FY16 March Executive Director Report

Mary Lee
March 28, 2016
 
 
Jodi Davis consultant
  • Jodi Davis has been hired by Cantus to help with “building trust, enhancing collaboration and communication, and understanding best practices that will allow the Artists and the Executive Director to work more effectively as a unified team in the best interest of the organization. “
  • Jodi has had a 1-hour individual phone call with Mary and each singer.
  • On Tuesday, March 29, she will meet with Mary and the ensemble for a facilitated conversation about findings.
  • A final report will be provided to the ED and artists with a summary of information gleaned through the interview process as well as notes from the facilitated discussion, including agreed upon directions forward.
 
National bookings and national publicity
  • Currently we are at $242,900 for confirmed bookings in FY17 on a goal of $390,000 including an appearance at the Metropolitan Museum of New York. This will be our third consecutive year in NY.
  • A booking meeting is scheduled with AAM in the coming week to discuss progress toward FY17 goal.
 
Chorus America Dale Warland Singers Award
  • Chorus America has chosen Cantus and composer Gabriel Kahane for its Dale Warland Singers Commissioning Award. The award is a grant of $5000, an amount that covers he the composer’s fee (exactly). We hope that one of our singers (Chris Foss or Matt Goinz) will be able to attend the conference to receive the award in person at the conference in June.
  • The work will be premiered with the “Discovery of Sight” program in 17/18.
 
Cantus/Chanticleer
  • Contracts with Chanticleer and Orchestra Hall are likely to be signed in early April. Still talking with OrchHall about some minor matters. October 3, 2016 is the date to hold on your calendar!
 
Foundation/Government grants
  • McKnight site visit scheduled for 3.28.16
  • Athwin site visit scheduled for 3.23.16
  • Fredrikson & Byron Foundation awarded Cantus $1000. (Thank you Jim!)
 
Westminster
  • The church has formally approved the construction of the new wing.
  • Because of construction, rehearsal space for Cantus may have to move around for the next 18 months.
 
Parking
  • A reminder that the Westminster lot will not be available to us after April 21. Joey has prepared a review of local parking options. Staff and singers will be responsible for their own parking and/or metro needs until the new building is finished.  
 
HR
  • April 1 is the deadline for returning singers to make their commitments. The ensemble has met to review audition candidates and should be ready to identify new singers if needed.