Project Grant

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$8,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
In Progress
Start Date
August 2023
End Date
December 2023
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Benton
Benton
Project Overview

Project Grant

Project Details

CMYO students will study and perform music from ancient and legendary moments through the perspective of the composer.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications

Buddy King: CMAB Board Char, St Cloud Playwright, percussionist, teaching artist, engaged in numerous youth arts initiatives in the community; Joyce Lyons: CMAB Board Secretary, CMA actress, singer, educator, member of Buffalo Comm Orchestra Advisory Board; Denise Todd: CMAB Board Member, Dance Valdosta State University; U.S. Air Force Veteran, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst; undergraduate at St. Cloud State University pursuing a Major in Community Health; Jo McMullen-Boyer: CMAB Board Member, Station Manage of KVSC Radio, Grant writer, Music Concert Projucer, Community Events Organizer; Spencer Madsen: CMAB Board Member, Writer; educator; theatrical performer; aspiring filmmaker and visual artist; B.A. in English Education; M.A. in American Literature; orchardist at Clear Lake Cider; Gretchen Boulka: CMAB Board Member, Director of Performing Arts at Paramount Center for the Arts, arts administrator with background in development, special events, program management, marketing and communications; musician, member of the Association for Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) and on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Presenters Network;

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Buddy King: CMAB Board Char, St Cloud Playwright, percussionist, teaching artist, engaged in numerous youth arts initiatives in the community; Joyce Lyons: CMAB Board Secretary, CMA actress, singer, educator, member of Buffalo Comm Orchestra Advisory Board; Denise Todd: CMAB Board Member, Dance Valdosta State University; U.S. Air Force Veteran, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst; undergraduate at St. Cloud State University pursuing a Major in Community Health; Jo McMullen-Boyer: CMAB Board Member, Station Manage of KVSC Radio, Grant writer, Music Concert Projucer, Community Events Organizer; Spencer Madsen: CMAB Board Member, Writer; educator; theatrical performer; aspiring filmmaker and visual artist; B.A. in English Education; M.A. in American Literature; orchardist at Clear Lake Cider; Gretchen Boulka: CMAB Board Member, Director of Performing Arts at Paramount Center for the Arts, arts administrator with background in development, special events, program management, marketing and communications; musician, member of the Association for Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) and on the Board of Directors for Minnesota Presenters Network;

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Appropriation Language

ACHF Cultural Heritage

2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$8,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$4,405
Direct expenses
$12,405
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

CMYO plans to continue to offer more than in-person concert attendance by providing live streaming with the option to view at a later time. This should open more opportunities for family and friends who would usually find it difficult to attend. We will monitor attendance both online and in-person, plus evaluate how many viewed after the stream. The experience viewing options will be advertised prior to the concert via Facebook and Around the Cloud. Music will be selected, rehearsed, and performed to give light to the themes presented for this Fall. Students will study through the Discovery Class how composers create music imagery to tell stories. Additionally, this will include historical background on the composers' lives, their heritage, listening examples, and potentially performing pieces from Baroque to modern times. CMYO plans to go on a field trip to a symphony. Students will have an opportunity to discuss their views and perspectives on another way musicians make an impact. CMYO seeks ways to guide students to a new approach to how music influences life and understanding the demands and satisfaction of making powerful music come alive. We hope to see new audiences find our orchestra concept progressive that challenges the norm for orchestral experiences in the central Minnesota region. For returning audiences, we hope they will find pride in the work that has been accomplished since the beginning of the summer of 2013. Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra will increase the number of students who participate in our program compared to 2022/2023. Additionally, CMYO will target to retain at least (70%) of its student base. Out of 30 students, CMYO expects to maintain the current students under the current COVID situation. Since 2013, the student numbers have increased in student attendance in the beginning years. As of late, we are maintaining around 30 to 35 students per year. With changes in schools and recent cuts and the aftermath of COVID, we have seen a decline in attendance. We are engaging schools with the help of a newly appointed outreach coordinator to find ways that we can help advocate for their programs and continue our strategy for growth within a quality program. We expect the attendance to increase with the recent new changes in staffing and rebound after COVID. CMYO focuses on gaining numbers towards 35 to 45 students into the 2023-2024 season.

Source of Additional Funds

Other,local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Hans
Last Name
Mersinger
Organization Name
Central Minnesota Youth Orchestra
Street Address
606 Wilson Ave NE
City
St Cloud
State
MN
Zip Code
56304
Phone
(320) 227-6847
Email
cmyo.manager@gmail.com
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency
Location

P.O. Box 458
220 4th Ave North 
Foley, MN 56329

Phone
Project Manager: Leslie LeCuyer
320-968-4290x 3 or Toll Free: 866-825-1471