Venice Chorale Inc SUMMARY Mission To serve a regional audience by promoting the art of choral singing through vocal excellence and multigenerational education. Contact Information Primary Address P.O. Box 1004 VENICE, FL 34284-1004 Alternate Address P.O.Box 1004 Venice FL 34284 1004 Phone 941 484-8491 Email venexs@gmail.com Website http://www.thevenicechorale.org/ Facebook thevenicechorale General Information nprofit Organization Does Business As (DBA) Venice Chorale Inc The Venice Chorale, Exsultate Former Names Exsultate Tax Exempt Status Public Supported Charity Incorporation Year 2002 State Charitable Solicitations Permit Sept 2018 State Registration Sept 2018 1
BACKGROUND & NEEDS Impact Statement The Venice Chorale was honored to be designated as the resident performing choral group of the new Venice Performing Arts Center in 2014. We are joined in the VPAC by The Venice Symphony, the Venice Concert Band, and Venice High School performance groups. In the 2014-15 season, we moved into our permanent quarters in the rehearsal building adjacent to the Venice Performing Arts Center (VPAC.) Our solo debut in the new performance hall was in early December, 2014. Our audience numbers were the largest ever, with over 850 tickets sold. A highlight of our 2014-15 season was the collaboration with the Venice Symphony for two sold-out performances of Carl Orff's renowned Carmina Burana. Venice Gondolier press reports that the performance was "spectacular," and that the the experience was "one of the most exhilarating musical extravaganzas in Venice, maybe ever." The Youth Chorus continues to grow and develop choral arts skills. Our Apprentice Program has continued to be successful in attracting talented high school students to sing with Venice Chorale and advance their music training. Four apprentices were "adopted" last season by individuals and organizations in the community who paid their stipends. We continued to make great strides under the direction of our Artistic Director, Peter Madpak during the 2016-17 season. The concerts featured varied programs of outstanding choral music performed by the 120-member adult chorus, Youth Chorus, and Venice High School's Le Voci Di Venezia. The two concerts with the Venice Symphony, "The Holiday Spirit of Venice" and "Gloria," were hugely successful. In addition, concertgoers enjoyed "From the Stage: Opera to Broadway" in February. Our Youth Chorale demonstrated remarkable artistry and vocal skills as they performed with the Concert Choir in a moving performance of John Rutter's "Mass for the Children." Our focus is always on high quality performances of quality vocal literature. Needs Statement 1. Support youth education programs: 1) Expand successful Apprentice program by securing sponsors for up to 10 high school/post high school students @ $700 each; 2) Secure funding of $3,000 to continue our Youth Chorus and to support our new Youth String Ensemble. 2.Funding for music scores - 2,000. 3.Underwriting for guest instrumentalist for concerts at $3,000 each. 4.Secure financial support for facility (VPAC) rental expenses for dress rehearsals and concerts- $6,000. 5.Obtain funds to support and expand marketing endeavors- $3,000. Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated to help with tickets, assembling programs, music packets and to serve on Board. Background Statement Venice Chorale Exsultate! was formed in 2002 by a group of singers who wanted the addition of a community chorale to the impressive arts scene in the Venice area. Since its founding, Venice Chorale has provided a dynamic performance venue for all ages, from childhood to late adulthood, which help singers learn and mature musically while participating in the joy of singing. An early decision was made to pass on the love of great music to students in the Venice Schools. This decision gave birth to our Apprentice Program shortly after our founding, and the Youth Chorus was added in 2013. Exsultate! became known as The Venice Chorale after our inaugural season as the resident choral group of the Venice Performing Arts Center. The Venice Chorale continues to provide audiences in the surrounding communities with fine choral music of differing genres from the past and present with an entertainment and educational focus to enhance appreciation of music. While our group is predominately older singers, we welcome anyone of any age who loves good music and commits to our performance goals; thus, our fourteen-year old tradition of a chorus of mixed ages and excellent 2
