Lee's Summit Symphony Orchestra General Information Contact Information Nonprofit Lee's Summit Symphony Orchestra Address PO Box 352 Lee's Summit, MO 64063 0352 Phone (816) 401-5251 Website www.lssymphony.org Facebook facebook.com/lee's Summit Symphony Twitter twitter.com/lssymphony Email office@lssymphony.org At A Glance How to donate, support, and volunteer Donations may be made through our website by credit card or check. Donations may also be sent to our mailing address found on our website. 1
Mission & Areas Served Statements Mission Statement The mission of the Lee's Summit Symphony is to enhance the local cultural experience by providing highquality, accessible live performances that inspire, educate and entertain. Background Statement The Lee s Summit Symphony Orchestra was founded in 2003 by Russell E. Berlin, Jr. and Phyllis Hamilton. Because of the excellent music program of the Lee s Summit R-7 Schools, continued population growth, and the fact that local musicians were playing in other area orchestras, they knew Lee s Summit should have its own community orchestra. With a group of dedicated supporters, they formed the orchestra and its support organization, Friends of the Lee s Summit Symphony Orchestra. The first concert was held on October 18, 2003, in the historic Longview Show Horse Arena with a standingroom-only audience that verified the community s support. The Symphony now performs at Lee s Summit High School's performing arts center as well as a pre-fireworks concert in July at Powell Gardens Booms and Blooms event. In addition, the orchestra and small ensembles play at private and public events in the Kansas City metro area. Impact Statement Accomplishments: The Lee's Summit Symphony presented five high-quality concerts including the always-popular Booms and Blooms patriotic and pops concert at Powell Gardens, Fall Classic, Holiday Magic which included a youth chorale and dancers from a local dance studio, Spring Classic, and the Lee s Summit Symphony Showcase performed at Helzberg Hall in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Symphony Showcase included select string musicians from the 3 public high schools in Lee s Summit who performed alone as an Honor Orchestra, and as a combined orchestra with the Lee s Summit Symphony. Included on this program was a performance by the 2014 Young Artist of the Year with the Symphony. The Metheny Music Foundation also presented scholarships to qualified recipients during this performance. This concert showcased the fine talent that Lee s Summit has to offer from youth to adult. The Symphony expanded their free admission policy to include all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students to encourage students who are given the opportunity to start playing an instrument in school in the fifth grade. Membership and donations in the Friends of the Lee's Summit Symphony remained stable. The Friends continued to recognize musicians and a new program called Fun with Friends was initiated to offer Friends members group activities that support cultural events in our community. Goals: Hire a part time marketing contractor to work with the marketing committee on increasing marketing efforts and awareness. (Complete) Continue to work cooperatively with other arts organizations to more effectively target groups that would be interested in supporting the Symphony or attending the concerts. Work to effectively implement the Vision 2023. Increase attendance at all concerts, but most significantly at the fall and spring concerts where the most seating capacity remains available. Continue as a Partner in Education with the school district's music department. Needs Statement 1.Operational funding for additional staff and professional services. 2.Program support through individual donations and corporate sponsorships. 3. Office space (furnished) in Lee s Summit to provide a centralized location for meetings, document storage, etc. 4.A wider active volunteer base to help with fundraising opportunities and concerts. 5.Establishment of an endowment to ensure that the Symphony is able to continue into the future. 2
