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:
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Audience
development
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Public relations and advertising
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Fundraising
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Ticket prices and subscription policies
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Program book advertising
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Rehearsal and concert sites
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Music libraries
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Concert schedules
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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, cooperative
audition listings, and VIP Discount Cards, which give subscribers
and donors an opportunity to sample many choral groups'
concerts at reduced rates.
Consortium
representatives meet once a month, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30
p.m. (to avoid conflict with evening rehearsals and other
chorus meetings), on days varying from Monday through Thursday.
The meeting locations, in Boston, 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:
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$40.00
annual dues. Representatives of prospective member groups
are permitted to audit two Consortium meetings prior to
paying dues.
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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.
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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:
Isabel Geller,
Membership Coordinator, Isgell@aol.com,
978-852-8037
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.
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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.
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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.
The following listings were posted by Consortium member ensembles for positions in their organizations:
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"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."
- Catherine Peterson
Executive Director, ArtsBoston
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