Art Project
Copland/Bernstein Festival
John White: writer, photographer, retired journalist; Marilee Strom: musician, former art teacher, business owner; Kathy Fransen: musician, theatre, Rhythm of the River coordinator; Janet Olney: visual artist, Willmar Area Arts Council coordinator; Joyce Meyer: photographer, retired art teacher, Canby Arts Council; Kate Aydin: retired educator; Paula Nemes: musician, librarian, former coordinator of Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, Marshall Area Stage Company; Tom Wirt: artist, owner Clay Coyote Gallery, Hutchinson Center for the Arts, past member Hutchinson Public Arts Commission; Susan Marco: writer, former HS English/creative writing teacher; Kelly Muldoon: graphic artist, Prairie Music Association, Prairie Oasis Players; Dan Wahl: writer, visual artist, director, adjunct English instructor at Southwest Minnesota State University; Cindy Reverts: visual artist, Rock County Fine Arts Association treasurer, Council for Arts in Humanities in Rock County; Dana Johnson: producer/filmmaker; Brett Lehman: Worthington International Festival, Worthington City Band, Worthington Concert Association; Reggie Gorter: vocalist, theatre, voice/dance teacher; Scott Tedrick: journalist, Granite Falls Riverfront Revitalization, theatre director/actor.
Mike Hulsizer: actor/theatre director; Deb Larson: visual artist; Reggie Gorter: vocalist, theatre, voice/dance teacher; Paula Nemes: musician, librarian, former coordinator of Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, Marshall Area Stage Company; Kathy Schaefer: musician, photographer, Southwest Minnesota State University business professor; Judy Marquardt: visual artist, theatre.
Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, Greta Murray (507) 537-1471
ACHF Arts Access
The purpose of this project is to celebrate the lives, music, and cultural contributions of Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein and bring their music to a southwest Minnesota audience that would likely not have access to such performances. Measurable goals include: 1) Attracting an audience of at least 200 people to the Finale Concert; 2) Attracting audiences of at least 25 individuals to the Panel Discussion and 100 individuals to the Chamber Music Concert; 3) Attracting at least 100 total audience members who have never attended or rarely attend Southwest Minnesota State University Music events; and 4) Sharing the music of Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein with at least 100 total audience members who have never heard a live performance of their music. Total audience numbers will be tracked by ushers, program counts, and ticket sales for the Finale Concert. A survey will be included in the programs from each of the events and audience members will be encouraged to share their thoughts on the festival. The survey includes questions that gauge audience members' previous concert attendance (project goal 3) and their experience with the music of Copland and Bernstein (project goal 4).
Of the 59 surveys completed, 45 indicated that they were regular attendees of Southwest Minnesota State University Music Program events. 9 reported that they attend occasionally. 4 responded that they rarely attend these events, and 1 person reported that this was the first Southwest Minnesota State University Music Program event they have ever attended. We hoped that the festival and our publicity would generate interest among new audience members. Unfortunately, because the surveys were not distributed during the event, it is difficult to ascertain if this happened except through anecdotal evidence (of which there is at least some evidence that this happened). However, the second focus of the survey yielded very positive results. Although 23 respondents reported that they have seen other live performances of the music of Bernstein and Copland; 24 had only heard recordings. Therefore, this was a new experience for them. Furthermore, 12 people reported that this was basically the first time they had ever heard the music of Copland and Bernstein other than as part of commercials or TV/film. We believe that this is an important achievement, and we believe that had the surveys been distributed as planned, there would have been similar or greater positive results.
Other, local or private