Minutes of Chorus Committee Meeting

November 07, 2006

Concert Singers of Cary

Cary Senior Center, Cary, NC

All Directors and members of the Chorus Committee had received advance notice of the meeting. These Directors and Chorus Committee Members were present:

Directors

Artistic Director: Larry Speakman

Executive Director: David Lindquist

Chorus Committee

Chair: Geiselle Thompson

Soprano Section: Barb Klimala

Alto Section: Kathy Payne

Bass Section: David Britt (also, Recording Secretary)

At Large: Eleni Steadman

Barb Holbrook

These committee members were absent:

At Large: Scott Hansen

Simon Bate

Jan Mott

Tenor Section: Phil Ferski

Introduction:

Geiselle called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm

Approval of previous minutes:

The minutes of the October 03, 2006 chorus committee meeting were approved as written.

Old Business

Three Vacancies to Fill:

The chorus committee discussed potential candidates for three vacancies that need to be filled. A list of potential candidates was compiled for each role. Larry and others as appropriate will approach the suggested individuals to gauge their willingness to fill the roles below.

• House Manager: Scott Hansen has unofficially resigned as House Manager.

• Volunteers Coordinator: Simon Bate has officially resigned this role. Meredith Larson cannot fill the role at this time as was previously hoped.

• Music Librarian: Jan Mott has tendered her resignation for this role, effective June 2007. Some suggestions have been put forward by David, and discussions are ongoing.

Issues for Upcoming Concerts:

• Nov 19: Without a House Manager, there may be some concern about logistics with this concert. David will recruit from the Chorus Committee as necessary.

Artistic Director’s Report:

Larry is optimistic about the November concert, noting that the harder pieces, Bach and Ives, are coming together nicely. Some of our pieces are under rehearsed, and focus will be given to these at upcoming rehearsals.

The Chamber Choir has accepted an invitation to perform at a facility dedication in the town of Holly Springs. Material from the Holiday Pops concert will be performed, and Concert Singers will receive $750.00 compensation for our appearance there.

We had received an invitation to sing with the NC Symphony, but the performance date conflicts with our concert next year. Although we declined, we’ve expressed an interest in exploring future collaborative efforts.

Larry is guest-conducting the Raleigh Symphony on Thanksgiving weekend.

Executive Director’s Report:

David Lindquist distributed a hard copy of the Executive Director’s Report at the meeting, and the report is published in electronic format on the CSC website. The following is extracted from that report. David Writes:

Finances and Budget: Income has been good but we have gotten grant monies earlier than projected; ad sales and dues are coming in at close to projected levels –we have a few people who need to pay; pledges started strong—hopefully that will continue; Expenses are going to be more interesting: audit and lighting will come in about $1,000 beyond budget; printing looks to be a little higher, too. But I think we can cover these amounts as we go along with savings elsewhere; and we are now into our FY 06 audit. We’re expecting that to be finished in December.

Logistics: I am finalizing details for lighting and sound with Gemworks for the Holiday Pops concert; same as last year except more lighting via 2nd truss over singers, and details with Westwood for Psalms concert are complete; we have sound and lighting person, will get use of hearing assistance devices if needed, PowerPoint, door key.

Publicity and Printing: 2006-07 programs are at printer (FutureGraphics). We are printing 500 to cover November and May concerts only; December and May will be small standalone books which repeat paid ads.; All mailings for November concert, brochures, etc. went out two weeks ago.; Next mailing is next week (December postcard). I will call a stuffing party tomorrow; Debi DeAnn has volunteered to be my Mailing Coordinator; Ads will be starting soon ; November concert will be in What’s Up on 11/17 and we’re doing a joint ad with Cary Players, Cary Community Choir, and Cary Ballet starting next week in Cary News and What’s Up.; We are planning a spring joint arts brochure.; and a very good team is preparing our Tinsel Town Tree and Tree Lighting Ornament.

Recordings and Ticket Sales: “An American Celebration” is now in production. We are hoping to get them in time for Holiday Pops concert; costs and revenues will be split with Triangle Wind Ensemble; The Jazz-Beatles CD order (40 units) was placed; Recording engineer confirmed for November and December concerts; and Ticket sales have so far been tepid, and we have no sales (again) at Burt Music.

Volunteering: Response this year has been good for mailings, stuffings, data entry, First Night, scholarship committee; less enthusiasm was seen for ushers and lobby staff, WCPE, Musicales committee, MIDI sequencers.

Miscellaneous: C4 is doing very well; 26 children are involved who are preparing for a December 8 concert; I am writing a letter of agreement with Holly Springs for the December 9 chamber appearance. We will have a dozen carolers at Cary Players on December 15 and at a private party December 17 (this one for a fee). I spoke at the United Arts Council board meeting on October 31st. Our grant report for Cary Lazy Daze was filed 11/1---our Lazy Daze and UAC grants are coming up soon. All MIDIs save two have been posted to the Practice Page.

Treasurer’s Report:

David reported on CSC finances on behalf of the treasurer as part of his Executive Director’s report, above.

Next meetings:

The next meeting of the Chorus Committee is scheduled for January 2, 2007, location TBA.

The meeting closed at 8:45pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Dave Britt

Secretary

CSC Chorus Committee