2012 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Wednesday, June 13

Transcription

1 Wednesday, June 13 11:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Registration Open Ticket Exchange Table Open CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 1 Minnesota Room Radisson Plaza Hotel 35 South 7 th Street Pick up your Conference notebook and tote bag. Exchange your Opening Night Concert voucher for a reserved ticket at the Ticket Exchange table. 11:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Buttonhole and Dine-Around Sign Up Open Minnesota Room 5:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Conference Store Open Do you have burning questions that you d love to have answered by a chorus industry leader? Do you want insight that delves into detail beyond the Conference sessions? Sign up for one of our most popular Conference offerings: Buttonholes. Buttonholes are 20-minute, one-on-one private consultations with experts including artistic and executive directors, foundation executives, arts consultants, and Chorus America board members who volunteer their time to be available to our attendees. For details on Buttonholes, please see the About Buttonhole Consultations document that follows this schedule. Dine-Arounds provide delegates with another opportunity to network. During the Conference, you can sign up to share a meal with a small group of peers in one of the many wonderful, near-by restaurants. Some Dine- Arounds will have a specific conversation topic assigned while others will be a gathering of peers. Group size is capped at 10 people and each person is responsible for their own meal expenses. For details on Dine-Arounds, see the About Dine-Arounds document that follows this schedule. At the Conference Store, you can buy member CDs to help support Chorus America or purchase copies of our best-selling publications, The Chorus ership Guide and Conductors Count. 11:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. Donor Table Open Denmark Commons We invite you to take part in Chorus America s Conference Campaign. Visit the Donor Table to make a gift to support Chorus America s work on behalf of the choral field. Everyone who makes a gift to Chorus America will receive a token of our thanks either a mouse pad, a stainless steel water bottle, or a polo shirt! 12:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Exhibit Area Open Denmark Commons Businesses catering to the choral community are at your fingertips stop by and learn more from our exhibitors. More information about each organization is available in the Exhibitor & Directory. 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. In-Depth Seminars These pre-conference sessions are available for an additional fee of $70. Please ask about availability at Registration. Effective, Satisfying and Sustainable ership: An Interactive Workshop Norway 1 This seminar will be highly participatory and include the differing perspectives of administrative and artistic directors, board members, and other volunteers. Participants will gain an understanding of the importance of clarity of purpose and values as well as strategies and behaviors that build trust and confidence with board, administrative and artistic staff, and volunteers. Session elements will include: Effective ership: This enables the accomplishment of common goals in a manner consistent with shared values. Participants will explore what this means in practice as both leaders and supporters of the leadership of others.

2 Wednesday, June 13 Satisfying ership: What makes the work of leading satisfying both to the people providing leadership as well as to those being led? Participants will discover the relationship between satisfaction and accomplishment and how their actions can improve the quality of both the process and outcome of their work. Sustainable ership: Organizations require sustained leadership, not just bursts of brilliance. Nurturing energy, creativity, and commitment is critical to the ongoing vitality of individuals and organizations. Participants will learn about the less obvious causes of burnout and the strategies they can use to sustain individual and organizational health. Introduction: Catherine Peterson*, executive director, ArtsBoston Presenter: Ronnie Brooks, founding director, James P. Shannon ership Institute, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Engaging the Future for Choruses: Five Lenses for Exploring Cultural Minneapolis Boardroom Competence As the world becomes more diverse, cultural competency is increasingly understood as a strategic imperative to the success and survival of organizations, including choruses. The problem is that there is no common definition or universal standard to describe what cultural competence is. Each definition has its own approach to helping organizations become more welcoming and inclusive. To address the rich potential and complex challenge of cultural competence, this session will: Introduce you to the five lenses approach to cultural competence; Explore how issues of cultural competence can manifest in your own organizations through the use of a case study; Identify your own preferred lens(s) on cultural competence, including each lens s strengths and limitations; and Examine how the five lenses can assist you to begin moving your organization toward greater cultural competence. Introduction: Kelsey Menehan, writer, The Voice and ChorusAmerica.org Presenter: Jim Bonilla, associate professor of conflict studies, Hamline University School of Business Imagine What's Possible: Fundraising Skills and Strategies Norway 2 & 3 Is your chorus seeing an increase in dollars contributed from individuals this year? Is your board fully engaged in helping raise funds from individuals? If you answered no to these questions, attend this interactive, fast-paced session full of tips and strategies to increase fundraising dollars from individual donors and more deeply engage your team. You ll learn about action steps you can implement immediately, take a closer look at how you currently raise funds from individuals, and return to your chorus feeling re-energized about raising funds in a challenging economy. Introduction: Bruce Jackson*, former board president, Master Chorale of Tampa Bay Presenter: Lori L. Jacobwith, communications & fundraising strategist & trainer 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. LDF Meeting (by invitation) Oslo Boardroom CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 2

