2016 Annual Report - Music for...
Transcript of 2016 Annual Report - Music for...
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Our mission
Music for Canberra’s mission is to create and provide high quality, educational and enjoyable musical
experiences which are accessible for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Music for Canberra
believes in fostering innovation, diversity and creative thinking through music.
Our vision
The music for Canberra vision is to be the leading provider of musical learning and performance
experiences for the Canberra community. We will achieve this vision by providing quality education and
performance opportunities across a range of instruments and vocal programs, with learning and
performance pathways to suit the artistic goals of each individual.
Our History
Music for Canberra incorporated on January 5th 2015 from the amalgamation of Canberra Youth Music
(50 years) and Music for Everyone (30 years). Music for Canberra draws on both the standard of
excellence, and community-focused strengths of both these ‘parent’ organisations to create a new and
dynamic entity to provide excellence in music experiences for all Canberrans.
This 80 years of combined musical history enables Music for Canberra to draw on the corporate
knowledge, staff and member skills and the positive attributes of an organisation that encourages
engagement with music, and respects that music belongs to all of us.
It is imperative that we continue to collect, collate and record and present appropriately the history of
our company in mediums that will inform and enrich our future.
ABOUT US
Music for Canberra is a Key Arts Organisation, Not for Profit music education provider, offering musical
learning and performance experiences for the Canberra community. Our vision is clear and simple: to be
the leading provider of the musical learning and performance experiences for the Canberra community.
We will achieve this vision by providing quality education and performance opportunities across a range
of programs (instrumental and vocal), with learning pathways to suit the artistic goals of each individual.
To achieve these aims we will follow these principles:
People of all ages, backgrounds and abilities should be encouraged to explore music and achieve individual music goals in either a solo or group setting
Music participation and learning should be accessible in a range of contexts to all in the community
Participation in music-making enriches the quality of the individual’s cultural life and that of the community
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Music for Canberra ensures these principles by:
Working with the participants to meet their needs
Providing enriching and innovative repertoire
Engaging audiences using a range of performance platforms
Managing its operations in a sustainable and professional manner
Partnering with key organisations and community groups
OUR PEOPLE
PATRON
Tim Ferguson is a comedian, screenwriter and director. He has created, written and starred in many TV series in
Australia & the UK. Recent credits include: co-writing (with Edwina Exton) co-directing (with Marc Gracie) the
rom-com feature film SPIN OUT (Sony Pictures) which opened in cinemas nationally in September. Tim was also
Series Script Editor for the ABC1 sitcom RICKETTS LANE (2015) and THE LEGEND OF GAVIN TANNER (2016).
Tim is a member of the international comedy success trio the Doug Anthony Allstars (D.A.A.S with Paul McDermott
and Richard Fidler) since 1984. They reformed in 2013 (with Paul ‘Flacco’ Livingston) and have since enjoyed
many sold-out major theatre tours nationally, and have just returned from the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and
a series of shows in London.
Tim wrote the bestselling memoir CARRY A BIG STICK which details his career and battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
He wrote bestselling comedy screenwriting manual THE CHEEKY MONKEY – WRITING NARRATIVE COMEDY.
He is Australia’s foremost teacher of screen comedy, consults for international production companies and
networks. Tim conducts his own Cheeky Monkey Comedy Courses worldwide. He currently lectures in comedy &
screenwriting at the Australian Film TV & Radio School (AFTRS), RMIT University, Victorian College of Arts (VCA)
and the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
Tim is also a highly experienced keynote speaker and corporate event host and is thrilled to be Patron of Music
for Canberra.
