Email Communications from 12-19-2020 through 3-14-2021 & March 10, 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

Type: 
Board
Date: 
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Status: 
Approved

Email Communications to the Board and Symphony Members
The following emails were sent out to the Board of Directors and various Symphony members. The propose was to organize and communicate the possible activities the Symphony members could participate in during the Winter and Spring Quarters of 2021. The emails also contain on going Symphony business.

December 19, 2020 - Board Member Email
Doug sent a document link to the Board members containing the proposed activities for Winter Quarter 2021. The members were to read and edit it.

December 20, 2020 - Symphony Member Email
Doug sent the following email to Symphony members informing them of the Winter Quarter 2021 activities they could participate in:

As in the Fall, we have three options for participating this winter. You are welcome to participate in as many of these as you feel able. Please make a donation for your winter participation by going to the website and hitting the donate button.

Online study group
This is Teresa’s Zoom study group similar to Fall Quarter. The activities are:
1. Group score study
2. Brief reports on the composer and/or musical style period
3. An individual plays while others play along muted
4. Playing along to a YouTube performance of the composition
5. Working in breakout rooms of groups of 2-4 musicians.
6. One sectional per instrumental group.
This group meets on Tuesday or Thursday evening (Teresa prefers Thursday, but will consider Tuesday if enough people prefer it).

All instruments are welcome, but Teresa would like to know who is participating so she can pick the repertoire. The instrumentation for Fall was 2 flutes, 3 violins, 3 celli and one horn, the work was Haydn’s London Trio No. 1.

Please let Teresa or me know by December 28th if you wish to participate in this. Teresa needs to pick the music and arrange to get it bowed.

In-person ensembles
For Winter, we are not going to attempt to form additional in-person ensembles. However, you are welcome to organize your own group of four or more people with whatever ensemble and music you choose. You can use the roster (see below) to find other players. Guests are OK, but we ask that they make a donation to RCS.

Groups should observe all precautions: Health check, Distancing, Wear Masks. If you organize such a group, send the details to info@raincitysymphony.org so we can arrange a coach and a place to play if you need it.

Online ensembles
Up to 20 people have met on Wednesdays to play together using Jamulus – software that makes playing together over the internet (mostly) possible. It has been a bit of a hodgepodge as we try to decide what to play based on who shows up (kind of like a large group of people trying to decide on a restaurant).

What we would like is that people form groups to play particular music, similar to how we’re asking the in-person ensembles to form. You can use the roster (see below) to find other players.

If you haven’t used Jamulus yet and want to, let me know and I’ll arrange for someone to help you. If there are enough people interested, we’ll start a small group to consult with.

Steve Marx is creating a group to play Brandenburg 2 and 3. The time is probably Wednesday evenings at 7:30. The usual instrumentation is three violins, flute, oboe, trumpet, three violas, three cellos, bass, and harpsichord – where Steve is supplying the bass and harpsicord (his spouse). We have played through this on Wednesdays with clarinets playing the viola parts – thanks to Hanan for the music transformation (if you’re a viola and are shuddering – show up and make that unnecessary), flutes playing the violin parts, and bassoons playing the cello parts. Please contact Steve or me if you’re interested in this group.

Nancy Gove is organizing a wind group to play either
1. Gounod Petite Symphonie (fl, 2 obs, 2 cls, 2 hns, 2 bsns) https://imslp.simssa.ca/files/imglnks/usimg/7/7c/IMSLP50026-PMLP76281-Go.... -or-
2. Carl Reinecke Octet for Winds, Op. 216 (fl, ob, 2 cls, 2 hns, 2 bsns) https://imslp.simssa.ca/files/imglnks/usimg/c/cf/IMSLP34852-SIBLEY1802.7...
Please contact her or me if you’d like to play in this group.

Teresa suggests the following pieces for wind groups:
1. Mozart Serenade in C Minor (2 obs, 2 cls, 2 hns, 2 bsns) https://imslp.simssa.ca/files/imglnks/usimg/3/38/IMSLP84125-PMLP40436-Mo... Some unison playing, the instrumental ranges are doable, 4 movements to pick and choose from.
2. Bach Fugue in C minor, arr. Rolock. (2 tpts, 1 hn, 2 tbns) https://imslp.simssa.ca/files/imglnks/usimg/9/97/IMSLP303344-PMLP05948-F... Straightforward. Trumpets are in Bb.
3. Gabrielli Canzona Ch. 194, arr. Rondeau (2 tpts, 2 tbns) https://imslp.simssa.ca/files/imglnks/usimg/a/a5/IMSLP262837-PMLP425627-... (Warning, trumpets are in C)
Her list of possible pieces is actually longer so contact me or her if you wish to see more options – and you can pick your own piece.