singers is preserved and shared. In the summer of 2013, the 36-year old Suncoast Chorale of Englewood made the decision to discontinue and its remaining assets were transferred to Exsultate! With the addition of an expansive music inventory, Venice Chorale now offers a music lending library to area choral groups. Statement from the Board Chair Statement from the CEO/Executive Director Areas Served FL- Sarasota FL- Charlotte Most of our audience for our seasons concerts live in Venice or South Sarasota County. Members of audience also come from Manatee, Charlotte, Pinellas and other counties in Florida. Most of our singers live in Sarasota County and some in Charlotte County. Our Apprentice Program is closely connected to the Choral Music Program at Venice High School. The Youth Chorus members attend South County elementary and middle schools, including public, private, and home-schooled students. Service Categories Primary Organization Type Secondary Organization Type Arts,Culture & Humanities Education 3
PROGRAMS Concerts and Performances Description The Venice Chorale members perform a wide spectrum of choral music with the classical tradition as its base. The Venice Chorale's holiday concert, "Magnificent Joy: Songs of the Holidays," opens the 2016-17 season. The highlight of the concert is John Rutter's "Magnificant" with soprano soloist Deborah Polkinghorn-Suta and a chamber orchestra. The Chorale will celebrate women composers including Gweneth Walker, Vivian Fine, and Hildegard of Bingen at its mid-winter concert, "Breaking the Glass Ceiling." The final concert of the season in April is "Life and Landscape" featuring the Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein and the music of Patrick Hawes, Ola Gjeilo, and Eric Whitacre. Each concert features the Youth Chorus and Venice High School's La Voci de Veniza. Budget $50,000.00 The Venice Chamber Chorale is a small ensemble of Venice Chorale, serving as our ambassadorial arm. They present programs to organizations, churches, clubs, and businesses throughout Venice and surrounding communities. Category Program Linked to Organizational Strategy Population Served Short Term Success Long Term Success Program Success Monitoring Program Success Examples Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Musical Performances Adults Children and Youth (0-19 years) Families Concert attendance has increased over prior years. Membership and participation have increased. Community businesses support the chorale through sponsorships. The Venice Chorale will be a stronger and more visible performing chorale in the Venice community. The chorale will collaborate with other groups to perform major choral works. Members will have life-long enjoyment of music. Audiences will develop greater appreciation of the choral arts. 1. Ticket sales, donations, and sponsorship income; 2.Concert attendance; 3.Audience / member surveys; 4.Renewal of season subscribers; 5.Artistic Director assessments; 6.Collaborations with other arts organizations In the past, members of Exsultate (Venice Chorale) have accompanied La Voci to perform at Carnegie Hall. Our membership of singers has increased to over 120. The performances of Carmina Burana were sold out. The comments from patrons and the press were extremely positive following our performances, particularly our joint performance of Carmina. The chorale benefited from working with the symphony conductor as a symphony chorus. 4
The Venice Chorale Apprentice Program Description With a strong commitment to educational outreach, Exsultate! established the Apprentice Program, Seniors Mentoring Juniors, when the chorale was founded. In partnership with Venice and other local High Schools, this program supports music education and experiences for several students a year by providing a $700. scholarship ($100 a month for the seven months of the chorale season) for each student to sing with the chorale. The students are selected by audition for the Apprentice Program. Expenditures for music instrumental or vocal lessons, etc. are approved by the Director for reimbursement by the stipend. Budget $7,000.00 Category Program Linked to Organizational Strategy Population Served Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Music Instruction Adolescents Only (13-19 years) Adolescents Only (13-19 years) Adolescents Only (13-19 years) Short Term Success Short-term successes include: Students enjoy singing in a community ensemble. Adult singers benefit from the energy and quality of the younger musicians. Students continue their music education by