All About Care and Joy: Why John Monahan Gives

John Monahan is the kind of person who doesn’t just love the LA Phil—he plans for its future. As a member of the Clark Society, John has included the LA Phil in his estate plans, a commitment rooted in gratitude, belief, and a deep desire to give back in a way that lasts.

For John, legacy giving isn’t about recognition. It’s about making sure the joy he has experienced—at the Bowl under the stars, inside Walt Disney Concert Hall’s sweeping sails—continues for others, long into the future.
And fittingly, when John talks about why he gives, he doesn’t begin with mission statements or strategic plans. He begins with people.

“It’s about relationships,” he says simply. “It’s about how people are treated—the appreciation and respect that I feel towards those I work with, and the appreciation and respect they show in return. That’s what inspires me to give and stay involved”

John lights up when he talks about the moments that make him feel connected—not just to the music, but to the community around it. He recalls how meaningful it is when someone from the LA Phil reaches out because they’ve seen he’s coming to a concert. It’s a small gesture, but to John, it signals something big: care.

That spirit of thoughtfulness extends to the behind-the-scenes experiences that remind him how special the LA Phil is. One example stands out. John had been attending an “Organ Crawl” at Walt Disney Concert Hall—an opportunity to explore and learn more about the Hall’s extraordinary pipe organ—and he mentioned to a member of the LA Phil family that a dear friend of his, an organ professor from the University of St. Thomas, would be visiting Los Angeles. His friend had never been to Walt Disney Concert Hall.

John asked a simple question: would it be possible to arrange a quiet tour of the Hall? The answer was yes—and then, remarkably, it became even more. A few days before the visit, John received a call: Would his friend like to come hours early and have time alone with the organ? John still gets emotional remembering what that meant.

“It was a lifetime experience for him,” he says. “That’s what this is about. It’s making people feel good. It’s all about care and joy.”

John’s own journey to California is a story shaped by exactly that kind of human serendipity. He grew up in Minnesota, and after college—where he sang in chorus and briefly considered the seminary—he announced offhand to a colleague that he might move to San Francisco. A chain reaction followed: a friend told a boss, a boss knew a friend, and suddenly John had a ride west. He arrived with two suitcases and $400, and somehow, it all became a life.

That spirit of openness and possibility has stayed with him ever since.

After transferring to Southern California for work in 1980, John made his home in Agoura Hills and Hancock Park. His first visit to the Hollywood Bowl came courtesy of a neighbor with box seats—an invitation that changed everything. He remembers being “struck by the beauty and the sheer magic of the space.” Not long after, he discovered Walt Disney Concert Hall, first by marveling at the architecture, then by becoming a subscriber and a regular concertgoer.

Music had been part of his life before—he toured Europe as a singer in college, performed onstage, and loved the arts—but hearing a full orchestra in Los Angeles and experiencing these iconic venues made the connection immediate and lasting. Concertgoing became a way to build community: inviting friends, sharing meals, creating “cultural nights” that brought people together.

And eventually, it became giving.

“I’ve been very fortunate in my career,” John reflects. “I feel a real responsibility to give back to the community—in a meaningful way.”

Even now, while John spends much of his time in Palm Springs, he remains deeply connected to the LA Phil. The music inspires him—he names Gustavo Dudamel as a particular favorite—but it’s the people behind the scenes who keep him engaged year after year.

For those considering their own philanthropic journey, John offers simple advice: start somewhere.
“It’s through a small donation,” he says. “Because a small donation will get bigger and bigger. You get a feel for the organization.”

And above all: give because you can—and because you care.

“I’ve been so fortunate,” John reflects. “Now it’s time to give back to the community.”

In the end, John’s story is not just about concerts or concert halls. It’s about the ways we show up for one another. It’s about turning gratitude into action. And it’s about making sure that the magic he felt that first night at the Hollywood Bowl continues—filled with music, connection, and joy—for generations to come.

To learn more about joining John Monahan as a member of the LA Phil’s Clark Society, reach out to us today at legacy@laphil.org.