2024 GBCC Annual Meeting Minutes
November 16, 2024, 9:15am
Church of Our Saviour, Brookline
Attendees (Primary Affiliation): Brad Dumont (GBCC Board), Kirsten Oberoi (South Shore Children’s Chorus, GBCC Board), Peter Smith (Back Bay Chorale, GBCC Board), Alison LaRosa (GBCC Staff), Elinor Armsby (Cantilena), David Campbell (Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus), Max Holman (Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus), Vincent James (New World Chorale), Alan Lawson (Masterworks Chorale), Stephanie Riley (Soleil Women’s Choir Project), John Salisbury, Sally DeFazio
Minutes Taken By: Alison LaRosa, General Manager
GBCC Chair Brad Dumont called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He introduced GBCC board members present and GBCC’s new general manager, Alison LaRosa.
Brad reminded those present of opportunities to maximize their GBCC membership: the website databases, Facebook and listserv, GBCC board directors providing consultations on matters one-on-one (new initiative). Brad encouraged members to share their needs and ideas.
Brad recognized departing board members, Jaclyn Dentino and Tori Cook. Brad invited the proposed directors-at-large to introduce themselves: Stephanie Riley, Elinor Armsby, Max Holman (in attendance), and Erik Peregrine (not present – Brad read his bio). A vote was taken to officially invite these four individuals to serve 3-year terms beginning immediately. The vote passed unanimously.* A second vote was taken to extend the following officers’ officer terms by one year: Brad Dumont (chair) and Peter Smith (treasurer).
*The following members voted on the board slate prior to the meeting via survey: David Hodgkins (Coro Allegro, New England Classical Singers), Gina Sonder (Cantilena), Sara Weiss (Pilgrim Festival Chorus), Cheryl Demeo (Lexington Pops Chorus), Emily Reed (Handel & Haydn Society). Their votes were unanimously in favor of the proposed slate.
Peter Smith gave the Treasurer’s Report. GBCC’s financial position is healthy. The current bank balance is roughly $17,000. Member dues remain the organization’s primary source of income, followed by event admission fees and occasional donations. One member asked if GBCC applies for and receives grants. On occasion, yes, though it has been a few years since the organization has focused on that. It is something the board might consider. Primary expenses include administrative support, website expenses, and event expenses.
Alison LaRosa, General Manager, gave a membership report. There are currently 76 active member choirs, with small-budget choirs making up the largest share. This is a slight dip from pre-pandemic levels, when we averaged 85 member choirs, but a steady improvement from earlier in the pandemic. Alison offered a warm welcome to new member choirs (8 since last year). She noted that the tiered membership rates which the organization introduced about a decade ago have not increased in price since that time. We encourage current members to help spread the word to other choirs about their positive member experience to encourage new memberships. Our consortium is at its best when we have a diverse, engaged membership.
The annual meeting adjourned at 9:45am for a choral workshop with Dr. Anthony Trecek-King.