The
Greater Boston Choral Consortium was formed in 1989 as a
cooperative effort to promote greater awareness of the many
and varied choral groups in the Greater Boston area. Representatives
of the member ensembles of the Consortium meet monthly to discuss
common management concerns and promotional strategies; offer
mutual support; and generate ideas for cooperative efforts
to benefit all groups.
One
of the primary benefits of the Consortium for choral managers--many
of whom work in isolation--has been the creation of a regular
forum for discussion of concerns, as well as a network of
colleagues with a wide range of experience to consult when
needed. Consortium members regularly exchange information
on the following topics:
Audience
development
Public relations and advertising
Fundraising
Ticket prices and subscription policies
Program book advertising
Rehearsal and concert sites
Music libraries
Concert schedules
Organizational structure
Guest
speakers frequently address meetings as well. Minutes of
meetings provided to members comprise an informative handbook
of strategies for handling recurring issues. Representatives
periodically survey the member groups regarding salaries
of music professionals and other administrative matters.
The
Consortium's most popular promotional projects include joint
program book listings and newspaper advertisements.
Consortium
representatives meet once a month, on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30
p.m. (to avoid conflict with evening rehearsals and other
chorus meetings).
The meeting locations, in Brookline and Cambridge,
are convenient to both parking and public transportation.
There are no meetings in July, August, or December.
The
minimum requirements for membership are as follows:
$50.00
annual dues. Representatives of prospective member groups
are permitted to audit two Consortium meetings prior to
paying dues.
Attendance
at 5 of the 9 Consortium meetings each season. This requirement
may be prorated for a new member group, based on when
that group's representative first attends a meeting.
Designation of one primary representative to the Consortium.
The representative is responsible for communicating Consortium
information to relevant individuals in the member group.
The Consortium strongly recommends that this representative
attend all meetings. However, the representative may send
an occasional substitute as long as that substitute is
fully prepared for the meeting and briefed on Consortium
matters.
The
Consortium is a volunteer association with no paid staff.
A cooperative spirit on the part of member representatives
enables both an open information exchange and the successful
completion of the organization's tasks and projects.
To
request that your ensemble join the Consortium, review the Requirements
(above) and contact Gina Poole, Vice-Chairperson,
,
508-653-9230.
Grants
Massachusetts
Cultural Council
The
the Massachusetts Cultural Council receives an
annual appropriation from the state legislature. It then
makes thousands of grants to not-for-profit cultural organizations,
schools, communities and working artists, for programs that
use the arts, sciences and humanities to build stronger,
more diverse, more livable communities. Beneficiaries include
a broad cross-section of the state's population: students;
at-risk youth; elders; people with disabilities and everyday
citizens in each city and town across the state. The Massachusetts
Cultural Council makes grants to cultural organizations
with track records of excellence and community service.
Grants are available for groups of all sizes and disciplines. The mission of MCC is to promote
excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts,
humanities and interpretive sciences in order to improve
the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and
to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.
For more than 30 years, the MCC has proudly invested in
the cultural life of Massachusetts.
For more information on the Massachusetts Cultural Council, go to the
MCC web site.
Choral Arts New England
Choral Arts New England (Choral Arts NE) is a not-for-profit organization specializing in support for Choral Excellence, through the Alfred Nash Patterson Foundation grants and other networking opportunities.
There is an annual award cycle, for which grant applications must be postmarked by February 28, 2002. Proposals for projects produced between September 1, 2002 and August 31, 2003 are eligible for consideration in the FY2002 cycle. Alfred NashPatterson Grants are typically in the range of $1,000 to $2000, although larger amounts are considered. Applicant organizations must be non-profit.
Barbara Penfeld, Choral Arts representative to GBCC, is available to provide assistance:
Barbara B. Penfield,
17 Bradford Road, Weston, MA 02493-2104
(781) 894-9065, barbara@penfield.fm
Originally formed in 1980, the Alfred Nash Patterson Foundation honors the memory Alfred Nash Patterson, who organized his first civic chorus in the mid-1940s and for the next thirty-five years exerted to the utmost his talent, musical intelligence, charm and elan to the furtherance of the choral arts. He was a teacher of choral conducting at Berkshire Music Center and Tanglewood, and a frequent member of the regional auditions committee for the Metropolitan Opera
"Bud" Patterson founded Chors pro Musica, conducted the Brandeis University Chorus, Cape Code Chorale, the Worcester County Music Association, and the Worcestar Festival. He was organist and choir director at Christ Church, Cambridge, and in Boston at the Church of the Advent and Old South Church.
Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts
Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts, Inc. (AGM) is a statewide organization of corporate and foundation grantmakers throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. AGM produces the Massachusetts Grantmakers Directory that lists the goals and limitations of Commonwealth grantmaking programs. AGM also maintains grantmaker information in its AGM Online database.
Positions Available
The following listings were posted by Consortium member ensembles for positions in their organizations:
Conductors, Music Directors
Soloists or Instrumentalists
The Halalisa Singers are currently in search for a piano
accompanist for our chorus. We are a 30 voice auditioned SATB
ensemble that performs an ecclectic mix of world/jazz/Gospel/ classical and pop throughout the Greater Boston area. We rehearse on Monday evenings, from 7:30-9:30 PM at the Hancock
Church in Lexington. September through April. We perform two main
repertoires per year generally at late January and late April/early
May concerts with occasional other concerts.
For more information and to schedule and appointment contact Mary
Neumann, Artistic Director at 781-862-6353 or marykcn@gmail.com,
www.halalisa.org. exp: 09/13/2010
Composers
Administrators
Organization:Masterworks Chorale Job Title: Administrative Assistant Type: Part-Time Description:Masterworks Chorale (MWC) seeks an organized, responsible, self-motivated and congenial individual for the part-time position of Administrative Assistant.
This position incorporates two separate personnel needs of MWC into one.
The Ticket Manager administers and coordinates all aspects of MWC ticket management and sales, both subscription and single tickets, to all MWC events. Responsibilities include and are not limited to:
Filling subscription and single-ticket orders from patrons and Chorale members via posted mail, email, website and Chorale events, dress rehearsals, and some Tuesday evening rehearsals to be determined;
Managing and distributing ticket vouchers and/or complimentary tickets to donors, sponsors, media, business and promotional partners, as well as at the discretion of the MWC Board of Directors and Music Director; and
Managing the Will-Call and/or Ticket Table at MWC events.
The Administrative Assistant assists in all areas of MWC administration. Responsibilities include and are not limited to:
Working closely with the MWC Music Director, Board President, Board Treasurer and Concert Coordinator to maintain a professional image, a smooth operation, and all within budget;
Being the official liaison between MWC and the ticketing/management staffs of our performance and events venues;
In consultation with the Music Director, coordinate concert hall and rehearsal space, soloists, and instrument rentals, moving and tuning schedules;
Generating and distributing publicity/public relations materials, donor appeal letters, mass subscriber mailings and grant applications;
Carrying out all formal and informal business correspondence via telephone, email and posted mail; and
Checking for voice mail and email messages daily; retrieving posted mail from our PO Box in Lexington several times weekly; responding to and/or forwarding all messages and correspondence appropriately and efficiently.
Except for the established performance/event schedule and the occasional Tuesday night Chorale rehearsal, the Administrative Assistant mainly works independently from home with a flexible schedule. Approximately 5 to 12 hours a week, which varies with the year’s schedule, with an overall average of approximately 9 hours weekly.
Qualifications: Successful candidates:
must demonstrate the ability to work independently and on schedule;
must possess strong computer skills (database, spreadsheet [MS Excel], word-processing, mail-merge [MS Word] and strong communication skills, both verbal and written; and
must have the temperament to work closely with professionals and volunteers who are talented, committed and passionate about music.
How To Apply: Only emailed applications will be considered. Send letter of application, resume, and a list of three telephone references to:
Apply by: August 27, 2010 Salary: $11/hourly. 5 to 12 hours weekly. Average approx. 9 hours/weekly Date Posted:8/13/2010
About this Organization: Founded in 1940, Masterworks Chorale is one of the leading choruses in the Boston area and an active part of the region's musical community. Led by conductor Steven Karidoyanes, Masterworks draws its committed singers, professional orchestra and talented soloists from throughout New England. The Chorale performs a three-concert series at Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, offers popular community Sings at the holidays and in the summer, and provides intergenerational outreach opportunities.
"The
GBCC is an invaluable source of networking in our music community.
Members of the Consortium can call each other for problem
solving, creating collaborations, sharing ideas, and receiving
support. It's a great way to build a sense of community. Hearing
someone say, 'I've been there, too, and you'll get through
it!' really helps developing choruses."