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BOARD
Name Position
Peter Thrall Chair
Geoffrey Manning Vice Chair
Anne Buck Secretary
Gavin Kellett Treasurer
Alan Hui Member
Nathan Hancock Member
Kerry Mills Member
Catherine Carter Member
2016 Administration Staff
Name Position Month started/finished (if not
engaged for whole year)
Kathleen Grant CEO & Artistic
Director
Mieka Vigilante Marketing and
Programs
June. Worked remotely until
Saturday 23 September
Kate Firkins Finance, HR and
Programs
Included Programs June
Maryanne Picker Administration
Officer
June
Skye Gallagher Administration
Officer
March to July
James Brogan Administration
Officer
July to October
Jenny Brain Marketing
Manager
September
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Casual Staff
Surname First Name Position
Month started/finished (if not engaged
for whole year)
Brown David Tutor
Buckler Josh Tutor Commence July
Cavalo Ben Tutor September to December
Claringbould Greta Conductor July
Findlay Fraser Tutor September
Firkins Kate Tutor
Firkins Mary Tutor
Fisher Elysia Tutor
Forman Michelle Tutor December
Genet Toby Tutor
Gisz Madeleine Tutor
Hendy Bronwyn Conductor September to December
Higgs Jenny Conductor
Jerjen Barbara Tutor
Knight Kirsten Conductor December
Chloe Lankshear Conductor July to September
Latham Hanna-Marie Accompanist
MacPhail Rosemary Tutor December
Manning Richard Tutor
Maxfield Toni Tutor December
Neidorf Demetri Tutor December
Owens Karen Tutor
Owens Sarahlouise Tutor
Patrick Erin Tutor September
Philipse Mandy Tutor
Phillips Claire Tutor December
Quinn Quirke Patrick Tutor
Raffan Zach Tutor
Rufus Victor Tutor July
Slater Dylan Tutor
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Temby Scott Tutor Resigned October 10 2016
Weiss Leonard Conductor
Wickham Tim Conductor
Williams Neille Tutor April
Woolhouse Rita Tutor January - October
Ye Shilong Conductor
Managers
Name Position Month started/finished (if not
engaged for whole year)
Mary Tough CYO Manager
Dot O’Connor JMO Manager
Kerry Mills Peg Mantle Strings Manager
Caroline Sayers String Ensemble Manager
Penny Dakin Sinfonietta Strings Manager
Stef Pidcock, Camerata Strings Manager
Hanna-Mari Latham Canberra Youth Choir Manager
Kirsten Knight Canberra Children’s Choir
Manager
Hanna-Mari Latham Training Choir Manager
Martin Elias Transport
Peter Hislop, Photographer
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OUR SUPPORTERS
Music for Canberra is a Key Arts Organisation, and generously supported by artsACT. The Snow
Foundation is a key sponsor contributing to offsetting the costs for members attending the Mixed
Abilities Program.
Music for Canberra is also generously supported in a variety of ways by the following establishments:
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STRUCTURE & MANAGEMENT
Music for Canberra Incorporated is a community not for profit Key Arts Organisation. Its structure is
staffed by skilled and experienced staff and supported by generous assistance from volunteers,
particularly during events and performances.
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CHAIR REPORT
It has been an interesting and challenging year indeed but with many successes along the way. From
my perspective, Music For Canberra is beginning to settle into its own identity. Yes, the culture and
future direction of this organisation is still evolving, but I can already see great things happening and
many new initiatives and events to look forward to. All in all, a very successful year as we continue on
the journey!
Kathleen Grant has continued with us in her role as CEO and Artistic Director, and she continues to
demonstrate a very high level of enthusiasm, energy and commitment to making Music For Canberra
the very best that it can be.
I’d also like to acknowledge the consistently high quality of the contributions that our Board has made
this year. We have been fortunate in having a diverse skillset represented, including experience in
program management and procurement, finance, higher education, public policy and human rights,
organisational development and culture, communication and marketing.
During 2016, there have been a number of changes in our teaching and administration staff. I’d like to
note in particular, some of the administrative staff changes which partly represented a response to
concerns raised by teaching staff and members. I’d really like to thank the office team for their hard
work this year, and their willingness to adapt – this has helped to ensure key improvements in
efficiency and effectiveness, and a strong customer focus in everything we do. This has included paying
more explicit attention to how we communicate with each other across the organisation (e.g.
newsletters and emails), and ensuring that everyone was aware of expectations and standards across
the business.
The Board and CEO have put emphasis on building a more transparent, open and inclusive culture
within Music For Canberra. During 2016, round table discussions were held with staff to provide
opportunities for people to talk about the things that matter to them, to raise issues and to contribute
their ideas to how we move towards the future. This consultation process provided excellent
information to inform the organisation’s pathway for further change and development. Given all the
other demands on people’s time, there will always be challenges with maintaining the momentum for
positive change but I am confident that this will happen, given strong Board and CEO commitment to
making MFC a great place to work as well as a great place to participate in music activities.
Following on from the AGAC renovations in 2015, there has continued to be some challenges for us
around the availability of working spaces and equipment storage, our ability to flexibly expand MFC
activities, and the need to fit in with a range of other organisations using the new facilities under the
new AGAC business model. This has resulted on some occasions in missed classes or timetable clashes
– discussions are ongoing with regard to how best to address this issue.
