO with the mission of transmitting that kind of joy to others, when I no longer am here to join in the fun! I hope that my financial legacy will somehow help to support their various programs, thus ensuring that both performers and the public continue to share in the joy of music. In this way, I derive happiness in the present, for what will happen in the future. Not a bad second best for being part of that future!  

For a confidential and sensitive discussion about your will, or to notify us of your intentions, please contact our Head of Development, Lucy Eckermann, EckermannL@aso.com.au or 08 8233 6263.