private lessons, etc. Long Term Success To make music a life-long joy for many young musicians is the ultimate goal of this program. Program Success Monitoring 1. Student and parent feed-back of program 2.Director assessments of individual students and program 3.Audience surveys 4.Number of students who continue post-secondary music studies 5.Increased financial support for apprentice program Program Success Examples The number of students who apply for apprentice positions always exceeds the funding that is available. Even without scholarship funds, several other talented students sing with Exsultate! each season. Many students have gone on to music careers and some have returned to the Venice community to perform with Exsultate! again. As one Exsultate! member recently commented, "The energy they bring to the rehearsals and performances is fantastic!" 5
The Venice Chorale Youth Chorus Description Composed of students in fourth to eighth grades from area schools and home-schooled students, the Youth Chorus provides an opportunity to participate in an advanced music program focusing on the art of choral singing. This program began in the 2013-14 season with twenty students. Students are selected by audition and perform featured selections at each of the Venice Chorale concerts. The Youth Chorale demonstrated artistry and vocal skills last season during the John Rutter "Mass for the Children." This past summer, the Venice Chorale provided scholarships for five Youth chorus members to attend the Venice Symphony Summer Music Camp. Donna Ambrose is in her second year as director of this group. They will collaborate this season for the first time with the Venice Area Youth String Ensemble (VAYSE). Budget $4,000.00 Category Program Linked to Organizational Strategy Arts, Culture & Humanities, General/Other Music Instruction Population Served Children Only (5-14 years) Children Only (5-14 years) Children Only (5-14 years) Short Term Success The initial participation goal was reached in the program's first year. Student attendance at Youth Chorus rehearsals and concert performances has been excellent. Students enjoy performing with each other and with the adult chorale. Long Term Success To experience the joy of singing and discover the rewards and challenges of choral singing, leading to a life-long enjoyment of choral music is the goal of the program. This can be achieved by giving students early experiences in quality music instruction. Program Success Monitoring Parent/Student input and feedback Director assessments Audience surveys Program Success Examples The Youth Chorus is beginning its fourth season. It has received rave reviews from the Venice Chorale and Symphony audiences. With the move into the new Performing Arts Center two years ago, it is expected that the Youth Chorus will soon have capacity membership. 6
MANAGEMENT CEO/Executive Director CEO/Executive Director CEO Email Executive Director n/a Staff & Volunteer Statistics Full Time Staff 0 Part Time Staff 2 Staff Retention Rate % Professional Development N/A Contractors 2 Volunteers 100 Management Reports to Board CEO/Executive Director Formal Evaluation Senior Management Formal Evaluation nmanagement Formal Evaluation N/A N/A N/A N/A Collaborations The Venice Chorale (Exsulate!) performed as guests of the Venice Symphony in their opening concert in the new Venice Performing Arts Center. The Venice Symphony and Exsultate! offered a joint performance of the magnificent Carmina Burina in February. Those attending expressed amazement and pleasure that local arts organizations could tackle such a huge work and do it very well indeed. During the 2016-17 season, Venice Chorale and Venice Symphony successfully combined forces again to present the holiday concert and the Poulenc "Gloria." This season, the Youth Chorus will collaborate with the Venice Area Youth String Ensemble (VAYSE). Exsultate! performed with the Venice Concert Band in vember, 2013 in a concert to honor area veterans. Other collaborations: Shared advertising with Venice Theatre and Venice Symphony Continuing agreement with Venice High School for rehearsal location and storing music library; Apprentice Program Performing for community groups when requested 7