Using the online roster
Log in to your account at raincitysymphony.org, then use the roster link at the bottom of the page.

If you’ve never logged in or don’t know your password, go to raincitysymphony.org/user/password and follow the instructions. If you have any problems, contact me for help.

Doug

January 4, 2021 - Board Member Email
Cancellation of the January 6, 2021 Board Meeting

After talking to a few of you, I’ve decided to cancel Wednesday’s meeting.
1. We seem to be set on the groups that are forming.
2. We did apply for the grant from the state, but have not heard anything. I suspect we won’t get anything as our loses for the 2020 were not all that severe.
3. Bruce will be sending out a finance summary.
Any other comments, please send them along.
Doug

January 29, 2021 - Email from Gennie Winkler to the Board Members
Nomination of New Board Member

Hi all, Hope you are well.

I am happy to nominate Charlotte Hotchkiiss to join us on the Board. Charlotte has been a member for about 2 years, plays viola. She has been active during quarantine and will bring experience, enthusiasm and judgment to our team. She will have a portfolio in the future.

Please register your agreement by replying with YES in the subject line. I will tabulate and send to Koko.

Gennie Winkler

January 31, 2021 - Email from Gennie Winkler to Doug and Koko
Vote Tally for New Board Member

Charlotte Hotchkiss received eight "yes" votes unanimously electing her to the Board.

February 15, 2021 - Email from Doug to Board Members
Setting Date for March Board Meeting

Please put our next board meeting on your calendars for March 10th at 7:00 pm. Hanan will send out a link – and I’ll send out an agenda before then. I’ll send out an appointment request in the next few minutes for those whose calendars accept them.

Thanks.

Doug Potter
President, Rain City Symphony
___________________________________________________
Board Meeting Minutes March 10, 2021
In attendance: Madeline Beery, Hanan Bell, Charlotte Hotchkiss, Teresa Metzger-Howe, Koko Morgan, Kathleen O’Keefe, Doug Potter, Bruce Sherman, Anne Warner, Gennie Winkler, and Jackie Kirn (guest), Steve Marx (guest)

Approval of Minutes
The minutes for the Board Meeting on December 2, 2020 were approved as amended.

Welcoming New Board Member and Guest
Doug welcomed the new Board member, Charlotte Hotchkiss and Guest, Jackie Kirn who is going to assist with grants and contracts.

Nomination and Election of New Board Member Via Email
On January 29, 2021 Gennie Winkler nominated Charlotte Hotchkiss to join the Rain City Symphony's Board of Directors. Charlotte Hotchkiss received 8 yes votes unanimously electing her to the Board on January 31, 2021.

State of the Treasury - Bruce
Bruce has been getting the accounts in order. We are financially holding our own. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan has been forgiven. Winter quarter 15 people donated money. We need to encourage the members to give more money by explicitly appealing to them.

Grant Status and Fundraising - Madeline and Jackie
The following grants have been received by the Symphony: $2,100 from King County 4Culture; $580 from Seattle's Office of Arts and Culture; and $1,000 Covid relief grant. We may qualify for an ArtsWA grant, which supports the work of arts organizations across Washington State. Meeting the grant requirements of performing for the public will be difficult until the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. We are developing better personal connections within the orchestra, which is important.

Publicity and Website Updates - Kathleen and Charlotte
Charlotte will be helping Kathleen with the website. Doug showed them the particulars about the Symphony's website software. The website needs new pictures. Bruce has some. Kathleen will look at other software that might be good for us to use.

Review this Winter Quarter’s Groups
Teresa reviewed her winter quarter's groups via the following email. The email also included Nancy Gove's review.

March 7, 2021 - Email from Teresa Metzger-Howe to the Board Members
Winter Quarter 2021 Reports from the Study Ensemble

Online Study Ensemble from Teresa Metzger-Howe
The RCS Study Ensemble met for 8 Thursdays from 6:30-7:45pm, beginning January 14 and ending March 4. Our numbers fluctuated a bit but finally settled on 3 violins, 3 celli, 2 horns, 2 trumpets and 1 percussionist for a total of 11 musicians. We studied/rehearsed three movements from Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks. The three movements were the Overture, La Rejouissance and Minuet and Trio.

The weekly Zoom meetings included the following activities:
Brief reports on the composer and/or musical style period
An individual played while others played along muted
Playing along to a YouTube performance of the composition
Working in breakout rooms of groups of 2-4 musicians.
We also had one 2-hour (or two 1-hour) sectional per instrumental group

Jamulus Woodwind Ensemble from Nancy Gove
We’ve met once a week. We currently have had nine people with a possible 10th. As most of us figured out the equipment last quarter, it was much easier to get going. We’ve focused on the Gounod and read through the Reinecke. Playing music with obvious, constant rhythm is much easier.