3 Wednesday, June 13 12:45 p.m. Walk to St. Olaf Catholic Church for Conducting Masterclass Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Conducting Masterclass Fleming Hall, St. Olaf Catholic Church 215 South 8 th Street Conference delegates are invited to observe four selected Conducting Fellows as they are coached by Kathy Saltzman Romey and Anton Armstrong while rehearsing several 19th-century Romantic sacred and secular works, both accompanied and a cappella. Repertoire: Der Abend (Opus 64, #2), Brahms Tota pulchra es Maria, Bruckner Selig sind die reines Herzens sind, Voullaire My Soul There Is a Country from Six Songs of Farewell, Parry Faculty: Kathy Saltzman Romey, artistic director, Minnesota Chorale; director of choral activities, University of Minnesota Anton Armstrong*, Harry R. and Thora Tosdal professor of music, and conductor, The St. Olaf Choir Artists in Residence: Members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, Philip Brunelle*, founder and artistic director Charles Kemper, pianist Conducting Fellows: Jessica Allen Bryson Mortensen George Case IV Daniel D. Black Equipment for the Conducting Masterclass is provided by Wenger Corporation. 2:00 p.m. Walk to Central Lutheran Church for Youth Festival Choir Open Rehearsal Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. Please note that the Open Rehearsal overlaps with the Conducting Masterclass and In- Depth Seminars. 2:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Youth Festival Choir Open Rehearsal Central Lutheran Church Observe Francisco J. Núñez* work his magic with a massed ensemble of singers from five local youth choirs. A highly respected youth choir conductor and a 2011 winner of a MacArthur Fellowship, Núñez will be rehearsing these young singers on challenging repertoire selected for that night's Conference-opening performance. The participating choirs in the Minnesota Youth Choir Consortium are: CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 3

4 Wednesday, June 13 Allegro Choral Academy Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs Minneapolis Youth Chorus Minnesota Boychoir Twin Cities Youth Chorale 4:00 p.m. Return to Radisson Plaza Hotel from Youth Festival Choir Open Rehearsal and Conducting Masterclass Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. 4:30 p.m. 5:15 p.m. Opening Plenary Session: Sing with Garrison Keillor Scandinavian Ballroom Session Host: Gayle M. Ober*, chairman, Chorus America Sing: Garrison Keillor, author, humorist, and host of A Prairie Home Companion Chorus America s 35th Annual Conference kicks off with your favorite radio voice of all time in person! Garrison Keillor will lead us in an extended sing-along to get the Conference started on an above-average note. Plenary Sessions are sponsored by ACFEA Tour Consultants. Morning Sings (even in the afternoon!) are sponsored by Classical Movements. 5:15 p.m. 6:15 p.m. Reception in the Exhibit Area Denmark Commons On the first day of the Conference, this is a great opportunity to visit the exhibits and socialize with our exhibitors and fellow attendees over hors d oeuvres and a glass of wine before heading off to dinner and the Opening Night Concert. The Reception in the Exhibit Area is co-sponsored by The Gothic Catalog and Independent Music Publishers Cooperative. 6:15 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Emerging ers Happy Hour Solera Restaurant 900 Hennepin Ave Chorus leaders age 35 or under (or close!) are invited to raise a glass and rub shoulders with your fellow next generation peers before the Opening Night Concert. Enjoy a delicious meal of Spanish tapas served in a private room (with terrace) at local hotspot Solera and your first drink is free! The Emerging ers Happy Hour is sponsored by Incantato Tours and Chorosynthesis. 6:15 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Dinner On Your Own See the Restaurant List for a selection of restaurants in the area. 7:30 p.m. Walk to Orchestra Hall for the Opening Night Concert Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 4

5 Wednesday, June 13 8:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Opening Night Concert Orchestra Hall 1111 Nicollet Mall Chorus America Conference registrants receive a special discounted ticket price of $30 for premium seating. A voucher for the concert ticket must be exchanged for a reserved seat at the Ticket Exchange Table on Wednesday. The Opening Night Concert will be a celebration of many of Minnesota s fine composers and feature a number of the region s wonderful choruses, including the Minnesota Youth Choir Consortium of more than 200 young singers. The performance will culminate with a new commission from composer Stephen Paulus, sung by a massed choir of the featured ensembles. The Opening Night Concert will be broadcast live on KSJN 91.1FM in the Twin Cities, and available for live streaming on The Opening Night Concert is sponsored by Target, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation, and the General Mills Foundation. The Paulus premiere is commissioned for VocalEssence and Chorus America in honor of the 2012 Chorus America Conference by Classical Movements, Inc. as part of the Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program. Performers: Cantus Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, Michael Culloton, artistic director Magnum Chorum, Christopher Aspaas, artistic director Minnesota Chorale, Kathy Saltzman Romey, artistic director National Lutheran Choir, David Cherwien, artistic director One Voice Mixed Chorus, Jane Ramseyer Miller, artistic director The Singers, Matthew Culloton, founding artistic director VocalEssence Chorus, Philip Brunelle*, founder and artistic director, and Sigrid Johnson, associate conductor Minnesota Youth Choir Consortium, Francisco J. Núñez*, guest conductor; founding artistic director, Young People's Chorus of New York City 10:00 p.m. Return to Radisson Plaza Hotel from Opening Night Concert Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. 10:00 p.m. 11:30 p.m. Opening Night Reception Scandinavian Ballroom The Opening Night Reception always has the feeling of a wonderful family reunion. Even if you are new to the Chorus America family, you are sure to feel right at home at this event, which allows Conference delegates the opportunity to make new friends, renew acquaintances, and network with colleagues immediately following the Opening Night Concert. The Opening Night Reception is sponsored by VocalEssence with support from Carlson. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 5

