Operating Support
ACHF Arts Access
Cantus works collaboratively with schools, arts organizations, and community organizations in order to encourage people to participate in the community building and inspiring act of singing. Cantus continues to work with one Twin Cities arts organization each year in a collaborative project and three Minnesota high schools. Activities within the High School Residency Program are evaluated on an on-going basis using questionnaires and direct responses from high school choral directors. The Cantus education outreach coordinator (a singer) is in contact with directors throughout the school year to ensure that the particular issues that each choir faces are being addressed by Cantus coaching. Success for the All Is Calm production with Theater Latte Da and Hennepin Theater Trust is measured on ticket sales as well as audience response and internal artistic reviews. In December 2012, the production enjoyed its highest sales ever, including three sold-out performances. Two songs were added to the production this year, and audience and artistic response was enthusiastic about the changes. 2: Cantus pulls back the curtain on how its art form is created in order to enhance public understanding of the value of the arts. Cantus will make at least twenty rehearsals each year open to the public and provide easy-to-find information on how the public can attend at no charge. Cantus evaluates the success of open rehearsals based on attendance and general interest from participants.
Cantus worked with three area high schools in fiscal year 2013 as part of its High School Residency program: Chanhassen, Braham and Minneapolis Southwest. The program served 180 students in a year-long residency that included in school visits and coaching, a festival day to bring all three schools together for rehearsals and workshops, and a final concert performed at Ted Mann Concert Hall. Cantus also worked with Theater Latte Da and Hennepin Theater Trust in a national tour and local production run of All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. 2: Cantus scheduled and hosted 14 open rehearsals. The schedule was promoted through our print program at concerts, social media, and on our Web site. Average attendance was 20. We have seen a slow increase in the number of attendees at each session. In previous years the average audience was 8-12; in fiscal year 2013 we have seen groups as large as 35. Attendees were greeted by the executive director and a board member, and told that they are welcome to come as often as they would like. As a result, there are many who came several times during the year, often bringing new friends each time. We consider open rehearsals to be most successful when there is a lively question and answer period. Since Cantus works without a music director, discussion frequently started there. Other questions have been about leadership and decision-making, technical questions about vowels and consonants, or even about touring and other areas of professional life.
Other
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