Artistic Council & Education Outreach Reports
Communications – Paul Scholtz
Cantus Activities Week by Week
Communication highlights
Programming – Chris Foss
We are in the midst of programming the fall show with Sweet Honey in the Rock. We have plans to meet up with them and film a video to publicize the show while in Pella, IA next week. We will also discuss repertoire options and rehearsal schedule then.
We have finalized drafts for 3 shows that we will tour during the 18-19 concert season… Fall, Christmas, and Spring. This is the earliest we’ve delivered these to AAM, and also the most touring options we’ve had available in the group’s history, so hopefully this will mean more possibilities for bookings at higher fees!
A small group has completed a semi-final draft of the spring 2018 show “For the Beauty of the Earth”. The whole company will approve the draft in the coming weeks.
We had a successful run of the chamber concert series “Songs of Travel”. Overall audience reaction seemed positive, and ticket sales were almost entirely at capacity for both venues. We are planning to repeat the concert series next year in a similar-type show, with more concerts and locations. The theme for next year will include the Great American songbook, as well as focusing on immigrant or first generation perspectives.
The group is also in the final stages of planning concert themes and sample rep for our 19-20 touring season. We will meet next week and decide our final pitches for Fall, Christmas, and Spring touring concepts and working titles.
We now have an updated schedule for delivery of touring materials to AAM, a full two weeks to a month earlier than previous. We also have an updated materials delivery update to Rebecca Davis PR, in order to facilitate more in-depth PR for the press on our touring shows.
The programs for the different legs of the Asia Tour, after lots of back and forth between presenters, have been finalized!!! Hopefully this will be the first of many experiences in that part of the world for Cantus.
Education Outreach Coordinator – Sam Green
National Outreach
Cantus provided a Lecture Demonstration at the Chautauqua Institute in late June. It was an intimate setting with just a handful of adult learners. The Chautauqua Institute charged admission for the session. While the attendance was modest, the participants were very actively engaged in the Lec/Dem. The mature audience also enriched the Q&A session that sometimes goes awry with a student audience. We were also able to directly engage and take more risks with participants, and the outcome was enjoyable for all involved.
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.
Cantus Activities Week by Week
- June 25 - NGLTT Tour (Chautauqua, NY); Songs of Travel Rehearsal
- July 2 - EPK Video Shoot (promotion for Alone Together ’18-’19 touring show); SOT rehearsal
- July 9 - SOT rehearsal; Plymouth Summer Series concert; NGLTT Tour (Brownville, NE)
- July 16 - SOT dress rehearsal; Songs of Travel Performances (Museum of Russian Art and American Swedish Institute)
Communication highlights
- Joey and Paul met with MPR about Sweet Honey Orchestra Hall concert promotion and possible livestream.
- Joey and Paul met with Brad Althoff from American Public Media about possible radio specials this year (Thanksgiving with Cantus or others).
- In correspondence to try and meet up with Sweet Honey when both groups are in Pella, IA, on July 26th.
Programming – Chris Foss
We are in the midst of programming the fall show with Sweet Honey in the Rock. We have plans to meet up with them and film a video to publicize the show while in Pella, IA next week. We will also discuss repertoire options and rehearsal schedule then.
We have finalized drafts for 3 shows that we will tour during the 18-19 concert season… Fall, Christmas, and Spring. This is the earliest we’ve delivered these to AAM, and also the most touring options we’ve had available in the group’s history, so hopefully this will mean more possibilities for bookings at higher fees!
A small group has completed a semi-final draft of the spring 2018 show “For the Beauty of the Earth”. The whole company will approve the draft in the coming weeks.
We had a successful run of the chamber concert series “Songs of Travel”. Overall audience reaction seemed positive, and ticket sales were almost entirely at capacity for both venues. We are planning to repeat the concert series next year in a similar-type show, with more concerts and locations. The theme for next year will include the Great American songbook, as well as focusing on immigrant or first generation perspectives.
The group is also in the final stages of planning concert themes and sample rep for our 19-20 touring season. We will meet next week and decide our final pitches for Fall, Christmas, and Spring touring concepts and working titles.
We now have an updated schedule for delivery of touring materials to AAM, a full two weeks to a month earlier than previous. We also have an updated materials delivery update to Rebecca Davis PR, in order to facilitate more in-depth PR for the press on our touring shows.
The programs for the different legs of the Asia Tour, after lots of back and forth between presenters, have been finalized!!! Hopefully this will be the first of many experiences in that part of the world for Cantus.
Education Outreach Coordinator – Sam Green
National Outreach
Cantus provided a Lecture Demonstration at the Chautauqua Institute in late June. It was an intimate setting with just a handful of adult learners. The Chautauqua Institute charged admission for the session. While the attendance was modest, the participants were very actively engaged in the Lec/Dem. The mature audience also enriched the Q&A session that sometimes goes awry with a student audience. We were also able to directly engage and take more risks with participants, and the outcome was enjoyable for all involved.
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.