6 Thursday, June 14 8:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast Denmark Commons Continental breakfasts sponsored by Distinguished Concerts International, New York (DCINY). 8:00 a.m. 5:15 p.m. Registration Open Conference Store Open 8:00 a.m. 5:15 p.m. Exhibit Area Open Donor Table Open Minnesota Room Denmark Commons 9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Plenary Session Scandinavian Ballroom Session Host: Philip Brunelle*, founder and artistic director, VocalEssence Morning Sing: Sigrid Johnson, conductor, St. Olaf College Manitou Singers; associate conductor, VocalEssence Keynote: Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman, Carlson How We Raise Our Voices Matters Marilyn Carlson Nelson is one of Minnesota s most respected business and community leaders. Chairman and former CEO of Carlson, she has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world. Her expanse of experience as a global CEO, nonprofit board leader, wife, mother and grandmother, combined with her strong Minnesota values offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of someone U.S. News & World Report named one of America s Best ers. She will share her perspectives on leadership and her belief that how we lead how we raise our voices has never been more important. Morning Sings are sponsored by Classical Movements. Plenary Sessions are sponsored by ACFEA Tour Consultants. 10:15 a.m. 5:15 p.m. Buttonhole Sign Up Open Dine-Around Sign Up Open Conductor-Composer Speed Dating Sign Up Open Minnesota Room Are you a conductor looking for a great way to get introduced to the music of composers writing today? Sign up for Conductor-Composer Speed Dating! Within each 30-minute speed dating session you will have 3 minutes to exchange information (and scores, perhaps) with 10 conductors/composers. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 6

7 Thursday, June 14 10:30 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions Confronting Bullying Through Music Fjord IV For over a decade One Voice Mixed Chorus (Minnesota s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allies chorus) has collaborated with public schools across Minnesota to provide in-school concerts. Their OUT in our Schools program addresses issues of diversity and homophobia, and confronts bullying through shared rehearsals with students, collaborative concerts, training, and classroom discussion. Join artistic director Jane Ramseyer Miller as she shares the keys to this program s success and identifies ways that school and community choruses can collaborate to share programming, outreach, and resources. Introduction: Joy Douglass*, former faculty, Boston University School of Music Presenter: Jane Ramseyer Miller, artistic director, One Voice Mixed Chorus Creative Direction: Lessons from an Ad Man to Help Your Chorus Stand Out Fjord I & II Branding and differentiation are just as important for chorus leaders and choirs as corporations. In this age of empowering technologies, creativity is paramount. Attend this session to learn creative strategies for strategic development and positioning, messaging and design and execution to drive awareness, ticket sales and audience loyalty. Since 1992, Tim Brunelle has been at the forefront of marketing innovation and storytelling. He is known especially for his nine years helping lead Volkswagen s Drivers wanted campaign in North America. You are sure to discover ways to distinguish your organization from others that are vying for attention from the same audiences. Introduction: Mike McCarthy*, treasurer, Chorus America Presenter: Tim Brunelle, CEO, Hello Viking Ensuring Effective Board Meetings (because that s when governance happens) New Sweden East Good governance is no longer a luxury and board meetings are key to good governance. Designing effective board meetings, ensuring adequate preparation and good conversation, and making sure the board talks about the right things will be the focus of this practical session. You will learn all this and more from proven strategies, and you ll have a great handout to use back home. Introduction: Carole Birkhead*, life member, board of trustees, The Louisville Orchestra Presenter: Moderator: Simone Joyaux, ACFRE, Joyaux Associates Hidden Gems: A Treasure Trove of Recent Choral Riches You ve Never Heard Of Norway 2 & 3 Exciting new and recent works for various types of choral ensembles by emerging and lesser-known American composers are explored in this session curated and moderated by conductor/composer Peter Rutenberg. A panel of conductors will introduce works they have performed, commissioned, and/or helped incubate, using audio-visual examples, with time for Q&A. A more comprehensive repertoire list, including additional recommended works, will be prepared for distribution following the conference. Come discover some of the latest trends in choral music! Introduction: John Alexander*, artistic director, Pacific Chorale Moderator: Peter Rutenberg, founding music director of Los Angeles Chamber Singers & Cappella Contemporary music sessions are sponsored by ASCAP. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 7