On-line is had been a wonderful way to get together. I’m curious to see the impact that Jamulus has on our listening ability. When we can play in person, I think many of us would be interested in working up the Gounod to be able to perform it.
Nancy

Other Groups Winter Quarter's Reviews
Online “string” group - Steve Marx
Steve had more than strings in the group. There was usually 15-16 instruments. They sight reading music which included a Brandenburg piece, Handel Messiah Orchestral Suite and Bach's Suite #1 in C.

Online group - Bruce Sherman
Bruce felt there were benefits from the interaction of groups from different orchestral sections. It seemed to be working well. Good work everyone.

The Symphony is attempting to keep our coaches working. Coaching can be done in person or on-line.

Next Spring Quarter's Plans - Teresa
Below is the March 14, 2021 email from Doug explaining the plans for spring quarter.

March 14, 2021 - Email from Doug to Symphony Members
Spring Quarter Choices

The spring quarter for Rain City Symphony is just around the corner, so here comes information about all the groups that are available for you to participate in.

The RCS board met this week, and heard reports of all the groups that have been meeting during the winter quarter. We are delighted that so many members of RCS have taken part enthusiastically in the various groups and are getting a lot of pleasure out of it, and pleased that we have been able to offer so many opportunities to enjoy making music together, and even provide coaching - despite the strange circumstances. Not all community orchestras have been able to do this.

Please consider making a donation to RCS to help keep us going through the coming quarter, especially if you are participating in any of the groups, as we still have costs to bear to keep going even while we are not meeting as a full orchestra. You can make a donation by going to the website and hitting the donate button. Or you can mail a check to Bruce Sherman, 8706 26th Ave NW, Seattle, 98117-3807.

Thank you!

You are welcome to join as many of the following groups as you would like to and are eligible for. Please email the relevant leader/contact for each group to register your interest by March 24, so that leaders can pick suitable repertoire for the selection of instruments and arrange for string parts to be bowed. You are also welcome to arrange your own online or in-person group. In-person groups need to following all current COVID-19 guidelines. Please contact Gennie W or Doug if you would like to start a new group. Besides the groups listed here, there are some smaller groups that already exist that are currently full.

In-person String Ensemble
Wednesday evenings, April 7 through May 26, 7.30-9pm, at Music Center of the NW (main hall)
Leader/Contact: Teresa

This is a new venture for the spring quarter. There is a 12 person limit for this group, chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis, with added consideration for instrumental needs. All participants would need to follow the prevailing MCNW protocol. Currently this involves signing a liability waiver, taking temperature upon entry to the building, answering an online health questionnaire on the day of the rehearsal, strictly observing social distancing, and wearing masks. There will be a monitor at the entrance to regulate spacing on arrival, and musicians will go directly to their assigned seat in the rehearsal hall without congregating. There will be no break in the rehearsal, and departures will also be staggered.

There may be a recording or a concert on June 2, depending on the current state health department guidelines at the time.

Online Zoom Study Group
Thursday evenings, April 8 through May 27, 6.30-7.45pm
Leader/Contact: Teresa
Teresa has run study groups like this in the Fall and Winter.

The activities are:
Group score study
Brief reports on the composer and/or musical style period
One individual plays while others play along muted
Playing along to a YouTube performance of the composition
Working in breakout rooms of groups of 2-4 musicians.

One 2 hour sectional per instrumental group (Two 1 hour sectionals if preferred).

Jamulus Ensembles
Jamulus makes playing together over the internet possible, along with some extra hardware, e.g. microphones and audio interfaces. If you are nervous or uncertain about the technology, help is available! - please check Playing together online, or contact Peter K or Doug.

Online “String” Group
Wednesday evenings, 7:30pm
Leader/Contact: Steve Marx
This group started as a string group, but now includes several wind players (including some playing transposed string parts). The group have mainly worked on baroque music, and have enjoyed the extra benefit of Steve’s wife joining in on harpsichord.

Online Wind Group
Tuesday evenings, 7:30pm
Leader/Contact: Nancy Gove
This group (currently 9 to 10 people) have been working on pieces by Reinecke and Gounod. They are hopeful of performing some of the music they have been working on at some stage.

Online Brass Group
Tuesday evenings
Leader/Contact: Mike Hopkins
This group (currently 4 to 5 people) have been playing a wide variety of music, and are very keen to recruit more members.
________________________
Thanks to Anne Warner (membership chair) for helping me with this mail. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Doug

Next Meeting
The next meeting will be Friday, May 14, 2021 at 7:00 pm via Zoom.