In the Springfield Symphony there are some musicians who have tremendous initiative when it comes to community outreach and education. One of them presented a proposal to the board last season to help fund a String Trio for a trip to our sister city in Japan as part of of a cultural exchange. It was a great proposal that already had funding attached. The board approved the funding, the trip happened and it was big success. In the background from some other musicians however there were some jealous rumblings. Not anymore…….
Firstly some perspective:
Music Directors of regional and per-service orchestras know all too well that with having a group of musicians meeting only once or twice month, there can be a disconnect the rest of the time. Whilst the orchestra may be our primary concern, it is only a small component of a musician’s life in terms of their income and time commitment. To many (and this is not a bad thing) it is an escape and not work. No doubt there are some advantages to this in terms of attitude and spirit as this might be the only time a musician gets to play the music that they love. However, if we are trying to establish the orchestra as a relevant and meaningful entity, it is unreasonable to expect much volunteer time from a musician to get involved in the orchestra’s outreach goals. If they need to focus on their main job, we cannot fault them for that. We have come up with something.
When the proposal for the Japan trip surfaced, I sensed some jealousy, as this musician had put together successful proposals before. The perception was that others were being left out. I lobbied for the proposal to pass because it showed tremendous initiative and it was such a unique cultural exchange involving us in outreach in a very profound (and global) way. A work was written by a Springfield composer Dr. John Prescott to be premiered in Japan. Nevertheless, there were those rumblings. There are some who would be nervous to stand in front of a board and ask for something. Someone might have good a good idea but they are not comfortable asking. Some might even find the board intimidating.
To combat this a musician on the orchestra committee and myself came up with an idea almost simultaneously, it is called:
The Musicians Initiative Fund
Primarily it is a fund available to the musicians to apply to for the purposes of starting outreach programs and/or to enhance existing programs they are already involved with. If a program proves successful and is sustainable then the orchestra will look to continue the program and make it part of the orchestra’s outreach and/or education program. There are three deadlines throughout the season to submit proposals.
Another important purpose of the fund, is to provide discretionary money to young musicians who cannot afford instrument rental, uniforms, music etc.. We can’t possibly know what is going on in all of the schools, but many of the musicians teach in these schools, and when they run across a situation, they now have a way to be able to help. The money for discretionary purposes is awarded on a case by case basis with no deadlines.
The key to the fund which also helps to take out the intimidation factor is that once the board sets the amount (this year it is $5000), they simply give control of it to the musicians. The musicians form their own grant committee to judge each proposal, they create the application forms and they decide how to distribute the funds. The board and myself will only hear reports on the projects, and then at the end of the season the board will determine next year’s amount. This way it is colleagues talking to colleagues and it is a win win for absolutely everyone. The board has also challenged the musicians: if they use the fund entirely they will consider adding to it before this season is over. There is a young home schooled Cellist who can’t afford to rent an instrument but still attends orchestra. He now has a Cello. A veterans home 40 miles away is going to have a visit from a string trio and there will be many projects, the fund has only just started this season.
The possibilities are endless, the value of this outreach is priceless. It is also proving to be a relationship builder between the musicians and the board, the musicians and the community and most importantly it keeps them connected and involved in our ongoing community outreach mission. Jealousy has been replaced with excitement and camaraderie. For me it is the most exciting and important thing we are doing and I am proud to say that I have nothing to do with it! Power to the musicians!
PS: We didn’t apply for a grant for this, we just decided to do it, and interest has already been expressed in helping to sustain it for the future.
Ron, thank you for the post. The social and financial inequities in public school music programs is scandalous, and programs such as the one you have initiated with your musicians are badly needed and much appreciated. Disadvantaged children are not able to provide even the most basic equipment, and we are missing the opportunity to encourage talented kids. Thanks to the caring musicians of the Springfield Symphony! Other arts groups and individuals need to follow suit.
Jeff Carney
Jeff Carney