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Have you enjoyed a recent Academy concert—perhaps Mirabel's exciting
rendition of
Eine kleine Nachtmusik,
or cellist Nika Zlataric and archlutenist Manuel Minguillón’s program of
Italian baroque music? This story takes you behind the scenes, where
Academy volunteers work to support the performers.
Central to every concert are the musicians, whose talent, skills, and
hard work first define the program, then prepare and rehearse it.
Musicians or ensembles may contact the Academy asking to give a concert
on our series; other times the Academy board identifies likely
performers and suggests a concert.
Once we have a list of concerts for the year, the Academy's work
begins. For each concert, we negotiate a date that is convenient for
all its performers and is also available at our venue, St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church. (The Academy is very grateful to St. Andrew’s for
generously allowing us to perform in their beautiful church!)
Then we ask the musicians for biographical information, pictures, and a
description of the program--all of which usually take time to obtain.
Often the musicians make changes to the program after they begin
rehearsing together and learn exactly what repertoire will make the best
program.
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Two months before each concert, we begin its publicity. The Academy
newsletter and website feature articles about the concert, and we send
press releases to the Ann Arbor News, the Observer, and more than a
dozen other publications. Academy volunteers create and hang posters
about the concert in locations at several universities and in local
bookstores and coffeeshops. About two weeks before each concert, we
send an announcement to the Academy's e-mail list.
Also two weeks before each concert, we receive the detailed program
information from the performers, and we format and print the concert
programs. We also make final arrangements with the performers: the
Academy reimburses up to $300 of travel expenses for each ensemble, and
Academy volunteers often invite performers to stay in their homes for
the dress rehearsal and concert nights.
At St. Andrew’s on the concert evening, Academy volunteers help the
performers set up and make sure they have everything they need (enough
music stands? water? directions to Zingermans?). Then we sell
admissions, hand out programs, and everyone enjoys a wonderful concert!
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After the last applause has died away, we help the musicians assemble
their gear, make sure the church is left as we found it, and—very
important—count the admission money. Performers on the Academy concert
series receive the entire "gate" (all the admission money we collect),
and we also guarantee a minimum fee in case a concert has a smaller than
usual audience. The Academy makes no money from our concerts—rather,
every concert costs at least program printing costs, and usually travel
expenses as well.
How can the Academy afford to spend up to $500 for each concert, and
support early musicians with all the collected admissions? Without your
help, we can't. Only the generosity of music lovers in Southeastern
Michigan will enable us to keep holding concerts. The Academy depends
on contributions to help us sponsor concerts—our modest membership fees
and occasional rentals of the Academy organ simply aren't enough.
Please help the Academy by making a donation; either mail a check (to
P.O. Box 7694, Ann Arbor 48107) or give it to a Board member at the next
Academy concert. The Ann Arbor Academy of Early Music is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization, so donations are tax-deductible. If you'd like
to learn more about our concerts, or volunteer to help with a concert,
just e-mail aspemboard@umich.edu or phone an Academy Board member.
Thank you!
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