From Strings to Symphony: How Do More 24 Delaware is Helping SODELO Grow and Transform the Arts in Sussex County
During 2024, the Southern Delaware Orchestra (SODELO) expanded from a strings-only ensemble to a full 75+-musician symphony orchestra, including winds, brass, and percussion. SODELO is dedicated to serving the Sussex County, DE community and they are Sussex’s Home Orchestra.
The Do More 24 Delaware campaign is a critical component of SODELO’s fund-raising efforts. Funds raised help offset general operating expenses, including venue rental, music purchases, remuneration for its Music Director, Concertmaster, & soloists, marketing, and insurance. The Do More 24 Delaware fundraising also helps to make our outreach efforts for senior citizens as well as students in Sussex County.
We met with Charles Bachman, Board Member and violist, and Steve Greifer, co-founder and Board President and violinist of SODELO to learn more.
Q: Can you tell me more about SODELO’s origins and growth?
Greifer: Two and a half years ago, I decided to make a post on Facebook, searching for people to play chamber music with, after taking 30 years off. I received enough responses to create a 20-person orchestra, which has grown to a 75-person orchestra. We went from a string orchestra to a full symphony orchestra. Our audience has grown, and so have our ambitions. With that has come the need for funding, which is why we are glad to be participating in Do More 24 DE. Do More 24 DE has also played an important role in making us a part of the Southern Delaware Arts Community; overall, it has helped us grow in many important ways.
Q: How has Spur Impact made a difference in your organization?
Bachman: SODELO was initially focused on growing itself internally. Spur Impact was one of our first external relationships. Myself and the staff have been introduced to the nonprofit world and have learned more about it. It’s a great service to the nonprofit community. The templates shared with us, and webinars offered, have shaped our initiative not just for Do More 24 DE, but for our own marketing campaigns.
Q: What was it like to participate in Do More 24 DE?
Greifer: Prior to the event, we updated our website and enriched our presence on the Do More 24 DE website, to ensure that potential donors understood our message. During the event, we participated in interviews and tried our best to communicate our mission.
Q: In what ways has your organization grown since partnering with Do More 24 DE?
Greifer: Knowing that we are participating in Do More 24 DE and can count on financial support allows us to take risks. Having a foundation like Do More 24 DE really helps us execute our mission. For example, there was an element of risk in going from a string orchestra to a full ensemble. The Do More 24 DE campaign eliminated some of that risk, since we were a part of a larger community from which to gain support. Another area of risk was extending our geography. We got to the point where we had a long streak of sellouts. As we grew, we began to play in other areas such as Georgetown and Ocean View. Those events could cause us to potentially lose money. Again, Do More 24 helped provide the foundation we needed.
Q: Have you made any valuable connections through Do More 24 DE that you would like to share?
Bachman: Our relationship with the Delaware Division of the Arts has strengthened and we have connected with music performing arts organizations in the areas.
Q: What is it like to work with the Spur Impact and Do More 24 DE team?
Bachman: Jenn took the time to understand our organization’s mission and objective; her perspective and input has been very beneficial. The whole team has been extremely responsive. Having a social media ambassador from the University of Delaware has been advantageous in gaining a Gen Z perspective of social media. It has all been more than I could ask for.
Learn more about the SODELO organization here!
