It’s been a busy two weeks and I’m just returning to normal. I’ve been told that I should blog something every day in order to become effective. That will be a challenge until I get into the habit.
June 9 -11 I was in NYC as a member of the music panel for NYSCA. We reviewed 73 grant applications from organizations big and small. Also on the panel were the artistic director of the Rochester Symphony, a composer, two jazz artists, a member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Dean of the Hartt School, an opera company executive director and another orchestra executive director. Slogging through those applications was educational and a real eye-opener. There are organizations out there who write grants with the “you owe me” attitude; there are some that need some “how-to” instruction; and there are those that actually know what they’re doing. The NYSCA budget is on the governor’s chopping block – who knows if there will be enough grant money to go around! NYSCA executive director, Heather Hitchens, was working the phones while we were there; I predict a significant reduction in funds, but not the 40% additional reduction that has us all worried.
More to come on the League of American Orchestra’s conference in Atlanta June 15-19.
