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          The New Year brings renewed hope for the future—we all make resolutions to improve in one way or another, or at least plan for what we want to happen in the year to come. Planning for a “preferred future”—one in which desired goals are realized—begins with an assessment of what has come before. Let’s look back at 2002 in terms of Choral Society accomplishments attained and challenges still to be met.
          The year started off with our January concert in Grace Lutheran Church—a delightful combination of Schubert’s Mass in G and the Rutter Requiem. The Church was nearly full, with 467 tickets sold. Limiting the accompaniment to three instruments and organ (a cost saving measure) focused attention on the haunting cello and oboe solos and the lovely harp obbligatos.
          Following this concert, work began on the glorious Brahms Requiem. The production in April was a success from a musical point of view. However, financial returns showed that it is becoming increasingly cost-prohibitive for us to perform in Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium. While Eisenhower is one of the few venues large enough to hold SCCS and a full orchestra, the decision two years ago by the Centre for Performing Arts to charge $1,000 a day facility use fee has resulted in a drain on the Choral Society budget. Choral Society members sold less than 400 tickets for this concert. While another 200 were sold at the door, attendance at this concert was 600 or less.
          Late in the spring, the SCCS Board made some determined budget decisions for the coming fiscal year in an effort to bolster finances. With two benefit concerts planned for the fall portion of the season (Sing for the Cure and the Messiah) and SCCS participating in the CPA production of Carmina Burana in March, it was decided to hold the spring concert (scheduled for May) in the much-more-cost-effective Grace Lutheran Church. The Board also readily agreed to Russ’ idea of producing a CD of holiday music as a fund-raiser.
          The lazy hazy days of summer, 2002, were brightened by three Sing-Alongs sponsored by the Choral Society. Three local church choir directors served as guest conductors as we gathered on a summer’s evening to enjoy great works from Mozart and Vivaldi. While attendance was light, those who came enjoyed the opportunity—and SCCS gained a new tenor who started his choral career with the Sing Alongs (see “New Kids” on page 5). Free will offerings offset the minimal expenses of these events.

          In August, Margie again held a “preregistration night” so that we could pay dues and get music before rehearsals started in September. Preregistration gives continuing members a chance to avoid long lines at the first rehearsal of the season.
          The Choral Society held its second annual yard sale in mid-August, and again realized a profit of $1,000. The Board continues to explore creative ways raise money in support of our cause.
          Unfortunately, the carefully planned October concert of Sing for the Cure had to be put on hold when new funding procedures of one of the sponsors meant the request would not be considered until January. The Board moved quickly to make other arrangements, and decided a concert of the holiday music intended for the CD was the best idea.
          The Madrigal Dinners in early December were a success, thanks to a new script spearheaded by Angela Taylor and the myriad of arrangements by new Madrigal Dinner Manager Shawn Quinn. Both nights were close to sold out, and a festive time was had by all—even a Thursday snowstorm could not dampen spirits.
          The holiday concert, Songs of the Season, was held in Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. The space worked well with the accompanying brass and handbells, and the Choral Society is indebted to the Church for selling tickets and for accommodating, on relatively short notice, the many requirements of presenting a concert of this size. Despite winter storm predictions, the audience turned out in force, with an estimated 650-700 people. An audience survey was distributed for this concert and the holiday format elicited many positive comments.
          Our music marathon weekend included a spectacular production of the Messiah. The wondrous acoustics, the warm welcome of our hosts, the enormity of the audience, and the beauty of the music combined to provide another rewarding musical production, one that financially benefited the good works of the magnificent cathedral in Altoona.
          The Choral Society still has many challenges to overcome: our budget calls for $14,000 in donations, and we have yet to top $10,000. Corporate sponsorships are still hard to come by, and grants and investments are down. Program ads to date have brought in close to $1,600, only slightly more than half of the budgeted $3,000.
          On the plus side, we continue to enjoy a healthy level of membership, with wonderful new voices joining each semester. We have a dynamic and talented director, a dedicated staff, and a committed Board. There will be more challenges in the year to come, but in the meantime, are we not blessed to have an organization with the ability to sing and produce such music? Thanks to all of you for the contributions, tangible and otherwise, that make the State College Choral Society what it is.

This page was updated January 28, 2003 Web hosting provided by Centre Of the Web

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