CEO/Executive Director/Board Chair Statement The Symphony's performance at Helzberg Hall in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts at the end of the tenth season was proof that Lee's Summit Symphony is here to stay. It is an exciting time as we begin our twelfth season and second decade of providing high quality symphony performances! We are truly blessed with both an exceptional conductor and musicians who are committed to offering the finest musical programs at an affordable price. During the 2016-2017 season we plan to diligently strive to work towards our Vision 2023. Our Board and Friends organization continually strive to expand and strengthen the Community of Symphony Supporters through a variety of venues. We believe it is important to reach out to the surrounding communities and offer them the opportunity to experience the Lee s Summit Symphony Orchestra, at affordable ticket prices, in a variety of venues including the Booms and Blooms concert offered each year at Powell Gardens! Our dedicated Board of Directors works to ensure that we explore a variety of avenues, including private contributions, grants, and fundraising opportunities, in order to assist the Lee s Summit Symphony in meeting its goals and objectives. The directors give generously of their time and unique talents to the organization. In addition 100 percent of our directors make a financial contribution to the Symphony personally or through their business each year. The orchestra is also supported by the Friends of the Lee's Summit Symphony. Our friends, led by capable and experienced volunteers, provide steadfast support for all of our events and plan fundraising opportunities to benefit the Symphony. Finally, we offer you the opportunity to join us by donating to sustain the financial health of the Lee s Summit Symphony and maintain our affordable ticket prices. Please join the fans who enjoyed our concert season last year and the nearly 7,500 people who enjoy the concert at Powell Gardens each July! Service Categories Symphony Orchestras Areas of Service Areas Served Areas MO - Jackson County 3
Programs Programs Regular Season Concert Series Description The Lee s Summit Symphony presents four concerts each season at the Bernard C. Campbell Performing Arts Center at Lee s Summit High School and one at Powell Gardens just east of Lee s Summit. The October and March concerts feature traditional classical repertoire while the December holiday concert and July patriotic concert also include lighter holiday and patriotic selections. We offer two performances of the December concert and feature other arts groups from the community such as dancers from a local dance studio and community-based choirs. On average, more than 7,500 people attend the July concert at Powell Gardens. This concert offers new listeners an opportunity to hear our Symphony at no additional charge and is a favorite of many of our musicians and patrons. Category Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Musical Performances Population Served General/Unspecified,, Short-Term Success Long- Term Success Program Success Monitored By Short-term success for this program would include increasing attendance at concerts, increased membership in our support organization, and increased awareness of the Lee s Summit Symphony s existence in our community. The long-term goal for this series of concerts is to continue to provide residents in Lee s Summit and eastern Jackson County the opportunity to enjoy high quality orchestral performances at very reasonable cost, and to continue to find ways to partner with other arts groups in the community and introduce new generations of patrons to the excitement of classical performances. We also want to provide our musicians a challenging yet enjoyable environment in which to practice and perform. Success is measured by quantifiable factors such as ticket sales, membership in the Friends of the Lee s Summit Symphony, and donations (cash and in-kind support) from individuals and businesses in the area. Success is also measured evaluation of the performances and feedback from the musicians and patrons. Dr. Les Brothers, Chair of the Music Department at the University of Central Missouri, wrote, What a pleasure to encounter the LSSO at its final Spring concert! My impressions are uniformly positive. Most striking are the strong, good-sounding string section better than one expects in a regional orchestra and the high quality of the principals. The players respond well to the able conducting of Russell Berlin, and together they are able to deliver convincing performances of difficult literature. Good music is a treasure and I discovered that the LSSO is a real jewel in the crown of metroplex arts. 4
Examples of Program Success The Lee s Summit symphony consistently provides high quality musical activities in the community and a place for musicians to continue to learn, grow, and enjoy performing for audiences. We continue to program repertoire often performed by professional orchestras and expected a high level of professionalism from the musicians. This musicianship was evident in their performance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, a premier performance venue. After every concert, we receive many compliments about our performances and appreciation for making these opportunities available and affordable in Lee s Summit. New patrons consistently comment that they are pleasantly surprised that an orchestra of this caliber exists as a volunteer community orchestra. 5
