Operating Support
ACHF Arts Access
Increase access to music education and performance. Outcomes include an increase in students in the East Metro having access to an orchestral education, Philharmonia East enrollment growth, reintroduction of the revamped Rising Harmonies program, and reaching more underserved audiences through the community concert series. Through survey responses and information collected throughout the year, we analyze data which helps us assess enrollment and retention trends, student demographics, demand for scholarships, and audience attendance. This data is all important in measuring our effectiveness at increasing access for students and audiences alike. 2: Develop well-rounded students. Outcomes include students learning valuable skills, such as discipline, respect, and accountability through rehearsals; and excellence and community awareness through performances. Students will learn and grow through new student leadership roles and alumni-student mentorship opportunities. Qualitative data about student development comes in the form of feedback from discussions at parent meetings, student focus groups, and conversations with music educators, as well as frequent surveys. Information gleaned in those settings helps us identify what skills students learn in Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, and their level of satisfaction on things which we can compare and track from year to year. Year-end surveys ask students about their satisfaction with Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies' programs as well as their perceived development as musicians and individuals. Students ranked their personal progress related to music and other skills in the following areas: technical skills, ensemble/listening skills, sight-reading skills, musical phrasing/expression, how to watch a conductor, how to practice, music history, music theory, discipline, teamwork, responsibility, time management, respect, and leadership. On average, 77% of responding 2012-13 students said they were satisfied to highly-satisfied with their growth in these areas.
Student enrollment grew by 10.5% overall during our 2012-13 season and participation in our East Metro programs grew by 26%. We attribute program growth to focused efforts to make our programs accessible and provide the highest caliber artistic experience. We've actively increased outreach for need-based scholarships, and we've heightened the artistic quality of our programs through top-quality conductors and new educational and performance opportunities. After careful consideration, we decided to focus our resources on our core programming last season and did not reintroduce our Rising Harmonies program. We are currently updating our strategic plan and based on stakeholder input, we will reevaluate the feasibility of a similar program. We had record concert attendance during our 2012-13 season, with total audiences of 10,000. We introduced a new free family concert at the Ordway Center for Music in April 2013 which was filled to capacity and engaged children in music education. 2: New last season, each orchestra had a special project which deepened students' community connections and educational experience while providing unique opportunities for audiences. Projects included a community service project with Second Harvest Heartland as well as collaborations with notable musicians including Indie Music Award winner Brian Wicklund and Minnesota Orchestra violinist Michael Sutton. Also new, 13 graduate students from the University of Minnesota's School of Music served as mentors for Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies' high school Symphony students. Mentors were present at rehearsals, lead sectionals, and served as peer role models, adding a valuable component to students' learning experience and development as musicians. Student leadership roles in each orchestra included: Student Musicologist, Library Aide, Community Service Coordinator, School Liaison, Audition Aide, and Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies Ambassadors. By working with Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies staff and peers as volunteers, students build confidence and valuable experience.
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