8 Thursday, June 14 Cantaré! Increasing Cultural Awareness Through Choral Music New Sweden West This presentation examines the impact of a unique community engagement program called Cantaré!, which places Mexican composers in Minnesota classrooms to serve as composers-in-residence. Since 2008, VocalEssence has connected eight different Mexican composers with more than 20 school, college, and community choruses. Urban, suburban, and rural communities have participated. The composers work directly with the singers and write new choral works specifically for each group. Through!Cantaré!, more than 5,000 people have heard 35 new choral works, commissioned and premiered in community concerts throughout the state. You will learn how to implement this kind of program with your own choir. Specifics will include: Developing a community cultural advisory committee Recruiting schools for a new initiative Selecting composers Temporary work visas how this can be done without paying a lawyer thousands of dollars Challenges in working with immigrant communities Documenting the experience Moderator: Mary Ann Pulk, executive director, VocalEssence Panelists: Jorge Cózatl, artistic director, Concierto Latinoamericano and Choir Kantorei CEDROS-UP Ana Luisa Fajer Flores, Consul of México in Saint Paul Kimberly Meisten, director of community engagement, VocalEssence 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m Lunch On Your Own See the Restaurant List for a selection of restaurants in the area. 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m Annual Meeting & Luncheon Scandinavian Ballroom Ticketed event for an additional fee of $40 per availability. Learn about Chorus America s activities during the past year and exciting plans for the future. Together we will celebrate the many contributions of long-time board members whose terms are ending and welcome Chorus America s new board members. Radio personality Eric Friesen is our guest speaker on The Human Singing Voice in the Age of Twitter. Drawing from his long career as a classical music radio host and producer, Eric will provide a humorous and inspiring reflection on the power of music to connect us in an age of increasing isolation. Presenter: Eric Friesen, radio personality from CBC Radio and Minnesota Public Radio The Annual Meeting & Luncheon is sponsored by ECS Publishing. 1:45 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions Creative and Affordable Singer Recruitment Strategies Fjord I & II This session will explore ways to successfully attract singers to your ensemble. Matthew Mehaffey, artistic director of the Oratorio Society of Minnesota, will share the details of a program that has positively impacted recruitment, retention, revenue, and ticket sales for the organization. The session will conclude with a roundtable discussion around the topic of recruitment. Introduction: Leonard Ratzlaff*, professor of choral music, University of Alberta Presenter: Matthew Mehaffey, artistic director, Oratorio Society of Minnesota CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 8

9 Thursday, June 14 Doing the Write Thing: Writing for Chorus America's Scholarly Journals Fjord III In this session, James A. John, editor of the American Choral Review, and L. Brett Scott, editor of the Research Memorandum Series, will help participants develop ideas for research projects. If you are interested in research but don t know how to begin, have a great idea you want to develop, are looking to publish your first (or fiftieth) article, or just want to learn more about Chorus America s two scholarly publications, this session is for you. Introduction: Frank Stubbs, former board member, Chorus America Presenters: James A. John, editor, American Choral Review L. Brett Scott, editor, Research Memorandum Series Expanding Your Reach: Engaging Your Board in Fundraising New Sweden West Your board can be among your most powerful assets. Too often, though, board members don t want to be involved in fundraising or view fundraising as a daunting task. The result is that the burden falls on a few while many do very little (or nothing). To address this challenge, your board members may need more clear direction and guidance about how they can participate in fund development so it feels like a rewarding and integral part of their board involvement. In this interactive session you will take away concrete tools and techniques using examples from other arts and choral groups to make the raising of dollars AND awareness a positive experience for you and your board. Introduction: Elfrieda Heinrichs*, co-founder and director, The Heinrichs Foundation Presenter: Lori L. Jacobwith, communications & fundraising strategist & trainer Music + Youth: A Session with Melanie DeMore Norway 2 & 3 Vocal coach and teacher Melanie DeMore has developed a host of engaging strategies and techniques from years of experience working with students of all ages in Oakland, CA, and beyond. In this session, she will share her insights on writing music for young singers, as well as give attendees a sample of what she delivers through her "Sound Awareness" course, which helps young people consider the cultural, political, and emotional effects of the media in their lives, including the impact of television shows such as American Idol and The Voice. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a master teaching artist about how to effectively reach out to young people. Introduction: Joyce Garrett*, founder and advisor, Washington Youth Choir Presenter: Melanie DeMore, vocal activist, conductor, and teaching artist Twelve Golden Rules of Nonprofit Chorus Finance Fjord IV ing a nonprofit requires vision, a strategic mindset, and a web of management skills. Whether or not you have a financial management position or responsibilities, everyone in a leadership role has a responsibility to participate in sound planning, prudently manage budgets and resources, and ask important, tough questions. In this session we will cover twelve golden rules of financial management including proven practices, nonprofit myths, and innovative ideas that will help you converse with financial managers and board members, build your understanding, and gain confidence as a financial leader. Introduction: Debbie Patel*, retired arts administrator; singer, Milwaukee Symphony Chorus Presenter: Kate Barr, executive director, Nonprofits Assistance Fund CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 9

