CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY

A Committee Meeting was held on 4 March 2011 at 1 pm in the Faculty of Music Boardroom

Present

Executive Officers: Richard Andrewes (RA),  Josh Borin (JB), Stephen Cleobury (SC), Rachel Croft (RC), Chloe Davidson (CD), Maggie Heywood (MH), Thomas Neal (TN), Michael Sharp (MS), Nick Shaw (NS), Rachel Thomas (RT), Sarah Yetman (SY)

Co-opted members: Simon Fairclough (SF), Chris Lawrence (CL), Jo Whitehead (JW)

Observer: Ned Booker (NB)

Simon Fairclough was in the Chair.  Christine Skeen took the minutes.

NB was introduced to the committee as RC's successor.

1.  Apologies were received from Martin Ennis, Caroline Goulder, Paul Nicholson, John Willan.

2.  Minutes of the last meeting were approved.

3.  Matters arising

a. CUCO: JB reported that RT was likely to be the new administrative assistant, paid £4k for 400 hours. John Dumbrill,  leader of the cellos, was to be President. A committee of four or five orchestra members would make suggestions on artistic matters, assist RT in finding instrumentalists, and help in various ways including setting up, clearing up, distributing posters.   Replying to CL, JB said that section leaders would probably not have responsibility for individuals in their section, as they did in CUMS I, as the orchestra was smaller.   There was a job description for the new post, and JW suggested the committee refer to it in reviewing CUCO's progress in a year's time.  He stressed that we should anticipate and prepare for things that might go wrong, and plan a programme a year ahead. Programming should be on the agenda for the committee meeting at the end of Michaelmas term.  Action: JB. There was some discussion about division of responsibility between RT and CUCO's committee. JB cited concern over the possibility that the new president's keenness  may not be so evident as exams loomed.  SF and CL strongly supported the view that CUCO should be student-run as much as possible. The committee should drive CUCO, the President having ultimate responsibility and working alongside RT and others from CUMS to the best advantage. JB also said that very recently several players had pulled out. Players should plan not to miss a rehearsal, emergencies apart, otherwise give enough notice for replacements to be found.  JW suggested inviting John Dumbrill to the next committee meeting with a draft paper of propositions for him to talk through. JB would also try to find one or two other very keen members Action: JB 

b.  Lunchtime concerts: TN had recruited next year's committee of Will Cole, Karys Orman and Oliver Pashley; a total of  five would be preferable and the new committee would be responsible for recruiting additional members as needed.  CL said he would personally welcome four or five more concerts after Easter, though TN thought very few would wish to perform.  CL suggested tapping the alumni and postgraduate groups for this and JW said a 20 week season was something to consider.  CD would speak to George about booking West Road every Tuesday during termtime for the next 5 years. JW said Will Cole should be asked to provide a plan for the system of applications by the  first meeting of next term so that this committee could see what was in mind.  Action: CD, TN

c.  CUMS II: SY reported poor attendance at one rehearsal when about 15 failed to attend with no notice.  A change of name from CUMS II  had been discussed amongst the whole orchestra, resulting in an overwhelming preference for CUMS Philharmonia. This led to the question of renaming CUMS I.  It would be good to have a decision made by the summer, for implementation from September.  CD reminded the committee that it was important that the public was aware that CUMS II wasn't CUMS I or CUCO – and that it didn't aspire to such standards. Further discussion was needed, and  suggestions were invited.  Action: all. SY  would like the orchestra to participate in Freshers' Fair; perhaps hold an entire weekend of rehearsals, sectionals and social events;  to have people voted in rather than volunteer, and to have more information on the website - this last to be discussed next term.  Action: SY.  SY was generally very pleased with progress made, and JW  offered congratulations on their achievements on behalf of the committee.

4.  Sir Keith Stuart and Handel House: SF and JW had met Keith Stuart in London regarding his chairing a short-term working party to examine legal aspects and governance and funding of CUMS.  It was hoped to include on this a head of house, banker, lawyer and a representative of the Union Society, which had recently gone through the process of re-constituting as a registered charity.  RT was investigating the necessity of CUMS becoming a charity from the perspective of potential trust funders.

(RC left the meeting)

The Handel House event had been a great success and was rated good value for money by those who attended. Rachel Stroud, Sean Heath, Kate Conway  and Ashley Riches were very good as performers, and  JW extended his appreciation to CD for her work in organising the event.  A similar event was planned for November 8 at Bob Boas' house, 22 Mansfield St London, which could hold four times as large an audience.  This would again be hand-picked in part, and SF invited suggestions for invitees. Action: all

5.  Long term plan:  a draft paper had been previously distributed and JW summarised  the main aim of making CUMS a top-quality musical organisation at the heart of university music-making. The objectives at the end of the paper would form the action plan, for example fundraising.

(NB left the meeting)

SF said Tim Brown had spoken to him about the Cambridge University Consort of Voices and the chamber choir.  Martin Ennis had spoken to the proctors who had disbanded the chamber choir, so that name was available for new use. Tim Brown suggested taking it under the CUMS umbrella, ideally in a new form next year.  JB welcomed the idea: CUCO would be interested in links with a chamber choir.  SC said that with a chamber orchestra it was sensible for CUMS  to have a chamber choir also.  It could provide reinforcement for the existing chorus as well as replacements when necessary. Problems could arise when older members left; the chorus did not have many new young recruits. It was not unusual for large choirs, in the USA for example, to have professional reinforcements. Speaking as a member of the chamber choir, RT thought it unlikely that students would wish to reinforce the chorus for no payment, and given shortage of time.  This needed discussion, but JW said it was desirable to extend the CUMS umbrella thus, and a plan should be put together with Tim Brown on specifics.  Conductors were to be chosen, probably a variety over the course of each year, with Tim Brown to oversee. Action: SF, Tim Brown to draw up plan

AOB: NS asked whether we should seek one permanent advertiser for the season brochure or programmes.  SF advised against this certainly for the brochure as one can get more from corporate sponsors for particular events.

The meeting closed at 14.08