CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY

Executive Officers: Mark Austin (MA), John Barber (JB), Stephen Cleobury (SC), Rachel Croft (RC), Martin Ennis (ME), Chris Ford (CF), Joseph Fort (JF), Mark Galtrey (MG), Brandon Green (BG), Dan Hill (DH), Jennifer Howells (JH), Emily Taylor (ET)

Co-opted Members: Richard Andrewes (RA), Simon Fairclough (SF), Caroline Goulder (CG), Chris Lawrence (CL), Claire Pike (CP), Michael Sharp (MS), Jo Whitehead (JW)

12 October: CUMS I attendance: DH said commitment was vital. Baldur Bronniman would need to rehearse with good players at each rehearsal for the Messiaen in March. Many external engagements could often be foreseen and if sufficient notice of absence was given, replacement players could be found, but occasions arose e.g. funerals, which could not. SC said pressure of work and exams were not valid excuses, being largely a matter of time management. He suggested the committee authorise a letter to be drawn up stating its wish to operate a policy of stringent attendance and incorporating guidance on expectations. RA and BG suggested it should start on a positive note, citing the forthcoming Verdi Requiem's success due to better rehearsals, and CL suggested stating a required time for notice of absence. It should be signed by SC, DH and SF and go out before 22 Jan, the first Turangalila rehearsal.

4. Programme update: Maggie Heywood had spoken to SF about the next Come & Sing in September 2008. She would like help with organising an orchestra. After some discussion CL offered to approach the Cambridge Philharmonic

Week of 3 March: SF asked JF if she would fix a Saturday for the Prime Brass/CUMS Chorus concert. CL said 7 March was an option for Prime Brass. He added that we might wish to consider using an organ other than that at OLEM, therefore that venue was deleted.

March 12: Mark Elder was unavailable for this concert. MA wondered whether back-up options could be found. SF said Peter Stark was often available but JH should get a shortlist. SC's experience was that agents normally presented about six options so that JH did not need to worry about having several outstanding invitations.

RC said that after playing in Oxford next month, Zephyr would invite Oxford here. Trinity College Chapel could be booked free of charge through their music society.

CL raised the question of themes in programming and whether every ensemble could be involved. SF said negotiations would need to be made with the ensemble conductors. BG said the Zephyr would like to perform a large work, perhaps with Prime Brass. JW thought it valuable to advise conductors on pieces to perform, but that it would not be helpful to constrain them by imposing thematic programming.

SC had provisionally booked 14 November 2008 for the Philharmonia to return to King's College Chapel - although funding had to be arranged. He asked whether CUMS would like to be involved. JW replied very positively especially given the last enjoyable concert with them.

Fundraising: SF said the new CUMS Supporters' Circle would be launched at the Verdi concert on 19 January (2008). It would replace the existing groups of donors. CS briefly explained the new levels of donation. SF said about seventy guests had been invited as potential high net-worth donors, and for the first time, representatives of six of the richest Cambridge colleges. Information about the scheme would be posted on CUMS' website after 19 January. Action: CS

6. Chorus planning: JW said the aim was to improve quality without losing a large percentage of members, and for consistency a chorus director was needed. He suggested a sub-committee be established, including student members and those on the committee who were chorus members, to report back at end of term with their findings.

SF asked whether the committee approved this establishment, and asked for volunteers. It did, and there were six - JB, CG, CP, MS, CS, JW

SF wondered how to manage the involvement of members of the main Chorus in the Festival Chorus. For example, the audition form could have three boxes - main, semi and festival chorus. CP asked whether the division between the two choruses would also be socially divisive, JW said that members able to join the Festival Chorus should not be penalised on those grounds. However, this was something for the sub-committee to discuss.