Operating Support Grant

A strategic plan was developed in 2018 by the BOD with the assistance of Propel Nonprofits. Board committees were aligned so each monitors one strategic priority. For example, a committee met with the conductor and reviewed the strategic plan. An outcome was a concert with strings students. Surveys are collected at each concert and student, parent and musician surveys are conducted annually. Evaluation is taken seriously and data is used to make small and large changes. In 2015, an improvement plan for the director of string instruction was implemented and he was eventually dismissed initiated by parent evaluations and feedback. In February of 2019, IOSP completed a program evaluation and planning process as described below in the INY activities. Kowitz and Mattonen mapped out action steps by month with specific activities for them. Actions taken include conducting school outreach in the spring, student handbook and a field trip in a time of the year identified as low energy. Surveys are collected at each concert and a concert report is shared with the board. Parent, student and musician surveys are conducted annually and used to guide programming. Our programs are progressive and match an individual’s skill level. Kowitz’s training in Music Pedagogy provides a foundation for designing curriculum. She has revised our student curriculum guide which provides a framework for teaching and orchestra placement. For example, to advance to our third level, students must be able to tune their instrument and play notes in second position. While the curriculum is defined, teachers are sensitive to the individual and make adjustments. 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 long and short term goals and mapping out plans of action towards these goals IOSP provides a benefit by providing opportunities to hear, learn and perform orchestral music in Itasca County. Hear ISO makes orchestral music accessible to residents in a rural area. Financial support allows us to offer concerts at an affordable price of under $20/ticket. Opportunities for free performances are available including the Concordia Orchestra/ISP concert in October 2019.Feedback on surveys as well as the fact that we have almost 100 annual donations tells us that we are valued by the public. We provide outreach to area schools each year. Annually we send requests to six elementary schools offering to hold individual classroom visits with a short performance and a chance for students to try an instrument. Some schools elect to have a group presentation. In addition, we perform in the community. For example, in 2018 The Artaria Quartet performed at three area grade schools and held a free public concert with ISP students as part of a residency project. Learn Students travel to participate in our program because there are no other orchestra programs in Itasca County. This year we had a student join from Bemidji (69 miles away) because she had advanced beyond her violin teacher’s ability to teach after six years of instruction. Their parent evaluation form stated “I can see how our daughter progressed in not only technical skill, but in working with others in an orchestra to create music together. ISP is an excellent program, and we're glad to be a part of it.” This feedback