10 Thursday, June 14 3:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions Integrating Mission-Based Educational Outreach Programs Fjord IV Among The Bach Choir of Bethlehem s educational outreach programs are: Bach to School, which has now been presented to more than 90,000 students in elementary, middle, and high school; Bach at Noon, a series of seven free, noon-time concerts attended annually by more than 6,500 people of all ages; the Choral Scholars Program for gifted high school seniors; a Bach Vocal Competition for young American singers, co-sponsored by The Bach Choir and The American Bach Society; a highly successful, multiple-disciplinary Family Concert that has involved several dance companies, visual artists, theatre ensembles; and a Young Composers Competition. This presentation will describe how these programs were created and have been sustained, the collaborative efforts involved in making them successful, and how all of these offerings have grown organically out of the core mission of The Choir. Multiple handouts will be available to encourage participants to look at different ways they might integrate mission-based educational outreach programs in their own organizations. Introduction: Mary Lyons*, vice president, education, and chairman emeritus, Pacific Chorale Presenter: Greg Funfgeld, artistic director & conductor, Bach Choir of Bethlehem Medicine and the Performing Arts Fjord I & II Attend this session to gain insights into the field of performing arts medicine. The presentation will include a discussion of common vocal disorders among singers as well as musculoskeletal and neurologic issues among instrumentalists and conductors. The session will be presented by a pair of doctors who work in the field of performing arts medicine. Dr. Schaefer started his career as a choral conductor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls before entering medical school and Dr. Speier has spent a considerable portion of her career caring for instrumentalists through the Musician s Clinic at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Introduction: Judith Willoughby, Bass professor of conducting & choral music education, Oklahoma City University Presenters: Dr. Paul Schaefer, M.D., primary care fellow, sports medicine, University of Minnesota Dr. Jennine Speier, M.D., Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Abbott Northwestern Hospital Seniors and Singing: Two Initiatives that Make a Difference Scandinavian Ballroom East MacPhail Center for Music is known for community partnerships including MacPhail Music for Life, which celebrates creative aging and lifelong learning at eight senior living residences throughout the Twin Cities. The choral component of this program is especially popular and, by all indications, is making a real difference in the lives of older adults. The largest choral program for older adults in the U.S. is Encore, with eleven choirs in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. Through partnerships with likeminded groups such as New Horizons Band, The Dance Exchange and Stagebridge Theatre, Encore s reach is both broad and deep. Attend this session to learn the key elements of these impressive programs, and the important attributes of the high-quality teaching artists that guide these two leading initiatives. Moderator: Paul Babcock, president & chief operating officer, MacPhail Center for Music Panelists: Jeanie Brindley-Barnett, co-founder and coordinator, MacPhail Music for Life Jeanne Kelly, founder and executive director, Encore Creativity for Older Adults CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 10

11 Thursday, June 14 Choosing the Future: How Technology Will Change the Composing, Performing, and Publishing World Fjord III On the long list of responsibilities for the artistic director, repertoire choice is arguably the most important. Programming drives membership, patronage, fundraising, and it s one of the most apparent realizations of an organization s mission. Today, however, the act of planning and preparing a program is changing dramatically as the various players in the music industry are shifting in patterns similar to those of the recording industry over the last decade. The participants in the discussion composer, publisher, performer have shifting roles and responsibilities. The composer is no longer isolated in her study sketching masterworks with pencil and paper. Rather, she is her own primary public advocate, actively engaged in in-person and online networking, directing her own self promotion for commissions and performances, and frequently typesetting and distributing her own work. The publisher, once the maker of tastes, editor of scores, and sole intermediary between ensembles and composers, now has to respond to digital technologies in the form of typesetting, social networking, reproduction: all techniques that traditionally bypassed the publisher completely. Finally, performers are facing ever-tightening budgets, more and more competition for audience attention, and an online sea of repertoire options that can overwhelm even the most curious conductors. The challenges to each party seem clear but the opportunities not so obvious. In a panel discussion intended for all parties, we will explore this shifting landscape with representatives from each group of stakeholders. Through the dialogue, we can learn more about the perspective from each side of the conversation and generate ideas for the future of our art form. Moderator: Miguel Ángel Felipe, director of choral activities, University of Hawai i, Manoa Panelists: Abbie Betinis, composer Matthew Oltman, music director emeritus, Chanticleer Robert Schuneman, president, ECS Publishing Important Issues for Children and Youth Choruses Scandinavian Ballroom West A panel of chorus leaders will provide practical advice on topics of specific interest to children and youth ensembles. Attendees will also receive handouts and will leave with an avalanche of helpful information on: How to conduct background checks for those working with children Incorporating music literacy activities and assessment into weekly rehearsals The "serious play" of communal singing Creating a mentoring program where experienced singers help younger singers Moderator: Susan Knight *, founder and artistic director emeritus, SHALLAWAY-Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus Panelists: Emily Ellsworth, artistic director, Anima Young Singers of Greater Chicago KellyAnn Nelson, education program director, Cincinnati Boychoir Diane Newcom, executive director, Colorado Children's Chorale Kellie Walsh, artistic director, SHALLAWAY Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 11

