Like so many of the generous members of the LA Phil’s Clark Society who have left a gift to the LA Phil in their will or trust, Jay Bartush decided to leave a bequest to the LA Phil because of his deep, lifelong love of music. 

Bartush grew up in Detroit, and he first discovered orchestral music through the Detroit Symphony’s programs for schoolchildren. Through his legacy gift to the LA Phil, Jay is ensuring that young people today will have the same opportunities to experience music that he had as a child.

Jay has been an LA Phil subscriber since he moved from the Midwest to Los Angeles in the 1980s. He has heard the LA Phil evolve from André Previn’s orchestra to Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen’s to Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel’s today.  

“Dudamel, in particular, has a knack for being able to pair music in eye-opening and dynamic ways,” Bartush said. “I remember the concerts featuring the music of both Charles Ives and Dvořák. They are such disparate composers, but Dudamel was able to draw out what connected them. He has done that time and again throughout his time here.”

Jay is optimistic that the future of music in Los Angeles is a bright one: “Dudamel’s legacy can been seen in his music as well as his community programs like YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). YOLA is bridging the music education gap and providing a way for young people to connect with classical music,” Bartush said. “Anything patrons can do through a gift, either in the present or as a legacy gift, will make such a difference in the lives of young people!”

To learn more about making a Legacy gift to the LA Phil, please contact our team at legacy@laphil.org or call 213 972 3458.