Society of Singers
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Society of Singers, known appropriately as "SOS" is the only nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization devoted exclusively to helping professional singers.
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[edit] Foundation
SOS was co-founded in 1984 by Ginny Mancini, widow of Academy award-winning composer Henry Mancini, and Gilda Maiken Anderson to help singers in need, as there is no union or guild that exclusively represents the rights of singers. It is the mission of SOS to benefit the health and welfare of professional singers by providing emergency assistance and other human services to those in acute financial need. Additionally, the SOS Vocal Arts Scholarship Program helps deserving students take their first step toward becoming professionals in the vocal arts. Tuition-based scholarships are granted to those obtaining their Masters degrees in Voice at nationwide universities.
[edit] Funding
SOS is primarily funded by individual and corporate donations. Both singers and non-singers alike are supporters of the SOS mission and continue to contribute, at various giving levels, to the SOS Annual Fund. SOS supporters have included Barbra Streisand, Florence Henderson, Pat Boone, Elton John, and Barry Manilow to name a few. As a 501 (c)3 organization it is supported by tax-deductible contribution which help SOS maintain its free and confidential programs. The official SOS website at www.singers.org is set up for information and donations/supporters
[edit] Ella Award & Other Events
SOS's premier fundraising event is called the ELLA and named for the its first recipient in 1989, Ella Fitzgerald. SOS holds other events throughout the year to help raise funds for the cause.
[edit] Recipients
- Ella Fitzgerald (1989)
- Frank Sinatra (1990)
- Tony Martin (1992)
- Peggy Lee (1994)
- Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme (1995)
- Lena Horne (1997)
- Rosemary Clooney (1998)
- Joe Williams (1999)
- Tony Bennett (2000)
- Julie Andrews (2001)
- Plácido Domingo (2002)
- Barry Manilow (2003)
- Celine Dion (2004)
- Elton John (2005)
- Johnny Mathis (2006)
- Gladys Knight (2007)
- Andy Williams (2008)
- Herb Alpert & Lani Hall (2009)
- Natalie Cole (2010)
