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MIDLAND CONCERT BAND

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

June, 2008 Financial Report

Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Location: Gary Burgess’ Home

Present: Gary Burgess, Ellen Peden, William Kern, Stephanie Gessford, Mark Brissette, Lisa Vincent, and David McLeod

Absent: Greg Bovid, Robert Adams, and Pat Dupuis

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM.

The minutes from the January 21, 2008 meeting had been sent to board members via e-mail, and were posted on our web site, so they were not read at the meeting. They were approved after correcting two sentences at the end of the minutes. The corrected sentences are: ‘Ellen and Mark will look into getting on the calendar of events on Midland’s TV channel, advertising on WMPX and getting a wrap in the Midland Daily News the Sunday before our concert. The next board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, at the home of Gary Burgess.’

Most of the meeting was devoted to reviewing all the scholarship applications that Stephanie Gessford had received. There were seven flute players applying for the Pam Rowe scholarship. Three of the remaining six were chosen for a MCB scholarship. There were ten applicants for a MCB scholarship. One of them was picked for the Kathy Garrett Scholarship. Five of the remaining nine were chosen for a MCB scholarship. There were no applicants from Dow High School. After reviewing each applicant’s musical ability, participation in school music groups. musical leadership, and letters of recommendation from their band, orchestra, or private music teachers, the following winners were chosen:

MCB Scholarships:
Mina Hami – flute – 11th Grade – Midland High School
Elizabeth Nigro – Trumpet – 11th Grade -- Midland High School
Sydney Williams – Trombone – 10th Grade – Midland High School
Maggie MacDonald – Flute – 9th Grade – Midland High School
Alaina Vouaux -- Flute – 11th Grade -- Midland High School
Bethany Donat – Flute – 11th Grade – Midland High School
Kelsey Stark – Oboe – 9th Grade -- Bullock Creek High School
Chris Monroe -- French Horn – 9th Grade – Midland High School

Pamela Rowe Scholarship
Freddie Parker – Flute – 11th Grade – Bullock Creek High School

Kathy Garrett Scholarship
Jonny Young – Base Clarinet – 10th Grade – Midland High school

Other Matters:

Ellen Peden got the band on the calendar of events on the WNEM and WEYI television channels. She checked on getting the band advertised on the MCTV channel and learned that it cost $25 and someone had to go to the Library to take care of paper work. Stephanie Gessford volunteered to do this. Ellen talked to the WMPX radio station and they will begin advertising our band concerts. Ellen could not get The Center For The Arts to advertise our concerts on the electronic scroll outdoors nor in their publications like the “Center” brochure. That is because we are not a member organization. Ellen also worked with the Midland Daily News on a full page (Wrap) advertisement of the band. It included photos of our guest conductor, Matthew Shepard, the German Connection and Gary Burgess. It was to be published on Sunday, February 24, the Sunday before our March 2 concert.

Ellen stressed the importance of having regular board meetings.

Ellen said that a lot of percussion instruments have disappeared and we need a better way of identifying and storing them.

Discussion continued on how to get more attendance at our concerts. Mark Brissette prepared a MCB survey form to get band members input. A suggestion was made to consider one time offering a free ticket for the purchase of one or two. Dave McLeod expressed his feeling that members do not seem to be very enthusiastic about the band. We don’t seem to make the effort to sell tickets. Gary said that he plans on our playing some Disney tunes at the May concert. Stephanie suggested having a kid’s music time, and having them dress up as their favorite Disney character. Gary is also planning on having a French horn soloist perform at our May concert.

The time and place of the next board meeting is yet to be determined.

The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. to enjoy a most delicious desert made by Ellen.

Respectfully submitted,

William Kern, Secretary

Date:     Monday, January 21, 2008

Location:  Greg Bovid’s Home

Present:  Greg Bovid, Ellen Peden, William Kern, Stephanie Gessford, Mark Brissette, Lisa Vincent, and Pat Dupuis  

Absent: Gary Burgess, Robert Adams and David McLeod           

Greg Bovid called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM.  

The minutes from the November 8, 2007 meeting had been sent to board members via e-mail, and were posted on our web site, so they were not read at the meeting.  They were approved as sent.  

Lisa Vincent gave the Treasurer’s Report.  Income for September – December, 2007 was reported at $14,020; well on the way to budgeted income for the 2007-2008 season of $29,300.  A couple of notes, however, include that ticket sales are down compared to prior year through the same time period and contributions are up due to the generous contribution made by Stan Rowe on behalf of Pam.  Expenses for September – December, 2007 were reported at $9,958.  Netted against income, this resulted in net income of $4,063 for the same time period.  However, it should be noted that auditorium and publicity expenses related to the December concert had not been all received by the end of December and will be reflected in future months’ statements and balances.  Bank balance at 12/31/07 was reported as $21,758 and the money market account at year-end reflected a balance of $21,605. Greg said that he would write a letter seeking a contribution from the Alden Dow Foundation; the letter must be received by February1.  

Stephanie reported that Stan Rowe said that the Midland Foundation would like to know the procedure for how we select scholarship winners as part of the establishment of Pam Rowe’s scholarship.  She will tell Stan or the Midland Foundation that the board selects the scholarship winners after reviewing their musical ability, participation in school music groups. musical leadership, and letters of recommendation from their band, orchestra, or private music teachers.  

Stephanie will be visiting schools with scholarship applications to be returned by February 16, 2008.  The board members will be reviewing applications via e-mail as they come in, and will meet on February 21^st to discuss and select winners.  Scholarship winners will be notified on February 25.  $2700 has been budgeted for the scholarships.  With $300 for a conductor’s award and $300 for the Kathy Garrett award, we could have 7 $300 scholarships. The board suggested adopting a policy of one year as a time limit for using the award.  In addition there will be the $500 Pam Rowe scholarship.  

Other Matters:  

Mark brought up the concern about concert attendance gradually going down.  Everyone is concerned and there was much discussion about what to do.  Discussion topics included: more challenging music, more variety in our music, how to interact and connect with audience, length of our concerts, more extensive advertising, and ticket selling contest.  

Mark will prepare a survey for band members to fill out as to what kind of music they would prefer.  There was a suggestion that whoever in the band sells the most tickets gets to pick one music selection.  It was suggested that concert themes not be put on the tickets, rather just Fall, Holiday, Winter, and Spring concerts.  This would allow more flexibility in programming.  It was thought that we should have an encore prepared for every concert – perhaps a little less music and play an encore.   

Ellen thought we should be advertised at The Center For The Arts and in their publications.  We realize that we are not a member organization, but we do perform in the auditorium there. Ellen and Mark will look into getting on the calendar of events on Midland’s TV channel, advertising on WMPX as well as WCMU, and getting a wrap in the Midland Daily News the Sunday before our concert.    

The next board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, at the home of Mark.  Ellen volunteered to bring desert.  

The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. to enjoy a most delicious desert made by Lisa.  

Respectfully submitted,  

William Kern, Secretary