Cambridge University Musical Society CUMS
Committee Meeting
Thursday, 12th October 2006, 13:05
Recital Room, West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge
Agenda:
Apologies
Chairman Election
Co-options
Minutes of the last meeting
Matters arising
Chairman's outlook for the year
800th Anniversary
Treasurer's report
Proposal for choir tour with YAC
update on alumni association meeting
Convernors' reports
a.o.b.
1. Apologies
Richard Andrewes, Julian Black, Ben Chewter, Dan Hill, Lottie Greenhow, Emily Taylor, Giles Reid.
Present: John Barber (JB), Charlotte Barker (CB), Stephen Cleobury (SC), George Corbett (GC), Simon Fairclough (SF), Chris Ford (CF), Mark Galtrey (MG), Brandon Green (BG), Jacob Head (JH), Maggie Heywood (MH), Fiona Jacques (FJ), Robert Nimmo (RN), Claire Pike (CP), Christine Schmalz (CS), Michael Sharp (MS), Jo Whitehead (JW).
Agenda item number 6, chairman's outlook for the year, was taken before agenda item number 2.
2. Chairman's outlook for the year
Adress by SF, chairman:
Overall purpose of CUMS is to serve a number of stakeholders, such as: the members of the Society, the members of the university, the people of Cambridge, the alumni of the Society, the alumni of the University of Cambridge, most broadly the University of Cambridge as a whole.
Specific purpose of CUMS in everyday activities: to produce music of the highest quality possible, to foster talents of members of the Society and University of Cambridge.
To achieve both overall and specific purpose, Society needs to function on three levels:
Executive level
General administration of Society, treasury, publicity, recruitment etc.
Artistic level
Artistic leadership of SC together with assistant conductors to produce challenging artistic programme for Society
Strategic level
Safeguarding of the Society's long term future, esp. financial. Role of Chairman SF and vice-chairman JW to work on strategic level.
Achievements on strategic level: increasing engagement with other University musicians, collaboration with University and faculty of music (resulting e.g. in new CUMS office space in faculty building, good relations with members of faculty and faculty admin), appointment of new Secretary.
However, double position of chairman and vice-chairman raises some constitutional issues. Therefore proposal by SF to elect one chairman at the present meeting, and discuss further at next meeting.
Action: all
3. Co-options
Co-opted members JB, SF, CP, MS, JW leave the room.
In SF's absence, MH takes chair of meeting.
MH: 7 co-options allowed by constitution. All co-opted members stand for re-co-option. JB, SF, CP, MS, JW proposed for co-option by SC, seconded by CB. JB, SF, CP, MS, JW unanimously co-opted.
General point raised by SC: occasional personnel changes in co-opted members benefit organisation of Society, and prevent committee from becoming self-perpetuating group.
Newly co-opted members JB, SF, CP, MS, and JW are invited back into room and informed of their co-option.
4. Chairman's election
Candidate: Simon Fairclough
SF leaves the room. MH retains chair.
SF proposed for election by JB, seconded by FJ. Unanimously elected.
SF invited back into the room and informed of election. SF regains chair.
5. Minutes of the previous meeting
No corrections or amendments. Minutes signed by SF.
6. Matters arising
JH: all percussion ordered has arrived, sounding excellent.
RN: last minute programme changes problematic for ordering and hiring music. Changes to be made known as soon as possible.
7: chairman's plan for the year
Main dilemma of Society is to hold the balance between artistic ambition and financial limitation. The plan for the year has to successfully hold this balance
Point raised by CP: could finances benefit from potential double performance of a concert? Point taken and to be considered.
Point raised by JH: are there any guarantees against loss in a concert? Could we get underwriting from Societies' syndicate for such a purpose?
Action on both points: CF, JH, SF to discuss together
Point raised by CS: changes might be initiated and made in administrative running of, and organisation of, the ensembles to alleviate work load for the Secretary, and increase involvement of ensemble members where desired and necessary.
Action: CS and ensemble representatives
Report by SF on meeting of artistic leadership team, consisting of SC, SF, Christopher Robinson, Geoffrey Webber, Tim Brown. Purpose of this group to produce specific artistic ideas to be put in glossy brochure detailing the future of CUMS for 800th anniversary, as well as develop medium term plans for period of next five years, e.g. visiting conductors, commissions, coaching etc. Also to discuss each of the four CUMS ensembles in turn, as each of the ensembles have their own identity, aspirations, and issues, e.g. chorus: demographics, CUMS I attendance and student involvement, etc. Artistic leadership team to discuss each of the ensembles in detail, and report back to main committee.
Action: SF, SC and artistic leadership team
8. Cambridge 800th anniversary
Two ideas put forward by SC:
Performance of Mahler 8, first in approx. ten years, in conjunction with CUCO, CUMS chorus, smaller chapel choirs. Envisage performances in Ely cathedral and Royal Albert Hall.
CUMS to commission a major new work by a major composer. SC in contact with potential candidate but cannot reveal name at present.
Action: SC
Idea put forward by John Galtrey:
Recital series by distinguished CUMS alumni?
Idea put forward by George Corbett:
Within CUMS programme for anniversary year, include composers who have conducted CUMS
9. Treasurer's Report
Amount still left from Tsunami Relief concert: £2000. To be given away to suitable charity. Suggestions to be communicated to CF.
Action: all
10. YAC Choir tour idea
YAC propose to go on tour with CUMS. JW propose CS and Paul Fray of the chorus to form subcommittee to look into this. Destination as yet unclear, possibly Europe. CUMS alumni potentially to be invited to join for tour.
Point raised by SC: possible performance, as part of King's College Summer School, of Dream of Gerontius, celebrating Elgar's 150th anniversary, in July. Members of CUMS chorus to be invited for this performance.
Action: SC, CS and Paul Fray
11. Update on alumni organisation.
Latest suggestion is to work together with Cambridge University Alumni Organisation. Links in process of being built.
12. Convenor reports
FJ: Zephyr to go to National concert band festival, costs £60 (not sure I understood this correctly, CS)
CB: CUMS II off to very successful start, sounding good
GC: CUMS I sounding great
13. a.o.b.
None
The meeting closed at 14.05.