|
|
Item |
Action |
|
|
Apologies for
absence:
Richard Payne (RP)
Program and Website/Fixer
Margaret Carpenter (MC) Membership
Secretary
|
|
|
|
Minutes of previous
meeting:
The minutes were signed as a true record.
|
|
|
|
Matters arising: |
|
|
There were no matters arising.
|
|
|
|
Finances –
Treasurer’s report:
DS stated that the
18 October 2008 concert came in at around £150 over budget.
In relation to the New Year’s Day concert, DS said that ticket sales
were ahead of the equivalent point last year. In particular, more
tickets had been sold through the Orchestra than last year.
Nonetheless, DS said
that costs were up and there was still no sponsorship. As a result,
there was still a long way to go.
In terms of the
financial position for the year, interest rates were likely to fall
and the Arts Council grant was no longer in SASO’s account. In
addition, there had been expenditure on the screens. Subscriptions
from Orchestra members had been budgeted for £9000 however, £7850
had been received.
In light of this, DS
stated that the projected deficit for this year was £1200. It was
therefore imperative to increase income this year, particularly
through ticket sales.
|
|
|
|
Grants - status:
JR confirmed that SASO could obtain the final £1,000
that was due from the Arts Council. A cheque for this amount would
be forthcoming.
Further potential
sources for grants would be considered once the programme for next
year was finalised. |
JR
|
|
|
Arrangements for the New Year's Day concert:
Arrangements for the
New Year’s Day concert were discussed.
KaM confirmed that
SASO pencils had been produced and that these would be provided with
the survey to be handed out at the New Year’s Day concert.
Requests would be
made for individuals to hand out the surveys and to sell programmes.
The first violins
would organise the after-concert party. |
|
|
|
Arrangements for the
later season concerts:
JR stated that he
expected an answer shortly in respect of the soloist for the March
2009 concert.
KM said that he
would discuss publicity issues with KaM in relation to the March
2009 concert in the New Year.
JR stated that he
would discuss the requirements for the April 2009 concert with
relevant members of the Orchestra.
In relation to the
St Cecilia “bring and sing” on 28 February 2009, KM confirmed that
flyers would be available shortly and that the event would take
place at Homewood Road.
JF stated that he
knew of a composer that had a piece (with narrator) that may be
suitable for the Children’s Concert. JF agreed to provide details
to JR. The Committee reiterated that all pieces needed to be short.
In respect of the
Concerto Evening, there had been bids relating to horn, tuba and
flute pieces. JR asked for further suggestions and said that people
who did not have a piece accepted last year would have priority.
The deadline for bids would be the end of March 2009.
|
JR
KM/KaM
JR
JF
|
|
|
Sponsorship, Publicity, and
Press relations
KM stated that it
was proving difficult to obtain sponsorship.
JF was continuing
his efforts with St Albans Chamber of Commerce. JF had also written
to a local solicitor’s firm in relation to a possible advertising
opportunity.
JF also agreed to
discuss potential funds from the John Lewis Partnership with Sarah
Leleux.
Further funding
opportunities were discussed. CD agreed to provide KM with a note
on matched funding schemes. Such employer-run schemes meant that
employers matched certain charitable contributions made by
employees.
DU reported that
press exposure had been very good. Radio Verulam, in particular,
had provided considerable publicity to SASO.
KM stated that
further efforts would need to be made in relation to flyers and
posters. Methods for doing this would need to be considered. It
may be that each SASO member would be required to go to one concert
per year to distribute flyers.
CL said that he was
working on the possibility of a banner near King Harry’s roundabout,
although cost remained an issue.
|
JF
JF
CD
CL |
|
|
Increasing our audiences:
DU stated that this should be
tied in with the programme for 2009-10.
JW stated that she had
provided the names of the heads of music at local schools.
JF suggested that a small
group from SASO could play in the St Albans Residents First
Weekend. This generally took place in the September of each year,
which could cause availability issues. JF stated that he would
raise the possibility of a performance with St Albans DC.
KM stated that the Brahms
Concert in 2009 would be part of the St Albans Festival. KM would
continue to discuss publicity opportunities with the Festival
organisers in this regard.
|
JF
KM |
|
|
2009-10 season:
The Committee discussed
possibilities for the 2009-10 season.
There will be a St Cecilia
Society concert on 17 October 2009 in St Albans Abbey. The work
will be Verdi’s Requiem.
Various options were
considered for the 1 January 2010 New Year’s Day concert. KM stated
that he would prepare a shortlist of the options and consult with
the Orchestra. In addition, the survey results from the 1 January
2009 concert will provide useful input.
There will be a
concert in early March 2010 at St Saviours. Programme suggestions
were considered.
JR suggested Brahms’
second serenade for the April 2010 concert. 24 April 2010 was
suggested as a potential date. KM would enquire about the
availability of Harpenden Methodist Church.
St Albans Abbey had
been booked for 12 June 2010 for a Mahler 2 concert with the Watford
Philharmonic Society Choir. JR would approach a potential sponsor
for this concert.
Suggestions were
made for the date of the Children’s Concert. Of the two possible
dates (27 June and 4 July 2010), 4 July 2010 was preferred.
|
KM
KM
JR |
|
|
Any other
business:
It was agreed
that setting up prior to each rehearsal would be the responsibility
of the section(s) on the rota for tea/coffee that week.
JW stated that
St Saviours had requested an increase from £25 to £35 for providing
refreshments at concerts, owing to a poor level of donations from
the audience. It was agreed that, at first sight, this was too much
and JR suggested that a local charity may prefer to take this job
over if they were offered the opportunity to retain all profits.
KM stated that
there was the possibility of a guest conductor for a 29 April 2009
repertoire evening. KM would make further enquiries.
KM reported on a
recent Making Music workshop. The focus was on attracting audiences
and breaking down the barriers that may prevent attendance at
orchestra concerts. KM stated that further work needed to be done
by SASO on widening its potential audience.
The Committee
agreed that rehearsal attendance and punctuality needed to improve.
Some local music societies have strict rules (for example, miss
three rehearsals and you must re-audition). Whilst not wishing to
go this far, SASO does need to encourage its members to attend most
rehearsals, both to maintain performance standards and out of
respect for colleagues who do attend weekly. The policy therefore
will now be as follows: anyone missing three or more rehearsals for
any concert should consult with their section principal or with
Jenny Wigram. Similarly for punctuality, the aim is to understand
the difficulties and try to find ways of solving them.
KM reported that
Hattie Webster had been appointed principal flute. She was to join
SASO in February 2009. CD would become second flute following the
resignation of Theresa Cory. KM and JW reported on further hanges
to personnel in the strings.
The Committee
thanked KM for hosting the meeting.
|
KM
KM |
|
|
Date and venue
of next meeting:
It was agreed
that the next Committee meeting would be provisionally scheduled for
1 March 2009, time and location to be confirmed.
|
|
