Artistic Council & Education Outreach Reports
Production – Zac Colby
After a successful rattling of cages with America Will Be! we are happy to moving on to our end of season projects. Singers are busy finishing up arrangements of their pieces for Covers and after a quick tour to the east coast we will be back and ready to rehearse. We are also excitedly putting together our songs for Cantus Idol to raise some serious dough.
Programming – Chris Foss
As the America Will Be concert series has come to a close, we’ve received feedback of a more specific nature this round. With such great information (both positive and constructive), the group is currently designing a feedback process for more extensive evaluation than usual. I can give more updates about that process during the board meeting, but ultimately, more honest information and feedback is always better, and will lead to better and more fulfilling programs in the future.
Connection was finally made (after repeated attempts) with our new contact at Eone. They are interested in negotiating the sale of the master of the recording project we did for them last summer, since they’ve closed down their classical label. We now need to decide if we want to release the album ourselves, or shop the album around for a sale to a different label.
Covers arrangements have come back, and the singers will start rehearsing next week with flex time and normal rehearsal.
We completed a segment for the teaser trailer of the WWI Documentary series produced by Alan Sands. The project’s schedule has been delayed, but we will deliver the master recordings and tracks for payment when requested.
Education Outreach – Sam Green
High School Residency
One final school visit remains on April 25, and following that, our culminating concert on Friday April 28 at Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina. The concert begins at 7:30pm, and we expect a large crowd of parents and other community members! To help a little with cash flow, we are hoping to sell t-shirts that were unclaimed from our festival day. Tickets are $10 for adults/seniors and $5 for students/children. We would love to see you there!
In talks with the engagement committee, we want to include HSR students at Cantus Idol following the final concert. The current plan is to reprise our combined piece, “Shenandoah”, with a small select group of students during the evening. We hope to make this a staple of the Cantus HSR experience, and will plan it moving forward for next year’s schools.
Twin Cities Outreach
Thanks to a tip from Kylie Foss, we have scheduled our first ever outreach event with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities. EXPLORE Careers is an opportunity for BBBS “Littles and Bigs” (Matches) to learn about careers. The interactive event will take place on Thursday, May 18 at Westminster Presbyterian, and will be similar to an open rehearsal format. In addition to observing the artist led rehearsal, BBBS is providing a meal, and Carly Thornberry will also give insight into arts advocacy and administration, so that the Matches can get a behind the scenes look at multiple career opportunities in the arts. We are very excited for this new Outreach opportunity!
Spread the word that Cantus offers a variety of educational outreach opportunities locally and around the country each year. If you know educators/organizations interested in working with us, refer them to education@cantussings.org, or contact Sam at sgreen@cantussings.org.