Klarinet Archive - Posting 000116.txt from 2007/06

From: "Keith Bowen" <bowenk@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Community groups - membership fee?
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:28:25 -0400

Lee Ann,

The situation is very different in the USA and UK, so I don't think one
should be judgemental about the fund raising talents of the directors. Nor
do the experiences of one country transfer easily to the other.

I co-founded a community orchestra while living in the USA (Lone Tree
Symphony, CO). Within three years we were obtaining a regular income from
city government and donations of some $25,000 a year, which covered costs,
the conductor etc nicely. A condition of the grant was that concerts were
free. We requested donations at each concert, usually got several $100 and
once got a check for $500 on the spot. The philanthropic tradition - and the
amount of spare cash in the concert-going groups - are both much greater in
the USA.

Back in the UK, I chair a pro-am orchestra (Spires Philharmonic, Coventry).
We have set the dues for the amateurs at a similar level to local amateur
orchestras. Some examples have already been given, but we found the average
was about $100 (UKL50) per annum. Concerts are rarely free, but do not raise
enough on their own to cover costs.

Even the very best amateur orchestras in the UK have little access to local
or national public funds, other than as a one-off or possibly a start-up
grant. And you cannot rely on a one-off for income. The judgement is usually
severely on quality. And these are orchestras that are often very good,
because of the high population density. The ten or so amateur orchestras in
the UK Midlands can actually draw on a population equivalent to the sum of,
say, CO, NM, UT, AZ, MT and NV.

Philanthropy and donations do exist of course, but not on the (absolute)
scale of the USA, especially in the arts. When people think of charitable
giving they more often think about Oxfam, their church or relief of poverty
either at home or abroad.

I don't feel demeaned by paying to play. I would feel demeaned by asking for
money through fundraising or grants if I and other members have not made
some financial effort ourselves. My time is indeed being given free, but
playing the clarinet is one of the things I want to do with my life.

Virtually all such organizations do of course have concessionary rates for
students, retired, etc.

Cultures and circumstances differ. No need to judge either way.

Keith Bowen

-----Original Message-----
From: klarinet-return-91035-bowenk=compuserve.com@-----.org
[mailto:klarinet-return-91035-bowenk=compuserve.com@-----.org] On Behalf
Of hns692@-----.com
Sent: 18 June 2007 23:09
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: Re: [kl] Community groups - membership fee?

I've not ever paid to play in a community band/orchestra group. I would
not, either. The problem is that I have a horn to maintain and any
attendant
supplies, etc. My time is being given free. If one has to pay to play,
there
is probably lack of fund raising talent in the director or governing board
(and knowing how to scrounge music and the like). I've played in bands who
are
funded either by the municipality that is the primary practice residence or

has some historic significance -- e.g., an ongoing city band, or through a
fee collected by the band for playing for municipalities -- particularly in

their summer in-the-park programs. Beyond that, we give one large concert
a
year that is ticketed gig and in a historic renovated theatre -- the
members
show up, but do not pay. The tickets fund the theatre rental and any
remainder
goes into the general band coffers. None of the ticketed performances has
NOT been sold out. The others are attended full to overflowing other times
of
the year (except the in-the-park summer series that aren't played on our
home
grounds). Besides summer, we play once a month -- free -- year-'round. To

me, paying to play for a group is demeaning of my time and talent. Get
creative, huh?

Lee Ann Hansen
Principal Eb Clarinet
First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band
_hns692@-----.com)
_www.sousaband.net_ (http://www.sousaband.net)

************************************** See what's free at
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