Music For Canberra also had many highlights during 2016. These include a diverse range of
performances (e.g. the combined Mannheim Youth and CYO orchestras which represented our first
venture into live streaming). Overall, during this year participation numbers increased in many of our
ensembles as well as the audiences at these events.
Another major event for us was the installation of MFC’s first patron, Tim Ferguson, who would be
well known by many for his contributions to film, comedy, writing, teaching and the arts. Tim is
particularly passionate about promoting inclusion and a great supporter of the social importance of
making music accessible to everyone.
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Overall, I see continued evidence that Music For Canberra is growing and progressing in diverse ways,
and I have complete confidence that the organisation will continue to be an important resource for
making musical experiences widely available to the Canberra community.
Peter H. Thrall
Chair MFC Board
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CEO & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Music for Canberra (MFC) means different things to members and to our young music makers,
seniors, mixed abilities students or in a standard of excellence ensemble; community, music making
with the attributes of inclusion and fun at the core of every MFC experience.
Since merging in 2015, MFC has provided music experiences in a variety of formats for a wide range
of ages, abilities, genres and goals. Whether it is music for personal joy, social or cognitive
development, or in preparation for a musical career, MFC aims to provide the best music experience
possible to maximize inclusion and participation. This is achieved through a variety of services and
strategies including providing, where possible, multiple iterations of classes, keeping costs as low as
possible to accommodate a broader socio economic bracket, researching and delivering pilot
programs to learn more about our community, refining our product to include our communities
most vulnerable, and increasingly engaging with industry professionals and visiting artists to enrich
our programs.
With this in mind MFC is researching and working with our peers and colleagues to continually
develop MFC as a Key Arts Organisation within our sector, providing outstanding artistic
opportunities within the community and offering leadership and support to the community. With a
settling and refinement of programs and staff in 2016, we are now focussing on the actions required
results of the staff consultation meetings of late 2016 and incorporating knowledge learned into a
membership consultation process with the aim to continually refine and develop our product and
services.
MFC in 2016 looked quite different to its original 2015 merge. Physically the completion of building
renovations had sorted some of the challenges of the last half of 2015 had mostly been resolved by
establishment of systems to cater for room bookings and staff communication. More challenges
awaited in 2016 with the addition of new tenants to the Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centre community.
Some of these organisations were, and are, in direct competition with MFC and sometimes their
work activities placed new pressures on room availability for MFC classes. Our customer base
remained relatively consistent during the entire year, starting with 600 members at the beginning of
the year and finishing with 602.
We continued to refine and utilize Music Biz (customer service software) which has a range of
functions that allow us to book in new members, construct timetables, send invoices and reminders
and process and record payments. We are looking forward to developing more of its capabilities in
the future to continually improve our service.
Music for Canberra has our main office and the bulk of our activities are the Ainslie and Gorman Arts
Centre and operates at several other venues around Canberra. Rehearsals and classes are scheduled
regularly at the ANU School of Music and Tuggeranong Arts Centre. From time to time as bookings
require, we will also work at the Canberra City Band Hall and Canberra Boys Grammar School. MFC
is fortunate to have performance opportunities at both Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, ANU
Llewellyn Hall, Orana Steiner School, the Great Hall of Parliament House, the High Court and other
iconic venues around Canberra.
Music for Canberra engages in the traditional medium of master and apprentice (whether individual
tuition or group) and in support of the teacher/student engagement, we encourage all staff and
members to provide performance opportunities for their students regularly and at least once a year.
Audiences generally consist of family and friends of the performers, although the engagement of
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guest artists within our Canberra Youth Orchestra Concerts in 2016 have shown to be a draw card
for increasing number and diversity of attendees.
Collaborating with ANU School of Music also allowed MFC to experience for the first time a local and
international a digital presence in 2016 during the Mannheim and Canberra Youth Orchestra’s
combined concert on Saturday 13th August via Live Streaming. This performance is still viewable
online and has over 2200 views which is outstanding.
In regards to the growth and retention of members, we took 2016 with caution so as not to over
extend the human and physical resources. However major changes in administration staff caused
stress on the staff remaining and as such some key issues arose requiring support and resolution.
Great thanks to the resourcefulness and resilience throughout 2015 of Kate Firkins and Mieka
Vigilante, who created some exciting pilot programs and supported staff well beyond the normal
working hours for which I am very grateful. We also welcomed in new marketing manager Jenny
Brain who fitted in seamlessly with our operations and the hectic pace of the business.
