January 13, 2008
Dear CMM Performing Artist,
This is a new letter. Please take the time to read it, because there are significant changes from the letter sent out last year. This letter addresses most issues I see regarding the recitals each year: changes of personnel, honorarium issues, program printing, rehearsals, cancellations, communication, and other issues. CMM is happy to have YOUR recital as part of our exciting Wednesday Recital Series for 2008-2009!
I am very happy to communicate with anyone at any time on matters concerning your recital. I will assume that whomever I speak with or write to will communicate clearly with all fellow performers in your concert. Please do not assume that I will do that for you.
I will be glad to answer questions via telephone or email, but email is preferable. PROGRAM INFORMATION MUST BE EXCHANGED VIA EMAIL. There will be a three week deadline for us to receive your information. We will then make a program, photocopy it, and bring it to the museum for distribution. Please send all program information to BOTH PEOPLE BELOW:
Levy, Richard
rlevy1@twcny.rr.com
Spradling, John
johnspradling@verizon.net
Richard will primarily be the program maker, and I will be happy to assist you with questions you may have. I will post the following instructions on the CMM website, found at
civicmorningmusicals.org
I'm looking forward to our exciting 2007-2008 Series!
Sincerely,
John Spradling
President, CMM
Program
Chair, CMM
(315)424-3984
Basic
Information for CMM Wednesday Recital Series
Performers
Please read carefully!
RECITAL
LENGTH - Your program
should 35 to 45 minutes maximum. Please try to not go
over 45 minutes. Time your repertoire!
PRINTED
PROGRAMS - A "program"
consists of a folded 81/2X11 piece of paper with a title page
containing the CMM logo, an inside left page containing bio(s), an
inside right page listing recital content, and a back page containing
calendar of events, and an application blank for audience members who
wish to join CMM. It is imperative to us that those four
pages be present on your program, and we are the only ones who can
print all of that content. Therefore, we
are happy to prepare and photocopy the entire program.
- You
must send your repertoire and bio(s) no less than three weeks
before your recital to rlevy1@twcny.rr.com
and to johnspradling@verizon.net
The
information must be sent via email. Sending electronically
omits our retyping.
-
Bios: Please keep them brief. There is room for
about 300 words total.
-
Repertoire: Please list in order of performance, with correct dates,
opus numbers, composer names, and titles. Please do your own
proofreading!
- Photocopying: No photocopying is necessary. We do it all. However, should you desire translations or program notes, you must print these. About 75 copies should be enough.
REHEARSALS
- Should you desire a rehearsal in
the auditorium, call Stephanie Terrinoni at the Everson
(474-6064) to arrange a time exclusive for your use. Please
note that the Everson no longer allows auditorium access before 12:00
noon. Security personnel will take care of unlocking
and moving the piano.
PUBLICITY
- CMM handles basic
publicity, such as SU Culturaline, and Post-Standard calendar.
Years of experience show that the largest audiences are generated by
personal contact; mailings, and group emails done by the performers.
If you would like to do a bulk mailing of 200 or more pieces, you may
use CMM's bulk mail privileges to reduce your cost to approximately
12.5 cents per piece. Call Phil Eisenman or Gayle Ross at
699-5856 for information and instructions. You may arrange for
an interview on WCNY-FM in anticipation of your concert.
Contact Bill Baker or Don Dolloff at the station to set up an
interview time and date. Bill's preferred interview time is
around 12:00 noon; Don’s is later in the afternoon.
LOGISTICS - Dressing rooms and green room are located stage right. There is a toilet and sink, but no drinkable water. CMM owns a Steinway D and a Steinway B. The D and B will always be in prime condition. CMM tunes the pianos. The D is the default piano; should you wish to use the B, let John Spradling know at least one week in advance so he can notify our technician to prepare it for you. There is a microphone and podium, but standard procedure is to have it turned off due to acoustical issues with recording. There are two music stands and a few chairs available. CMM does not have the personnel to assist with load-ins, although there is a loading dock on the premises. Using the Hosmer acoustic panels - There are two rolling panels available for your use that are usually stored in the stage-left wing of the auditorium, and enhance the sound of certain ensembles. They are designed to be set up against the back wall of the stage in a V form with the apex of the V pointing out toward the piano and audience. The open aspect of the V is against the stage wall. This placement deflects sound reflection coming off the back wall into the sides of the auditorium, rather than allowing it all to go straight into the auditorium; a condition that has been known to facilitate ensemble communication. Some ensembles have also found a decorative rug under the piano useful in reducing reflected sound from the floor.
PERSONNEL - Your recital date on the Lunch Hour Series has been granted to the personnel listed on your application. Those are the names we publicize in all news media. Changes in, or additions to principal performers on the program are strongly discouraged. Please have all personnel in place NOW, so that the efforts of last minute publicity are not made in vain! You also do not want to risk a cancellation because at the last minute you cannot find an accompanist! If you change or add performers please e-mail John Spradling (424-3984) well in advance of your program.
PERFORMERS' HONORARIUM - Each performer will receive a $40 honorarium, provided they are paid members of CMM. In the case of choral groups or large numbers of people, directors will receive an honorarium. Please note that we need exact performer names in advance or your checks may not be ready. In the event that there are personnel changes, or where it's unclear whether a member has paid dues or not, CMM reserves the right to withhold membership dues, or to mail the honorarium check to the performer in question - so please make sure we know exactly who will be performing on your program.
We are truly excited that you will be performing on our 2007-08 Series, which promises to be a wonderful musical experience for all involved. The committee had a daunting task in paring down the number of applications to fit slots in the calendar. Once again, I recommend doing a personal mailing, group email, or contacting WCNY, who broadcasts this series, for an interview. Experience shows that the recitals with the largest audiences were personally publicized by the artists involved.
Sincerely,
John Spradling
President, CMM
Program Chair, CMM