GOVERNANCE Board Chair Board Chair Ket Weist Company Affiliation Educator/Marketing Consultant Board Term Apr 2017 to Apr 2020 Board Chair Email ket.chorale@aol.com Board Members Name Affiliation Status Annette Ballou Venice Chorale Pres. and Retired Educator Voting Tom Davis retired education administrator Voting Ki Hassler Community Volunteer Voting John Hazeltine Peter Madpak Business person, community volunteer The Venice Chorale Artistic Director Voting Exofficio Larry Patton Community Volunteer Voting Susan Stewart community volunteer Voting Jean Trammell Community Volunteer and nprofit consultant, Past Pres. Exofficio Ket Weist Educator/Marketing Consultant Voting Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 0 Asian American/Pacific Islander 0 Caucasian 9 Hispanic/Latino 0 Native American/American Indian 0 Other 0 0 Board Demographics - Gender Male 5 Female 4 t Specified 0 Governance Board Term Lengths 3 Board Term Limits 2 Board Orientation 8
Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 9 Board Meeting Attendance % 80 Board Self-Evaluation Written Board Selection Criteria Percentage of Board Making Monetary Contributions 100 Percentage of Board Making In-Kind Contributions 100 Constituency Includes Client Representation Standing Committees Executive Finance Membership Development / Fund Development / Fund Raising / Grant Writing / Major Gifts Communications / Promotion / Publicity / Public Relations 9
FINANCIALS Current Financial Info Tax Year Begins 2017 Tax Year Ends 2018 Projected Revenue $61,917.00 Projected Expenses $61,885.00 Total Projected Revenue includes "in-kind" contributions/ donations Endowment Value $20,500.00 Spending Policy N/A Spending Policy Percentage 0 Tax Credits Capital Campaign In a Capital Campaign Campaign Goal 0 IRS Form 990s 2016 990 EZ 2015 form 990 EZ 2014 990 E-Z 2013 990-EZ 2012 990EZ 2011 990EZ 2010 990EZ Form 990 Form 990 Form 990 Audit/Financial Documents 2016-17 Year End 2015-16 Year End 2014-2015 Year End Statement 2015-16 Financial Audit 2013-14 year end statement 2012-13 Year End statement 2011-12 Year End statement 2010-11 Year End statement 10
Solvency Short Term Solvency Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities 67.89 13.82 9.17 Long Term Solvency Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets 0% 0% 0% Historical Financial Review Revenue and Expenses Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Total Revenue $67,288 $48,199 $52,417 Total Expenses $49,839 $53,098 $48,986 Revenue Sources Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Foundation and Corporation $0 $0 $0 Contributions Government Contributions $0 $0 $0 Federal $0 $0 $0 State $0 $0 $0 Local $0 $0 $0 Unspecified $0 $0 $0 Individual Contributions $35,211 $21,912 $24,081 Indirect Public Support $0 $0 $0 Earned Revenue $25,432 $26,062 $24,356 Investment Income, Net of Losses $6,600 $0 $109 Membership Dues $45 $225 $3,871 Special Events $0 $0 $0 Revenue In-Kind $0 $0 $0 Other $0 $0 $0 Expense Allocation Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Program Expense $45,287 $49,314 $43,902 Administration Expense $4,552 $3,784 $5,084 Fundraising Expense $0 $0 $0 Payments to Affiliates $0 $0 $0 Total Revenue/Total Expenses 1.35 0.91 1.07 Program Expense/Total Expenses 91% 93% 90% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue 0% 0% 0% Assets and Liabilities Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Total Assets $35,509 $25,992 $32,500 Current Assets $35,509 $25,992 $32,500 Long-Term Liabilities $0 $0 $0 Current Liabilities $523 $1,881 $3,546 Total Net Assets $34,986 $24,111 $28,954 Top Funding Sources 11
Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount Contributions, gifts, grants $35,211 Program Service Revenue $26,062 Program Service Revenue $24,356 Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar Program Service Contributions, gifts, Contributions, gifts, Amount Revenue $25,432 grants $21,912 grants $24,081 Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Investment Income $6,600 Membership Dues $225 Membership Dues $3,871 Comments Financial Comments by Foundation Financial information taken from IRS Form 990-EZ. Contributions include foundation and corporate support. 12
PLANS, POLICIES & LICENSES Plans Fundraising Plan Communication Plan Strategic Plan Management Succession Plan Continuity of Operations Plan Policies Organizational Policies and Procedures Written Conflict of Interest Policy ndiscrimination Policy Directors and Officers Insurance Policy Risk Management Policy Commercial General Liability Crime Coverage Whistle Blower Policy Document Destruction Policy Affiliations Affiliation Year 0 Chorus of America 0 Venice Area Chamber of Commerce 0 Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County 0 Government Licenses Is your organization licensed by the Government? Created 07.13.2018. Copyright 2018 13