Buffalo Community Orchestra, Inc.
Minutes of Board Meeting of April 3, 2005

Members Present: Kara Stonecipher, Jolyn Halvorson, Gretchen Katzenberger, Tom Larson, Kristi Brown and Sandy Millerbernd, Rosie Tabbut, Mary Ellen Lundsten, and Walt Ostrom.

NEW BUSINESS:
First Item of Business: Marketing Committee Update
Sandy Millerbernd reported that Walt Ostrom volunteered to prepare press releases for the local newspapers in the communities where BCO members reside (These would be communities other than Buffalo. Erin Walsh prepares the press releases/articles for publication in the Wright County Journal Press and The Drummer.) The articles will feature the BCO members from the local community (including a photo). In particular, Walt will be preparing an article for print in the Howard Lake Newspaper as we have several members who reside in that community.
Sandy is continuing to develop a mailing list of BCO concert patrons. She will check into the costs associated with applying for a bulk postage rate permit, including the annual fee for such a permit and the minimum number of pieces per mailing required.

Tom Larson volunteered to update BCO’s website to include the ability of website visitors to sign up to be on our mailing list.

Board members also discussed the possibility of producing a quarterly newsletter which could be mailed to concert patrons highlighting upcoming concert programming, special guests and soloists.

Second Item of Business: Recording of March Concert
A recording was made of the March 5th concert, which several board members recently had the chance to listen to. Members felt that the recording could serve a learning tool for future concerts. One item that everyone felt must be corrected for future concerts is that all soloists, whether vocal or instrumental, must use a microphone. The Performing Arts Center is a large concert hall, and for all patrons to be able to clearly hear the performance, soloists must use a microphone.

Based on the March 5th concert recording, board members suggested that the following issues be addressed at future BCO rehearsals:

Work on balance between the instrumental sections;

  1. Work on intonation in sectionals (need more instruction from concert master and associate concert master during rehearsals)

  2. Record a rehearsal approximately three weeks prior to the concert performance to isolate problems areas to concentrate on in final weeks of rehearsal.

Board members also discussed the best use of rehearsal time for the 2005-2006 season. A suggestion was made that perhaps the wind and brass players needed less group rehearsal time than the string section, and that for at least a portion of a particular concert rehearsal schedule that the wind and brass players attend rehearsals every other week. Such a schedule would be highly dependent on the music scores chosen for a concert, and we should re-visit this issue next season on a concert per concert basis.

Once again, board members expressed their concerns over the number of string section members in the orchestra, and the need to find additional members.

Third Item of Business: Concertmaster and Associate Concertmaster Positions
Jolyn Halvorson will visit with Eva and Allison to find out if both of them are willing to continue next year as the Concertmaster and Associate Concertmaster of BCO. In addition, Jolyn will visit with them about potential conflicts with our Sunday afternoon rehearsals, and the need for them to make a commitment to regular attendance at rehearsals. Board members were in agreement that in order to continue as Concertmaster and Associate Concertmaster, Eva and Allison may miss no more than one-third of the rehearsals for each concert. The Board expects that Eva and Allison should set an example for all other orchestra members by regularly attending orchestra rehearsals. Board members also discussed the compensation to be paid to Eva and Allison for their services to BCO. A motion was made by Mary Ellen Lundsten to pay $50.00 to Eva and to Allison per service. The motion was seconded by Kara Stonecipher. Vote: All in favor. Opposed: None. Discussion: None. Motion passed.

Fourth Item of Business: Election of new Board Officers
The election of new board officers will take place on Sunday May 8th, prior to the rehearsal break. Gretchen will send an email to the orchestra members to advise them of the election, and to solicit candidates for the open board positions.

Fifth Item of Business: End of Year Potluck Gathering/Concert in the Park
Mary Ellen Lundsten volunteered to host a year end potluck gathering at her home following the June 5th concert in the park. Kristi Brown will email orchestra members (both those who are currently playing as well as those who have played in BCO in past concerts) regarding the potluck details. Board members are hopeful that the post concert potluck gathering will encourage everyone to join in the post concert take down, so that we can all get to the party as soon as possible.

We will need to check with the high school on the availability and accessibility of equipment and percussion instruments for the June 5th concert due to the ongoing construction at the high school. It is possible that the band equipment will be stored in another location at the end of the school year due to the construction, and we need to be able to access it.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place on May 1st at 8 p.m. in the BHS band room (immediately following rehearsal).

There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Rosie Tabbut to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mary Ellen Lundsten. Vote: All in favor. Opposed: None. Discussion: None. Motion passed and meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Gretchen Katzenberger
Buffalo Community Orchestra
Vice President/Secretary