MFC as a Key Arts Organisation in Canberra is generously supported by artsACT. Funding support
from the Snow Foundation also allows us to keep the costs of our Mixed Abilities program at an
accessible level.
Fees at Music for Canberra are kept as low as possible to provide maximum potential for
engagement with young musicians in our community. Members pay for a yearly membership fee
which contributes to insurance and administrative costs. Meticulous calculations are made to
ensure costs are covered including room hire, staff fees with each class. Individual classes must be
viable as a one to one endeavour and we make decisions regarding the continuance of classes on the
same principals. However sometimes there are groups that for explicit or intrinsic reasons on
occasion we allow to run to at a loss, we will support these groups for a period of time and work to
boosting membership and achieve sustainability.
Our members receive outstanding tuition from both experienced and early career musicians. We are
fortunate in Canberra that subject matter experts for instrumental teaching and conducting work
are available from a variety of quality institutions such as Canberra Symphony Orchestra, ANU
School of Music, Orana Steiner School, Radford College, National Capital Orchestra and many more.
This adds a depth to staff that we are keen to tap into in future projects. Our program of lessons
and performances are skills and capacity based so that each member of Music for Canberra has the
opportunity to perform at least once a year in the appropriate medium for their learning and musical
experience. This is an important distinction as our most vulnerable members perform weekly in a
supportive class environment, and our Rock Academy and Youth Orchestra members perform in
public events in the space appropriate to their medium.
Music for Canberra’s main source of income is membership fees. In the past this has not been the
best with a huge number of debtors recorded for 2015/2016. We are working towards refining our
communications and handling of invoicing, debt management and recovery to ensure we are
administrating our business and resources appropriately, in a timely fashion and with respect.
Music for Canberra was thrilled to be the recipient of the Canberra Theatre Centres Charity of the
Day at the August 2016 Music at Midday Concert. A fabulous day of music generously supported by
the MFC senior’s choirs Allegro and Vivace to assist in the fundraising and marketing efforts of the
day. 2016 also was a wonderful year with generous support from the Embassy of the Federal
Republic of Germany with a donation of €5000 to hold the combined Mannheim and Canberra Youth
Orchestra’s in concert at Llewellyn Hall, Saturday 16th August. This was also generously sponsored in
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kind by ANU School of Music and new Head of the School of Music, Professor Ken Lampl. The
Canberra Symphony Orchestra generously supported in kind by rescheduling key rehearsals to allow
us Llewellyn Hall, and Anton Pemmer from Bottles of Australia provided commemorative water
bottles for the event. We were thrilled with the over 600 attending audience members and the
2200 views for live streaming, which is still available online.
The 2016 MFC skills based board provided invaluable support to me and MFC throughout the year.
There are so many instances where I called for practical assistance, connections or advice and each
member has been unstinting in their support and availability. I thank each and every one of these
amazing people most sincerely.
Music teaching and performing requires appropriate multiple resources of music and instruments as
well as dedicated and talented staff. To the best of our ability, staff are provided the resources
required to deliver a rich musical experience to their students. We are constantly working to protect
and maintain our instruments within the appropriate manner to minimize risk to health in accessing
and managing the instruments, protecting the instruments from damage and ensuring the quality of
the instrument to maximize the best musical experience.
Music for Canberra relies on the generous support of our Key Arts Organisation Sponsors at artsACT.
With funding until 2020, we are keen to ensure that our business model evolves to make the most of
becoming a sustainable business
2016 has been an intense year of developing a unique MFC identity and strong relationships with
our members and the Music community. Looking forward it is time to rework our key governance
documents to ensure that growth and identity factors are identified and pathways for enrichment
and growth are clearly articulated and strengthened. Our staff are experienced and dedicated to
their work and members provide meaningful feedback to assist us with organic creative planning.
Music for Canberra commenced a series of staff consultations at the end of 2016 to do our first all
staff health check. The results were collated and some key issues have been identified to be worked
on.
We have solved the following as a result of the inaugural staff consultation meeting:
Acquisition of new music stands
Regular staff communications
Including volunteer managers as staff in communications. Other items raised in the meetings for planning of high priority to address are
Further changes such as consistent and accessible administration support will be addressed as a priority
Review of staff wages
Succession planning Sincere and grateful thanks to all MFC staff and members for the amazing work and dedication
throughout 2016 and becoming such an active and intrinsic part of Music for Canberra.
