Operating Support Grant

Surprisingly, we received a lot of feedback for our virtual concert. We received emails, social media comments and even phone calls to tell us how happy they were that we made the concerts available online. They were very impressed with the quality of the production and the concert. Based on feedback, we will continue producing our concerts. Similarly, there was additional feedback about the strings program as lessons could not be held in the schools. On weeks that we could have in person lessons I had conversations with parents which resulted in richer feedback than the surveys. A year end student survey shaped the format of next year including scheduling and increased contact hours and the corresponding price increase. Annually our program is observed by through INY (A UofM extension program). We scored high and constructive feedback was acted on. Example-The observer recommended stating one item of learning prior to and following the lesson to help students solidify learning. Surveys are normally collected at each concert and a concert report is shared with the board. Parent, student musician surveys are conducted annually and used to guide programming. Our programs are progressive and match an individual's skill level. A curriculum guide provides a framework for teaching and orchestra placement. Students receive progress reports in the spring and fall. They are scored on 14 criteria. Comments include relevant feedback to encourage the student and include a student goal. These tools allow us to determine if students are progressing as expected. ISOP is active in Itasca Networks for Youth (INY) a collaboration staffed by U of M Extension to improve the quality of youth after-school activities. Through this program ISP participates in an extensive annual program review including: 1) external program observation and written assessment 2) a review observation assessment and goals 3) A Program Review workshop to help make meaning from data including the observation assessment 4) an Intentional Program Design workshop including the establishment of goals and mapping out plans of action towards these goals. At the end of August we held an integrative music camp for the first time. We plan to take time to ask the students to give verbal feedback the last day of camp. Volunteers and the instructors have offered suggestions for improvement. We have written those down and will ask for additional feedback at the conclusion of the camp. Hear ISO makes orchestral music accessible to residents in a rural area. Opportunities for free performances are available including the Third Coast Chamber Collective Chamber Music Festival. In addition, performances were professionally produced and made available for public viewing. Our holiday strings performance had over 500 views on You Tube and was aired on public access television. Audio was played on two local radio stations. Our May concert was also made publicly available locally and will likely be aired on MPR. Learn Students travel to participate in our program because there are no other orchestra programs in Itasca County. Oviedo and Sas are very skillful instructors and performers. A parent wrote ?The love that Pedro has for music and teaching is real, honest and inspiring.? Concertmaster Mary LaPlant had a lesson from him which resulted in a marked improvement in her performance. She said ?I am fortunate to be able to learn from him.? We were very concerned about the affordability of the program given the economic challenges to families during the Covid-19 pandemic. We initiated and were very successful in a fundraising effort for low income scholarship funds. We have a healthy reserve and have already awarded six scholarships for this coming year. Perform We are valued as a place that local musicians of varying abilities can perform. This year broad participation was difficult . Our concert plans changed several times. December was a short strings only recording, February had one instrume