by Bill Coons, Historian
2004-05 Season: New officers were Paula Kosiorek, President & Robert Steinle, VP. Continuing were Sallyann Breneman, Treasurer & Pat Larkin, Secretary. The Summer Theatre presented “Seussical”and netted $4,328, including a grant of $1,250. Tom Ellison took over as Community Orchestra conductor. Equipment & supplies were moved from the house on Merrill St. to Barnard School. The school use fee was $240/yr., but the larger upkeep expenses of the house were eliminated. A long discussed performers’ membership fee was set at $20. Jan Salzer & Bob Steinle “coordinated” the 2005 Garden Tour. GPAS was listed in the International directory of Performing Arts. It was reported that the new Athena Performing Arts Center would be finished in May. The Choral Society presented its 35th anniversary concert in the spring. The Greece Supervisor’s concerts continued. In April, the Jazz Band traveled to the Honeoye Central Schools to present a joint concert with HCS jazz bands. Then in June, the Jazz Band brought Matt Catingub, a performer and composer from Hawaii, to perform with them in the Rochester International Jazz Festival and in Greece. Chuck Huffine announced at the Annual Meeting that he would be leaving town and the Jazz Band, and Tom Ronan would replace him as conductor. Fundraisers were Garden Tour ($10,871), Gift Wrap booth ($8,215), and Pops Concert ($2,786). Grants totaling $5,500 were received. Ending cash balance was $53,583 and musical equipment of $15,403, total $68,986.
2005-06 Season: All officers continued. The Summer Theatre presented “A Funny Thing Happened, etc” and was reported to have lost about $2,000. Choral Society rehearsals moved to Athena until December due to Arcadia renovations. Revised By-laws were approved by the Board. The Jazz Band returned to Honeoye for another concert, and issued their 2nd CD. All were saddened by the October death of Treasurer Sallyann Breneman, who also did graphics for programs, followed later by the death of Bernie Agins, Jazz Band liaison. The Concert Band presented a Holiday Pops Concert at the Greece Baptist Church. The annual Christmas concert included the Nazareth College Bach Children’s Chorus. The Choral Society joined with the Geneseo Chamber Singers and the Buffalo Youth Orchestra to present “Carmina Burana” in April concerts in Buffalo and Greece. The Summer Theatre began work on “Grease”. An inventory of equipment and music was requested. Fundraisers were Garden Tour ($9,505) and Gift Wrap ($8,398). A grant of $4,500 was received from the Town. Ending cash balance was $52,150 plus equipment $15,403. Total $67,553.
2006-07 Season: The President and V.P. continued. Margaret Ann Fragnito was elected Treasurer, and Jan Wills, Secretary. The Summer Theatre performances of “Grease” netted about $4,300. All performing group members must pay $15 to Community Education. The GPAS $20 membership fee was made voluntary. GPAS must also contribute to NYS Teacher’s Retirement fund $1,200/yr. A November Jazz Band concert was a “Tribute to Maynard Ferguson”. The Rochester Boy’s Choir participated in the annual Christmas concert. In March, the Choral Society joined other choirs in the Consortium Prism Concert at Eastman. Their May “European Delights” concert included the Crazy Fireman. At the Town Community Center, the Jazz Band presented a “Rochester Weather” concert, featuring Josh Nichols, TV weatherman, as MC. The Garden Tour moved its plant sale to the Historical Society grounds and added a garden market with vendors. The Jazz Band purchased a sound system for $4,200 and other instruments for $700, all available for general use. GPAS learned that it must depreciate this equipment over a 7-year life. Initial depreciation was $138. Fundraisers were: Pops Concert ($2737), Garden Tour ($8,629) and Gift Wrap ($9,802). Ending cash was $52,199 plus equipment $20,170. Total $72,369.
2007-08 Season: President and Treasurer continued. Jan Wills became V.P. and Jenessa Wheeler, Secretary. The Summer Theatre, “Little Shop of Horrors”, lost about $1,300. The Youth Carnival, organized by Bill Selke, donated $700. Tom Ellison began conducting the Jazz Band as well as the Community Orchestra. Money and food from the “Heart & Voice” concert at St. Johns was given to the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf. The annual Christmas concert included both the Bach & Mozart Children’s Choruses. The May Choral Society concert included the Women of Note, Bow Ties, Lyric Choral & Irondequoit Choral. Equipment was moved from Barnard School to 500 Maiden Lane. Previous efforts to explore strategic direction were revisited. Although not detailed in these histories, the Symphony Orchestra, with soloists, & Community Orchestra continued to present concerts at varied locations. Glenn Call left the Concert Band & Gary Samulski replaced him. Fundraisers were: Pops Concert ($2,602), Garden Tour ($7,511), Gift Wrap ($8,798). Grants of $6,575 were reported. Accounting rules required that the $15,403 equipment previously acquired should be totally depreciated this year. This affected GPAS total assets but not the cash balance. Ending cash was $41,660 (revenue was lower & expenses were higher, primarily Theatre) plus equipment $4,685. Total $46,345.