Artistic Council and Education Outreach Reports
| 5._artistic_council___education_outreach_reports.pdf |
Programming – Chris Foss
We have just recently collected the last round of pieces for Xmas 2018 (Lessons and Carols for Our Time). In the next month, we will draft and finalize the program with order, and work to incorporate readings of poetry and prose.
Due to the success and positive feedback from audiences both on the road and at home, we are exploring continuing the storytelling format for Xmas 2019. We are currently looking for new tales to (possibly) use, and we’ll make the ultimate decision of title and concept in early summer. We’ll then deliver new sales materials to AAM later in the summer.
Songs My Mother Taught Me (summer chamber series) is 85% programmed, and will be finalized by our next meeting (May 1). We’ll then distribute music for learning and rehearsal beginning in mid June.
After recent discussion, we’ve moved to expand our search for next year’s covers album (2019). As our last three featured artists have been white and almost entirely male, we will be focusing on bringing more diversity to our album choices moving forward. We look to choose an album for 2019 and announce with the season announcement scheduled for June 1.
I’ve continued the conversation with Libby Larsen about the text for the upcoming commission for next year’s fall touring show (Alone Together). Libby has asked the poet Rupi Kaur for permission to set some of her poems to music for the work. Libby is currently awaiting a response.
Covers arrangements have been assigned and are due after the Easter break. Vocal charts will be edited and distributed for rehearsals starting in late April.
We also have a contract with Lorelei, so we will begin the process of programming the show. I’ll be reaching out to their artistic director Beth Willer shortly to start the ball rolling.
Communications – Paul Scholtz
Cantus Activities Week by Week
Operations/Production – Zac Colby
Cantus has been busy preparing for For the Beauty of the Earth and finishing up our audition processes. We were really encouraged by a wealth of applicants this year who came well prepared and eager. More news on that as things progress later in the spring. We are also working on putting the details on our MSAB Access Project with StreetSong-MN. You can find the performance times listed below, this performance is dedicated for people experiencing homelessness, however we are happy to have you attend and maybe even bring a potential donor/supporter to see the great work we are doing.
Education Outreach – Sam Green
High School Residency
On Tuesday March 20, we wrapped up HSR for the 17-18 school year. The concert was an overall success, however, there were fewer audience members than last year. My thought is it that the roads were a little tricky with some fresh snow after a couple weeks of thaw, and the school with the highest enrollment (New Prague) is nearly an hour away. We hope to continue our partnership with Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina if their fee is agreeable for years to come.
National Outreach
During our March tour, we led 6 masterclasses in Schenectady, NY, one masterclass in New York City, and presented 4 school concerts in Edgerton, Wisconsin. Matt Goinz and I suggested to Rob Robbins that even though the school concerts are a little less taxing than a full show, considerations should be made to increase our fee for this type of outreach. A 60-minute masterclass costs the same as a 60-minute school show, when in reality, a school show asks much more of the ensemble in regards to voice points on the road, and also the content which we provide.
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.
We have just recently collected the last round of pieces for Xmas 2018 (Lessons and Carols for Our Time). In the next month, we will draft and finalize the program with order, and work to incorporate readings of poetry and prose.
Due to the success and positive feedback from audiences both on the road and at home, we are exploring continuing the storytelling format for Xmas 2019. We are currently looking for new tales to (possibly) use, and we’ll make the ultimate decision of title and concept in early summer. We’ll then deliver new sales materials to AAM later in the summer.
Songs My Mother Taught Me (summer chamber series) is 85% programmed, and will be finalized by our next meeting (May 1). We’ll then distribute music for learning and rehearsal beginning in mid June.
After recent discussion, we’ve moved to expand our search for next year’s covers album (2019). As our last three featured artists have been white and almost entirely male, we will be focusing on bringing more diversity to our album choices moving forward. We look to choose an album for 2019 and announce with the season announcement scheduled for June 1.
I’ve continued the conversation with Libby Larsen about the text for the upcoming commission for next year’s fall touring show (Alone Together). Libby has asked the poet Rupi Kaur for permission to set some of her poems to music for the work. Libby is currently awaiting a response.
Covers arrangements have been assigned and are due after the Easter break. Vocal charts will be edited and distributed for rehearsals starting in late April.
We also have a contract with Lorelei, so we will begin the process of programming the show. I’ll be reaching out to their artistic director Beth Willer shortly to start the ball rolling.
Communications – Paul Scholtz
Cantus Activities Week by Week
- February 25 - Westminster Sunday Services; Discovery of Sight Performances at St. Andrew’s in Mahtomedi and Westminster Presbyterian; For the Beauty of the Earth Rehearsal
- March 4 - High School Residency Visit #3; DOS Tour (North Andover, MA - canceled by presenter due to weather; Geneva, NY)
- March 11 - DOS Tour (Schenectady, NY; Collegiate School, NYC; Edgerton, WI)
- March 18 - Private Idol Performance; HSR Final Concert; FTB Rehearsal
- Exploring a performance with Westminster Town Hall Forum
- Nearing contract with Lorelei Ensemble
- Working with American Public Media to potentially record our spring show
Operations/Production – Zac Colby
Cantus has been busy preparing for For the Beauty of the Earth and finishing up our audition processes. We were really encouraged by a wealth of applicants this year who came well prepared and eager. More news on that as things progress later in the spring. We are also working on putting the details on our MSAB Access Project with StreetSong-MN. You can find the performance times listed below, this performance is dedicated for people experiencing homelessness, however we are happy to have you attend and maybe even bring a potential donor/supporter to see the great work we are doing.
- Monday, May 7- Downtown Minneapolis Central Library- Pohlad Hall- 2:30 PM
- Wednesday, May 16- St. Paul- George Latimer Central Library- Magazine Room- 2:30 PM
Education Outreach – Sam Green
High School Residency
On Tuesday March 20, we wrapped up HSR for the 17-18 school year. The concert was an overall success, however, there were fewer audience members than last year. My thought is it that the roads were a little tricky with some fresh snow after a couple weeks of thaw, and the school with the highest enrollment (New Prague) is nearly an hour away. We hope to continue our partnership with Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina if their fee is agreeable for years to come.
National Outreach
During our March tour, we led 6 masterclasses in Schenectady, NY, one masterclass in New York City, and presented 4 school concerts in Edgerton, Wisconsin. Matt Goinz and I suggested to Rob Robbins that even though the school concerts are a little less taxing than a full show, considerations should be made to increase our fee for this type of outreach. A 60-minute masterclass costs the same as a 60-minute school show, when in reality, a school show asks much more of the ensemble in regards to voice points on the road, and also the content which we provide.
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.