12 Thursday, June 14 Putting Chorus America s Tools to Work for Your Chorus New Sweden West This interactive session will use our new website to introduce (or refresh your memory about) the wealth of tools at your fingertips to help your chorus thrive. As Chorus America members, you have access to the data in the Chorus Operations Survey Report, the Chorus Impact Study, and the tools and templates developed for our best-selling book, The Chorus ership Guide. In addition, you can take advantage of the Nonprofit Chorus Self-Evaluation Tool, to help you evaluate your efforts in nine different areas. Scavenger hunt through these various resources online with your guide, our director of membership services, and discover/remember how they can help you with grant writing, budgeting, strengthening your board, and running your day-to-day operations. (Along the way, we re excited to introduce you to some of the bells and whistles of our new website, too!) Presenter: Catherine Davies, director of membership services, Chorus America 4:45 p.m. 5:05 p.m. 5:10 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Buttonhole Consultations Norway (1, 2 & 3) To participate in Buttonhole Consultations, you must sign up in advance. For details about Buttonholes, please see the About Buttonhole Consultations document that immediately follows this schedule. 4:45 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Screening: Shining Night Scandinavian Ballroom East Introduction: Andrew Brown, director of operations, Los Angeles Master Chorale Filmmaker Michael Stillwater invites you to this special screening of his documentary about the life and work of composer Morten Lauridsen. Running time: 60 minutes. 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Dinner On Your Own (or Dine-Arounds, see below) See the Restaurant List for a selection of restaurants in the area. 5:30 p.m. Walk to Central Lutheran Church for Dinner & Dialog with Libby Larsen Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. 5:45 p.m. Buses depart for the Chairman s Reception Radisson Lobby 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Chairman s Reception (by invitation) This special reception provides an opportunity for Chorus America to thank our generous donors of $500 or more at one of Minneapolis historic mansions. Transportation to the Chairman s Reception and the VocalEssence concert that evening will be provided. 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Dine-Arounds Conference delegates can sign up to have lunch with a small group of peers in one of the wonderful restaurants nearby. Each person is responsible for their own meal expenses. To participate in a Dine-Around, you must sign up in advance at Registration. For more information, please view your confirmation slip or visit Minnesota Room. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 12

13 Thursday, June 14 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Dinner & Dialog with Libby Larsen Central Lutheran Church Ticketed event for an additional fee of $15 per availability, dinner included. You are invited to join composers attending the American Composers Forum ChoralConnections conference for an informal conversation with Libby Larsen over a church supper. As one of the founders of the American Composers Forum and a widely respected researcher and composer, Libby is a leading voice in classical music and a good friend of the choral community. Presented in partnership with the American Composers Forum. 7:30 p.m. Walk to Central Lutheran Church for The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. 8:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m. The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass Central Lutheran Church The internationally renowned VocalEssence Ensemble Singers will perform Carol Barnett s The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass with bluegrass band Monroe Crossing. The concert will also feature Dominick Argento s Walden Pond, the world premiere of a new work by Paul J. Rudoi, commissioned through the VocalEssence Essentially Choral program with funding from the Jerome Foundation, and Xtoles, a Mayan-based work by Jorge Cózatl, a VocalEssence Cantaré! composer. Performers: VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, Philip Brunelle, founder and artistic director Monroe Crossing The concert is sponsored, in part, by Wells Fargo, Kay and Mike McCarthy, Louise Heffelfinger, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, and the American Composers Forum. 9:30 p.m. Return to Radisson Plaza Hotel Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. Chorus America will provide shuttle buses from Central Lutheran to the hotel for those who do not wish to walk. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 13

14 Friday, June 15 8:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast Denmark Commons Continental breakfasts are sponsored by Distinguished Concerts International, New York (DCINY). 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Exhibit Area Open Donor Table Open 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Registration Open Conference Store Open Denmark Commons Minnesota Room 8:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Dine-Around Sign Up Open Minnesota Room 8:15 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Conductor-Composer Speed Dating Fjord III Fjord IV To participate in conductor-composer speed dating, you must sign up in advance at Registration. Each room will have two rings of chairs: 10 for composers (inside ring) and 10 for conductors (outside ring). You may pick your room. A moderator in each room will signal at the end of 3 minutes and the outside ring will shift one chair to the left, until, at the end of 30 minutes, each composer will have talked to each conductor and vice-versa. 8:20 a.m. 8:40 a.m. Buttonhole Consultations Norway (1, 2 & 3) To participate in Buttonhole Consultations, you must sign up in advance. For details on Buttonholes, please see the About Buttonhole Consultations document that follows this schedule. 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Plenary Session Scandinavian Ballroom Session Host: Ann Meier Baker, president and CEO, Chorus America Morning Sing: Craig Hella Johnson, founder and artistic director, Conspirare Pianist: Jerry Rubino, artistic director, VOICES360 & Voices of Distinction; assistant conductor, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Chorale Chorus America/ASCAP Awards Presentation: Stephen Paulus and Allen Alexander Keynote: Alan Brown, principal & lead researcher, WolfBrown Today s Audience: Getting in on the Act Arts participation is being redefined as people increasingly choose to engage with art in new, more active and expressive ways. This trend carries profound implications and fresh opportunities for choruses exploring how to adapt to demographic and technological changes. Getting In On the Act: How Arts Groups are Creating Opportunities for Active Participation, a study commissioned by The James Irvine Foundation and conducted by WolfBrown, draws insights from more than 100 nonprofit arts groups and other experts. The report presents a new model for understanding levels of arts engagement. It also addresses many of the concerns that choruses may have and provides inspiration and ideas for exploring this growing trend. Presented in partnership with the American Composers Forum. Morning Sings are sponsored by Classical Movements. Plenary Sessions are sponsored by ACFEA Tour Consultants. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 14

