Artistic Update
Report to the Cantus Board of Directors from Karl Reichert – 6/23/16
I regret missing our Board meeting on Monday. We have a benefit that night for Textile Center. However, work has been progressing on the artistic front, thanks to the good work of our Singers and Staff! Special thanks to them all for getting season tickets on sale this week!
Here’s a quick list of updates on what I’ve been assisting with the past few weeks:
Romeo & Juliet
Earlier this week I shared the news with our Romeo and Juliet (R and J) partners that Jocey Hale has joined Cantus as the interim executive director. Hillary Hart from the Guthrie sent a nice note to Jocey, and work is underway to set dates for Spring 2018 performances at the Guthrie.
Also, as I mentioned at our special meeting last week, Trish Santini and her partner Frank Butler of Mainspring Arts Cooperative are very interested in serving as producers for R and J, and they will be sending us a draft proposal next week. This work would include establishing a multi-year project budget, setting up final agreements with our partners, providing fundraising support, and working to set the production up for touring after the premiere at the Guthrie. Trish says there could be two options for touring: a full theatrical production or a concert version.
Jocey has been in touch with our pro-bono lawyer who specializes in intellectual property, Bryan James Mechell, and we will ask him to review the proposal from Mainspring Arts Cooperative. Both Trish and Frank understand that we have a very tight cash situation, and we discussed the need for a fee structure where more of their compensation would come later in the project.
I also spoke with Rob Robbins of Alliance Artist Management earlier this week, giving him an update about R and J. He said this production and the Guthrie collaboration would elevate Cantus’ profile significantly for national bookings.
The good news is that R and J is on track now for a Spring 2018 premiere at the Guthrie.
Self Bookings
The Artistic Council and I met with David Clarke of Normandale Lutheran in Edina and composer Cary John Franklin on Tuesday, and Cantus is now booked for a concert 4 pm, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. The fee will be $5,000. The concert will include a performance of a new work by Cary, commissioned by Normandale Lutheran. Steve Staruch of MPR will host a panel discussion with the Singers of Cantus. This event will be open to the public.
Press Representation
I’ve been assisting the Staff during this interim with our two press representatives: Rebecca Davis on the national front and Anne Ulseth here in the Twin Cities. We’re discussing their involvement with Cantus in the new fiscal year. Rebecca has submitted a proposal that would begin August 1. No agreements have been made, and the budgeting process will inform what level of engagement we will be able to afford in the new fiscal year.
I regret missing our Board meeting on Monday. We have a benefit that night for Textile Center. However, work has been progressing on the artistic front, thanks to the good work of our Singers and Staff! Special thanks to them all for getting season tickets on sale this week!
Here’s a quick list of updates on what I’ve been assisting with the past few weeks:
Romeo & Juliet
Earlier this week I shared the news with our Romeo and Juliet (R and J) partners that Jocey Hale has joined Cantus as the interim executive director. Hillary Hart from the Guthrie sent a nice note to Jocey, and work is underway to set dates for Spring 2018 performances at the Guthrie.
Also, as I mentioned at our special meeting last week, Trish Santini and her partner Frank Butler of Mainspring Arts Cooperative are very interested in serving as producers for R and J, and they will be sending us a draft proposal next week. This work would include establishing a multi-year project budget, setting up final agreements with our partners, providing fundraising support, and working to set the production up for touring after the premiere at the Guthrie. Trish says there could be two options for touring: a full theatrical production or a concert version.
Jocey has been in touch with our pro-bono lawyer who specializes in intellectual property, Bryan James Mechell, and we will ask him to review the proposal from Mainspring Arts Cooperative. Both Trish and Frank understand that we have a very tight cash situation, and we discussed the need for a fee structure where more of their compensation would come later in the project.
I also spoke with Rob Robbins of Alliance Artist Management earlier this week, giving him an update about R and J. He said this production and the Guthrie collaboration would elevate Cantus’ profile significantly for national bookings.
The good news is that R and J is on track now for a Spring 2018 premiere at the Guthrie.
Self Bookings
The Artistic Council and I met with David Clarke of Normandale Lutheran in Edina and composer Cary John Franklin on Tuesday, and Cantus is now booked for a concert 4 pm, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. The fee will be $5,000. The concert will include a performance of a new work by Cary, commissioned by Normandale Lutheran. Steve Staruch of MPR will host a panel discussion with the Singers of Cantus. This event will be open to the public.
Press Representation
I’ve been assisting the Staff during this interim with our two press representatives: Rebecca Davis on the national front and Anne Ulseth here in the Twin Cities. We’re discussing their involvement with Cantus in the new fiscal year. Rebecca has submitted a proposal that would begin August 1. No agreements have been made, and the budgeting process will inform what level of engagement we will be able to afford in the new fiscal year.