“If you could direct a contribution of $1,000 to a musical organization, which one would you choose, and why?”

Bob Baron, Millbrae : West Bay Opera. The regional opera company has been producing three excellent operas per year for over 40 years at affordable prices with full staging and orchestra. They have come upon hard times since 9/11, the dot.com implosion and the economic downturn. I want alternatives to SF Opera and the opportunity for young artists to perform before appreciative audiences.

Nina Beckwith, San Francisco: Answer : Music in the Schools - reasons painfully obvious

Sylvia Bonnell, Berkeley: New Century Chamber Orchestra because it is an extraordinary young group that plays with commitment, excitement, and refinement, but nevertheless lacks the kind of endowment that would enable the organization to provide greater pay and genuine health benefits to its members, many of whom have no health insurance. The more established local musical organizations have large endowments and do provide their musicians with benefits. Of all the local chamber groups, only NCCO provides intelligent programming and beautiful ensemble playing with a breadth of repertoire that is difficult to achieve.

Lynn Bryant, San Francisco: The SF Opera. Why? We need the opera company. The new director is dealing with a financial mess she didn't create. Her financial plans for the future are solid and defensible. I'd help bail her out — and hope the money allows her to buy complete costumes for the cast

Martin Cohn, San Francisco: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra

Dan Eisenstein, Berkeley: I would give my $1000 to Pocket Opera because 1) It would mean so much to them
2) They would put it to good use with no waste
3) They do fabulously good work
4) They are so entertaining and just plain fun
5) Donald Pippin is an angel of some sort and how can you refuse to help an angel?

Theresa Gabel, Vallejo: My husband and I have been supporting the Vallejo Symphony at a much higher level than $1000 for the past few years (more than we have ever given to any other arts organization) because: (1) David Ramadanoff, the conductor, is one of the finest among the regional orchestras; (2) the musicians play their hearts out for him despite the lowest per-service rate in the Bay Area; (3) it's important to us to support this very fine art in our community, which is not yet known for the finer things in life; and (4) despite the troubles in the orchestra world, the Vallejo Symphony will NOT go down because of our neglect — we are taking personal responsibility to keep this music alive in our city.

David Hammer, Menlo Park: All musical organizations need money, these days, more than ever, but $1000 would not be a drop in the bucket if I gave to California Bach Society as it would be were I to give the same amount to the opera, for example. I want to know that my contribution matters directly, that I will not just be another name among thousands in the program. The artistic merits of CBS are well known (in these 'pages' at least) and I want to them to continue. My remarks apply of course to several groups of comparable merit and need.

Eleanor Hammer, Palo Alto: California Bach Society, because this choral group produces excellent programs that are unified, unique, and historically "informed." One thousand dollars would be a drop in the bucket for opera, but would make a big difference to CBS.

Sarah Hoffman, Corvallis, Oregon: I would love to have $1000 (or even any amount of money, really) to give to the Eugene Opera. This small regional house is really suffering because of the economic downturn. EO had to cancel its third production of the 2003-2003 season and it is struggling even to have a 2003-2004 season. EO has a great history and has been an important part of the cultural scene in the southern Willamette Valley of Oregon. Its director, Robert Ashens, is a creative conductor and GM, and he deserves the funding to keep this company going.

James Johnston, Anchorage, Alaska: If I had only one such contribution to make, it would go to Anchorage Opera, of which I am outgoing Board president. As it is, I am fortunate enough to be able to, and do make such contributions, and more, to a number of companies, particularly Pittsburgh Opera

Julia Kramer, Palo Alto: Answer : Soli Deo Gloria conducted by Allen Simon - Because this choir manages to take ordinary singers and turn them into extraordinary musicians! A Bay Area treasure!

Philipp Mahony, Australia: I would choose www.lieder.net because although this is not a musical organization per se, it educates a huge number of people on classical song in a very unostentatious way.

Pamela Pang, San Francisco: San Francisco Performances because they respect audiences, donors, and artists. They treat me like a person with a life!

Theodore Weis, Napa I have, and my choices have been opera companies and choirs. As a singer it is an obvious prejudice. In addition, I think vocal music needs its champions, and opera, especially, requires much support because of its complexity and the need for really good performers.