15 Friday, June 15 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Buttonhole Sign Up Open Conductor-Composer Speed Dating Sign Up Open Minnesota Room 10:45 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions Getting Your Chorus on the Radio Fjord I & II While there is not an abundance of choral music on the radio, some choirs are very successful at getting heard over the airwaves. Performance quality is paramount, of course, but this session will include additional tips on how to increase the chances of your recordings reaching radio listeners. Presented by a choral musician turned radio host and producer, you ll hear directly from a decisionmaker about what works and what doesn t, as well as news about Minnesota Public Radio s exciting new choral initiatives. Introduction: Don Lee, media producer, editor, writer Presenter: Brian Newhouse, managing director of Classical Programming, Minnesota Public Radio & American Public Media Evaluating the Impact of Your Education Programs Fjord IV The development and growth of quality education programs depends on an effective process of evaluation. So what does effective program evaluation look like? How do we design our evaluations so that they can be carried out in realistic and practical ways? This session will ground you in the nuts and bolts of designing and implementing effective evaluations. You will learn about the pros and cons of qualitative and quantitative data; how to craft program goals and objectives; methods for collecting, analyzing and interpreting data; and how to report results and make recommendations in compelling ways. Presenters: Kimberly D. Meisten, director of community engagement, VocalEssence David Myers, professor & director, School of Music, University of Minnesota Strategy + Planning to Ensure Your Chorus Will Thrive Fjord III If nonprofits want to remain relevant and viable, they must function at the edge of the present and the future. They must not only adapt to their environments but also shape these environments to create productive change. Strategies must be fast moving, flexible, and continuously experimental. This piece of wisdom from Ruth McCambridge, editor-in-chief of Nonprofit Quarterly, captures one of the paradoxes of the concept of strategic planning. Planning resulting in a written roadmap is by its nature fixed in time. You create the plan and then you work the plan. Whereas, strategy is about thinking and acting in a way that is attuned to the nonprofit s ever-shifting environment so as to quickly adjust and shift to align with that environment in a way that is true to the organization s values and strengths. In this session you ll discover how to tap into both sides of that strategy + planning equation for the good of your chorus and organization. You ll learn about the various approaches to doing strategic planning. But mostly, we ll zero in on a powerful process that you can use with your key stakeholders to build a shared understanding of: CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 15

16 Friday, June Where we are; 2. Where we want to be; 3. How we want to get there. Furthermore, you ll learn to manage this process in a way that yields a clear roadmap and helps you and other stakeholders become adept at thinking and acting strategically to ensure successful execution. Introduction: Allison McMillan*, executive director, Providence Singers Presenter: Christie Hammes, director, Strategic Development Services, MAP for Nonprofits Engaging 21 st Century Audiences Online and On the Go Norway 2 & 3 Contemporary arts organizations know that audience engagement is not limited to the live performance in the concert hall. It is a continuum of interactions taking place before, during, and after the performance. With today s prevalent use of social media and mobile devices, arts organizations have a wide spectrum of ways for engaging their audiences. In this session, we ll take a look at these options with a focus on building a manageable social media and mobile engagement strategy. Introduction: Jonathan Miller*, artistic director, Chicago a cappella Presenter: David Dombrosky, chief marketing officer, InstantEncore The Cantus Collaborative Choral Experience: A Demonstration Scandinavian Ballroom West Creating a working collaborative environment in a chamber ensemble is a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor that enables singers to share programming ideas, responsibility for the artistic quality of the ensemble, and ownership of the final product. Musical direction and decisionmaking in a chamber ensemble can be a daunting and exhaustive process without a good division of labor, delegation of responsibilities, and framework in which to rehearse and perform and an agreed upon focus of excellence. This session, led by the fully collaborative ensemble Cantus, will be beneficial for those starting a small ensemble or conductors or singers looking for ways to improve the processes of their current group. The elements covered in this breakout session will include: A short performance and introduction Presentation on artistic leadership and program selection Producer system and open rehearsal demonstration Tools for success Presenters: Cantus: Chris Foss, Aaron Humble, Adam Reinwald, Paul Rudoi, Gary Ruschman, Shahzore Shah, Timothy C. Takach, Matthew Tintes, David Walton Youth Inspiring Youth: A Model Commissioning Program Scandinavian Ballroom East With a focus on youth and a community building creative process, WomenSing s Youth Inspiring Youth is providing the opportunity for young composers ages to create new choral music, mentored by teaching artist Libby Larsen and artistic director Martín Benvenuto. Texts for these works are provided by the award-winning children s poetry from River of Words, a program that educates youth about nature through art and poetry. Young composers, poets, teaching artists, children/youth choruses, and the WomenSing chorus all participate in a public workshop where the young composers hear their work in progress, receive feedback, and put the finishing touches on their work. Since the inception of the Youth Inspiring Youth program in 2008, WomenSing has premiered eight pieces. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 16