Kathleen Grant
CEO | Artistic Director
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TREASURER’S REPORT
MFC strengthened their financial position in 2016 by delivering a surplus of $62,250. The total equity
grew from $228,615 at the end of 2015 to $290,865 at the end of 2016, providing a comfortable
reserve for the organisation.
2016 was a challenging year culturally. As a result of implementing improvements to address the
culture issues significant work was invested in improving operations, specifically the policies,
processes and procedures of the MFC office. One of the key initiatives was the engagement of
Successful Alliances to undertake more functions of financial processes and reporting. This has
resulted in more transparent and timely financial reporting, and will allow MFC staff to focus on
program development and artistic outcomes. There have also been significant changes in processes
and financial software platforms, and investigations are taking to place to move banks in order to
achieve efficiency and savings.
Overall program numbers for 2016 remained similar to 2015, however due to staff changes
throughout the year there were fluctuations within individual groups. The orchestral streams
increased in size, while the choir streams reduced in numbers. The cultural legacies associated with
staff changes made it difficult to maintain numbers in the group and engagement strategies will be
developed and implemented to reverse the trend for the choirs. Individual lesson numbers have
slightly reduced. Class capacity across all programs have been impacted by both the availability of
rooms at the Ainslie Arts Centre and the availability of suitable tutors. This is currently being
addressed.
The support of ArtsACT funding must be acknowledged. ArtsACT provide a significant amount of
funding to MFC, and their continued support is appreciated. €5000 from the EU was donated, and
support in kind from bottles of Australia to supply concert bottles for MYO and CYO orchestras was
also greatly appreciated.
2017 will focus on program expansion, wider audience exposure, continuous process improvement,
and looking at various funding options in order to keep the member fees affordable.
Gavin Kellett
MFC Treasurer
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & THANK YOU’S
Music for Canberra wishes to thank everyone who has enriched our music community this
year. Without the support in all its forms, financial, attendance, transporting to and from
lessons and rehearsals,
Grants and funding
Arts ACT
Donors
Snow Foundation
Corporate & community partners
Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centre
ANU School of Music
ANU Friends of the School of Music
Music for Canberra Community
There was so much achieved in 2016 and great thanks to the talented and dedicated staff at
Music For Canberra who continued to develop and work for wonderful students and
fabulous music outcomes. We wish to sincerely thank all the wonderful volunteers from our
board to ensemble managers and parent helpers for their generous and tireless work in
2016. We also were thrilled to work with some amazing people with big hearts who
continually help MFC move mountains for the love of music and provide great experiences
to our members. To our dedicated members, thank you for your diligent work and artistic
offerings in 2016 and we look forward to an exciting year in 2017.
HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Music for Canberra is keen to continually improve and you can help in the following ways!
Become a member
All students at Music for Canberra become members when they enrol in a course of study,
whether individual or group tuition, or as part of an ensemble. Membership prices are
available on the website at http://musicforcanberra.org.au/membership .
Membership fees are charged as part of your first invoice along with class fees.
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Volunteer your time
Music for Canberra has a team of wonderful volunteers who understand and are committed
to assisting staff provide the best learning and performance experiences for our musicians.
If you are enthusiastic, have proven organisational skills, have a reputation for reliability and
would like to contribute to a talented and dedicated team, then contact the Music for
Canberra Office on 6182 0030 and discover how you can be a part of something special.
Make a donation
Music for Canberra is a not for profit organisation and relies on generous support from Arts
ACT and the Snow Foundation. Information regarding how to make a donation to assist the
work of Music For Canberra will be distributed to our members shortly via the newsletter,
and information will be available on our website.
Support an event or fundraising activity
Subscribe to the Music for Canberra Newsletter to find out the latest projects that you can
be a part of. Supporting Music for Canberra can be financial, attendance, donation of
services and other creative ideas. If you have an idea and would love to be a part of the
creative process and outcome, express your ideas and interest via email at
Sponsorship Opportunities
Details of sponsorship opportunities will be coming soon. To register your interest in
sponsoring Music for Canberra or an ensemble, please contact CEO Kathleen Grant at
Other ways you can help our cause
We love to receive feedback and great ideas. Write to [email protected] with
any news, ideas and feedback to help improve our product and the learning and
performance experiences for our musicians.
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CONTACT US
Music for Canberra
30 Elouera Street
Braddon ACT 2612
02 6182 0030
www.musicforcanberra.org,au
facebook/musicforcanberra