Family Concert Description The Lee's Summit Symphony is proud to offer a high-quality Family Concert in the spring. This event includes pre-concert activities such as, an instrument petting zoo (with assistance from the Heartland Music Academy), a demonstration by K.C. Strings, art work by elementary students, and a hands-on art activity provided by Summit Art. The concert usually features at least one special guest performer. Guests at past Family Concerts have included Joel Nichols, Bryan Busby, Marvin Gruenbaum, and Mike Metheny. The concert also features an honor choir with sixth grade students from Lee s Summit elementary schools. Concert repertoire consists of lighter favorites enjoyed by audience members of all ages. It is the goal of the Symphony to make the Family Concert a permanent part of its concert season. Category Population Served Short-Term Success Long- Term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Music Appreciation K-12 (5-19 years), Children and Youth (0-19 years), In the short term, our goal is to create a fun and inviting atmosphere in which youth can experience a symphonic performance. Success will be measured by concert attendance and financial support for future Family Concerts by individuals, businesses and foundations. The goal for the Family Concert is to stimulate in the youth of our community an interest in learning to play an instrument and/or developing an appreciation for those who do. Additionally, we will introduce new generations to symphony performances and create future supporters, and possibly members, of our orchestra and other arts groups. Success is measured by quantifiable factors such as attendance at the concert and financial support for future concerts of this type from individuals, businesses and foundations in the area. Success is also measured by feedback from our patrons and evaluation of the performance and feedback from the musicians themselves. In four years, the Lee's Summit Symphony's Family Concert has served more than 4,000 people including 699 youth and 472 performers and artists. Pre-concert instrument petting zoos feature a conducting station where young patrons have the opportunity to learn how to conduct an orchestra. Following the visit to the conducting station, a couple of young patrons in the front row of the performing arts center were seen passionately "conducting" the orchestra as the concert started. One only had to see their faces to know that music had claimed another convert. CEO Comments Two major challenges face the LS Symphony. The first is raising awareness of the symphony's presence within the community. Although we are the largest Arts organization in the Lee's Summit, we are not a "fixture" within our community. We have recently begun a more intense social media campaign coupled with an outreach to select groups through smaller performances that raise awareness of our quality and range. The second challenge is common to all Non-profits, increasing funding. We have a renewed effort to promote on-line giving and have made changes in how and when we begin our fund raising campaign. Thus far, these changes have resulted in a much earlier membership and sponsorship drive. 6
Leadership & Staff Executive Director/CEO Executive Director Mr.&Mrs. Bob/Candy White Term Start Jan 2016 Email office@lssymphony.org Former CEOs Name Term Ms. Gloria Helmer May 2011 - June 2015 Ms. Shelley Loethen Jan 2008 - June 2011 Staff Paid Full-Time Staff 0 Paid Part- Time Staff 4 Volunteers 115 Retention Rate 100% Paid Contractors 3 Formal Evaluations CEO Formal Evaluation CEO/Executive Formal Evaluation Frequency Senior Management Formal Evaluation Senior Management Formal Evaluation Frequency NonManagement Formal Evaluation Non Management Formal Evaluation Frequency Semi-Annually N/A N/A Annually Plans & Policies Organization Has a Fundraising Plan Organization Has a Strategic Plan Management Succession Plan Organization Policy and Procedures Nondiscrimination Policy Whistleblower Policy Document Destruction Policy No No No Collaborations The Lee's Summit Symphony enjoys a strong collaborative relationship wth the Lee's Summit R-7 School 7
district. In addition, the Symphony collaborates every year with a local dance studio and youth chorale that participates in the holiday concert. The Symphony collaborates on an ad-hoc basis with other groups as events warrant. Over the past three years, the Symphony has collaborated with Summit Art and Summit Theater Group. The Symphony plans to continue to work cooperatively with these organizations in order to enhance the arts in our community. Government Licenses Is your organization licensed by the government? No CEO Comments 8