17 Friday, June 15 The panel will share the key components of the Youth Inspiring Youth model, including resources for identifying gifted young poets and composers, establishing guidelines for the teaching artist-young composer mentoring relationship, and maximizing financial and non-financial resources to ensure the success of the program. The panel will also reflect on the impact of the program on the organization s presence locally, nationally, and internationally, and discuss modifications made to the project since its launch, criteria used to evaluate the program, and lessons learned. Presenters: Martín Benvenuto, artistic director, WomenSing Charles Bruffy, artistic director, Phoenix Chorale and Kansas City Chorale; artistic advisor, Youth Inspiring Youth Rachel Eidbo, project manager, Youth Inspiring Youth Libby Larsen, composer; Youth Inspiring Youth composer mentor Patty Murray, co-founder and advisor, Youth Inspiring Youth Contemporary music sessions are sponsored by ASCAP. 11:30 a.m. Board Buses for Former Board Member Luncheon Radisson Lobby 11:45 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Former Chorus America Board Member Luncheon (by invitation; hosted by Arlene Williams & Robert Page) Midland Hills Country Club 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Lunch On Your Own (or Dine-Arounds, see below) See the Restaurant List for a selection of restaurants in the area. 12:15 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Dine-Arounds Conference delegates can sign up to have lunch with a small group of peers in one of the wonderful restaurants nearby. Each person is responsible for their own meal expenses. To participate in a Dine-Around, you must sign up in advance at Registration. For more information, please view your confirmation slip or visit Minnesota Room. 12:45 p.m. 1:05 p.m. Buttonhole Consultations Norway (1, 2 & 3) To participate in Buttonhole Consultations, you must sign up in advance. For details on Buttonholes, please see the About Buttonhole Consultations document that follows this schedule. 12:45 p.m. 1:15 p.m. Conductor-Composer Speed Dating Fjord III Fjord IV To participate in conductor-composer speed dating, you must sign up in advance. Each half of New Sweden will have two rings of chairs: 10 for composers (inside ring) and 10 for conductors (outside ring). You may pick your room. A moderator in each room will signal at the end of 3 minutes and the outside ring will shift one chair to the left, until, at the end of 30 minutes, each composer will have talked to each conductor and vice-versa. 1:30 p.m. Walk to St. Olaf Catholic Church for Cantus & The Rose Ensemble Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 17

18 Friday, June 15 1:45 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Concert with Cantus & The Rose Ensemble St. Olaf Catholic Church These two of Minnesota's most renowned professional ensembles come together (for the first time!) to celebrate the crucial role of music in faith. In their first program together, Cantus and The Rose Ensemble will sing music that spans nearly a thousand years and virtually circles the globe. The performance will feature highlights from Cantus' On the Shoulders of Giants and That Eternal Day programs and The Rose Ensemble's Land of Three Faiths program. Cantus is a full-time professional chorus, one of only a few in North America, and these nine men take their singing seriously. Cantus regularly commissions new works, adding to the repertoire for men's voices, and Cantus concerts are not-be-missed events that showcase a thrilling range of vocal styles and repertoire. Known for their effortless artistry and extensively researched programs that explore unknown corners of the early music world, The Rose Ensemble will dazzle you. The 12 vocalists and three instrumentalists are experts in a remarkable range of styles and period performance practice, and their creatively constructed programs are an inspiration. Performers: Cantus The Rose Ensemble, Jordan Sramek, founder & artistic director 3:00 p.m. Return to Radisson Plaza Hotel Walking directions to all venues can be found following the Table of Contents. 3:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions Audience = Participant: The Arts Search for Relevance & How Choruses Can Help Norway 2 & 3 With arts researchers, funders, and institutions alike beginning to reconsider the role of the audience in the arts, where does choral singing arguably the most common participatory arts activity fit in? How can choruses translate their success in engaging a broad cross-section of the population in the arts into more formal recognition for their demonstrated community relevance? What are the respective roles of amateur, professional, semi-pro, and youth choruses in this conversation? And what does all of this mean for the age-old question of who gets to call themselves an artist? Moderator: Ian David Moss, research director, Fractured Atlas Panelists: Alan Brown, principal & lead researcher, WolfBrown Sunil Iyengar, director, research & analysis, National Endowment for the Arts Board-Staff Relationships: How It Really Works Scandinavian Ballroom West On paper, a chorus manager serves at the pleasure of the board and is tasked with managing the organization according to the strategic direction set by the board. But how this plays out day to day has a lot to do with communication, rapport, mutual respect and knowing when to weigh in (or keep out). A panel of three seasoned managers who also have each served on nonprofit boards will share their tips for what can make this key relationship work well. Moderator: Catherine Peterson*, executive director, ArtsBoston CHORUS AMERICA 35 th ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 13-16, 2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 18