by Bill Coons, Historian
We take up the story at the beginning of the 1971-72 Season, with the following highlights:
September: The same officers were re-elected. Estella Jones resigned as Recording Secretary, Betty Kirkland was elected to replace her. The treasury balance is $322. The proposal to charge members of performing groups a $2 registration fee to help support the organization was brought up again. Neither David Fetler nor Ralph Zecchino were very enthusiastic toward it, however, Ralph agreed to bring it up to the Choral Society as a means to help GPAS to become self-supporting. The Greece symphony will pay the fees from the free-will collections at their concerts. It was noted that their summer concert had brought in $67 from an audience of about 300! Some changes were made in the Constitution to facilitate the ongoing incorporation process being carried out by attorney William Easton.
October: Most of the meeting was devoted to discussing the $2 registration fee and how the Symphony might deal with it. A meeting had been held between Symphony representatives and Robert Holtz of Continuing Ed. It was decided to ask non-resident members to pay more, probably $4. Also, fees from the Symphony derived from concert collections should be from extra concerts beyond those regularly scheduled. The Board finally decided to let each performing group decide how to raise the fee from its members. President Newberry asked the Board to consider a contest to audition school district music students with winners to perform at the spring Arts Festival (the beginning of the Young Artist Auditions).
November: It was announced that the registration fees of $2 & $4 would be collected in January. Symphony audiences would be asked to donate $1 to help pay the members’ fees. The November Symphony concert brought in $105. The program in the files notes that Kimberly Schmitt played a Beethoven Piano Concerto. The April, 1972 Arts Festival was discussed. It will be called “Performance ’72”. Fola Tanchick was the Chairperson. A nominating Committee was appointed. It was announced that the Choral Society would sing Christmas programs at the mall, at Wesley Methodist Church and at Greenleaf Meadows.
January: All the plans for the Arts Festival were reviewed. A check for $675 was received from The New York State Council on the Arts. The grant was to be used for soloist honoraria only. The treasury now held $991. It was suggested that GPAS music directors should receive a small payment in the future. The budget for music from the Greece Recreation Dept. for 1972 will be $1000. The Executive Committee has signed the Certificate of Incorporation.
February: Only 9 persons attended. The minutes contained a plea that Board members attend meetings so that the “Board could function efficiently”. Mr. Donald Meminger will serve as adjudicator for the student music competition to be held in March. The NYSSMA grant money for soloists was allocated to the performing groups.
March: 10 persons attended. The Festival Committee reported on progress. Performing group members will be given free tickets. Fifteen applications had been received for the Student Auditions. 1st place would receive $65 and 2nd place $35. A stage curtain at Arcadia High had been damaged at the last Symphony concert. An “application for use” procedure was set up as a result. Those present selected a logo for GPAS from 4 candidates. It is shown here:
April: Virtually the entire meeting was devoted to a report and discussion about the Arts Festival. Ticket sales brought in $823 and expenses were $450. The balance was divided among the GPAS groups performing and other performers, which included the Barnard Fire Dept. Band. The student music competition had 28 contestants. Much effort had been put into obtaining publicity. The Festival program in the file shows that Cecile Saine soloed with the Symphony and Choral Society in Handel’s “Canticle of Praise”. (Thirty years later, she performed with the Choral Society again at the recent “European Delights” concert). Many suggestions were made regarding future festivals. There was considerable discussion regarding the relationship between the Symphony and the Board, which had been somewhat strained. It was decided to make Oscar Hauser, Symphony Concertmaster, and Richard Adamsky, President of the Choral Society ex-officio Board members.
May: The treasury contains $557 with some bills remaining to be paid. Additional suggestions were received for next year’s Festival. Four out of 5 Board members do not want re-election. The Community Orchestra wants to become service oriented, playing at nursing homes, etc. Some brass players in the Symphony have formed an ensemble and want GPAS sponsorship. Any action on this was postponed.
June: The incorporation process was complete. The Incorporation Book, containing 50 certificates, and the Seal were received. Corporate operating rules were explained by Mr. Easton. Mr. & Mrs. Easton were elected Lifetime Members of GPAS. The treasury has $439. Four new Board members were elected. The brass ensemble withdrew their request for sponsorship because of the registration fee they would have to pay. The Choral Society had a successful picnic at Hamlin Beach Park. Robert Holtz was asked to explore the possibility of organizing a community symphonic band. President Newberry presented an Annual Report. Member groups totaled 165 persons and 20 concerts were performed to an estimated audience of 5,400 people.