Board & Governance Board Chair Board Chair Mr. Gary Fruits Company Affiliation Coldwell Banker Commercial Fishman & Company Term July 2015 to June 2017 Email fruitscrew@aol.com Board Members Name Mr. Russell E. Berlin Jr. Mr. John Clabaugh Mrs. Kay Ford Mr. Gary Fruits Mr. Bob Glaser Dr. Doug Hatridge Ms. Gloria Helmer Mr. Kirt Mosier Mrs. Debra Moxley Mrs. Susie Newsam Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi Dr. Kirk Nooks Ms. Barbara Prestage Ms. Carol Rothwell Mr. Jim Stilley Mrs. Kyla Stolz Mr. Bob White Mrs. Candace White Affiliation Retired Music Educator, Lee's Summit R-7 School District; Lee s Summit Symphony Music Director (exofficio member, non-voting) Saint Luke's East Hospital Retired Educator Coldwell Banker Commercial Fishman and Company Summit Bank of Kansas City Retired, Educator/Program Director UCM Retired Music Educator/Administrator Lee's Summit R7, Orchestra Conductor Retired Art Educator Retired Education Administration Assistant Language Consultant/Diversity Facilitator MCC-Longview College, President Adelman Travel Retired, Time Warner Cable Retired Attorney HCA Healthcare Retired, Lee's Summit R-7 School District Retired Educator Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 2 Asian American/Pacific Islander 0 Caucasian 16 Hispanic/Latino 0 Native American/American Indian 0 Other 0 Board Demographics - Gender Male 10 9
Female 8 Unspecified 0 Governance Board Term Lengths 3 Board Term Limits 2 Board Meeting Attendance % 85% Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Percentage Making Monetary Contributions 100% Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions 100% Constituency Includes Client Representation Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 7 Standing Committees Board Governance Executive Finance Development / Fund Development / Fund Raising / Grant Writing / Major Gifts Strategic Planning / Strategic Direction Marketing Advisory Board Members Name Dr. Kevin Daniel Mrs. Marsha Gibson Dr. Fred Grogan Mr. Marvin Gruenbaum Dr. Barbara Thompson Affiliation Associate Superintentent, LSR7 Schools Retired Healthcare Administrator Retired, MCC Longview President Violist KC Smyphony Orchestra Psychologist 10
Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start July 01, 2016 Fiscal Year End June 30, 2017 Projected Revenue $122,050.00 Projected Expenses $122,050.00 Endowment Value $5,000.00 Spending Policy Income Only Percentage 0% Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Total Revenue $133,969 $151,458 $141,648 Total Expenses $164,316 $155,715 $134,593 Revenue Sources Foundation and Corporation $39,670 $65,483 $57,569 Contributions Government Contributions $18,690 $15,654 $4,113 Federal -- $0 -- State -- $0 -- Local -- $0 -- Unspecified $18,690 $15,654 $4,113 Individual Contributions -- $0 -- Indirect Public Support $0 $0 $0 Earned Revenue $36,655 $42,553 $55,912 Investment Income, Net of Losses $949 $2,817 $800 Membership Dues $0 $0 $0 Special Events $11,545 $980 $579 Revenue In-Kind $26,460 $23,971 $22,675 Other $0 $0 $0 11
Expense Allocation Program Expense $78,712 $87,997 $82,364 Administration Expense $53,622 $48,565 $36,861 Fundraising Expense $31,982 $19,153 $15,368 Payments to Affiliates -- $0 -- Total Revenue/Total Expenses 0.82 0.97 1.05 Program Expense/Total Expenses 48% 57% 61% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue 46% 23% 25% Assets and Liabilities Total Assets $52,399 $79,058 $78,298 Current Assets $26,105 $58,122 $59,288 Long-Term Liabilities $0 $0 $0 Current Liabilities $14,431 $10,743 $5,726 Total Net Assets $37,968 $68,315 $72,572 Short Term Solvency Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities 1.81 5.41 10.35 Long Term Solvency Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets 0% 0% 0% Top Funding Sources Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount -- -- -- Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar -- -- -- Amount Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount -- -- -- Capital Campaign Currently in a Capital Campaign? No Goal $0.00 Organization Comments Although the LSSO has experienced a net loss in the last two fiscal years, we finished the 2015-16 season with a funds balance of $4,736.00 boosting our net assets to $60,230.00. This positive growth was due to significant change in how contract employees are bid and paid. We anticipate a financially successful season this year with continued funds balance growth. Foundation Comments FYE 6/30/2015, 2014, 2013: Financial data reported using IRS Form 990. Foundations/corporate revenue line item may include contributions from individuals. Created 07.05.2018. Copyright 2018 Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 12