CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY


A Committee Meeting was held on 19 Feb, 2010 at 1 pm in the Music School.


Present

Executive Officers: Richard Andrewes (RA), Rachel Croft (RC), Chloe Davidson (CD), Caroline Goulder (CG), Maggie Heywood (MH), Nick Shaw (NS), Emma Smith (ES), Simon Smart (SS), Angie White (AW), Chris Lawrence (CL), Helen Taylor (HT)


Co-opted members: 

Simon Fairclough (SF), John Willan (JWi), Jo Whitehead (JWh)


Simon Fairclough was in the Chair. Jo Whitehead took the minutes.


1. Apologies were received from Martin Ennis, Christine Skeen, Jennifer Howells, Paul Nicholson, Stephen Cleobury, John Barber, Robert Culshaw


2. Minutes of the last meeting were agreed.


3. Matters arising: The chorus planning committee has met. There were no other significant matters arising.


4. Artistic planning committee update. JWi updated the committee further, presenting an updated programme. The main issue preventing finalising the programme was to resolve whether Martin Yates would be working with CUMS. RC suggested an update to the CUWO programme – with CUMS II and CUWO presenting a concert together in the summer of 2011. MH also suggested that CUMS II might perform earlier in the term. CG raised concerns about knowing about conductor preferences in advance, assessing the budget implications and trying to involve Cambridge alumni as soloists. SF commented that the key was to be flexible and that it can be a good idea to spend money for certain events. Action: RC and ES to resolve the best date for a CUMS II/CUWO concert and to inform Jennifer Howells to cancel the unused date. ES to review the question of the time in the term when CUMS II should perform, after this term’s experience with more concentrated rehearsals. JWh to clarify the contracting situation with JH, CG and CD. JWi to set up a Planning committee meeting, with JWh and NS present, to create a revised programme and budget for the next few years which can be updated as more information is available. NS and JWh to prepare a budget in advance of the meeting


Chorus planning update. CG presented. There are still uncertainties about the Philharmonia Orchestra’s availability and whether it would be in Lent or November. There is also uncertainty about whether we will have an opportunity to sing an unperformed work by Vaughan Williams. The plan is to perform with CUMS I in Summer 2011. The chorus hopes to put together a chamber orchestra for a Handel Oratorio. Action: CG to meet with the chorus planning committee to update the plan and pass this to JWi to integrate into the overall plan. 


5. Update on second phase of constitutional change (see note previously circulated) (JWh). JWh presented a brief description of the proposed constitutional changes. RC commented that it would be better to include representatives from the ensembles rather than student conductors as they are more likely to attend. Action: JWh will circulate a draft constitution and meet with a small group (perhaps to include NS and RC) before bringing something to the committee

6. CUMS II update (ES). Rehearsals have not started yet.

7. CUMC update (AB/RA). There has been a meeting, including representatives from Kettle’s Yard and the Instrumental Awards scheme, to discuss CUMC. As a result, the name may not be retained. The plan is to try a lunchtime series on a Tuesday for next year. JWh suggested that we need a special marketing campaign. CL mentioned that we should include it in the CUMS brochure. AW suggested that we need to think about the length of the concert e.g., a 45 minute time slot might be best, starting after 1.00 pm and finishing before 2.00 pm. Prices were discussed – they need to reflect the competition and the 45 minute time slot. SF suggested printing a lot of flyers. RA raised the issue of a management committee and who should be on it. He also raised the issue of how performers should be selected. Should we use the CUMS concerto competition? Maybe this process needs to be refined after the launch of the series. The principle should be that a position is appointed on merit – but we can use the current processes to support anything CUMC does e.g., the Instrumental Awards Scheme. The initial Committee will include Andrew Browning, CL, MH, and RA initially. Action: A revised plan to be presented at the next committee meeting by at least the “group of 4” – seeking to address the issues raised.

8. Marketing and fundraising support (JWh). JWh proposed that we hire an apprentice to work under Chloe’s guidance to provide support particularly in the area of marketing and fundraising. Action: CD to draw up a job description, advertise the job and recruit someone – probably a current student who will be leaving at the end of this year and wants to stay in Cambridge. CD will ask for support in doing this, as needed.

9. Update on Martin Yates (JWi). Martin Yates’ CV was presented.

10. Development committee update (SF).  This will meet on March 1st. We will seek to get the most out of the person we have hired.

11. Nominations committee update (SF). Action: JW to circulate a list of those under current consideration

12. Any other business. 

There were some complaints about the AGM Action: JWh to draw up some guidelines for future AGMs. 

NS mentioned that he will start putting pressure on suppliers to submit invoices in a timely fashion.

HT mentioned that there will be a chorus Celidh on the 6th March to which members of the society are invited. She will email the ensembles to publicise it.


The meeting closed at 14:10