Week 2

On Monday, May 18, I began to do internet research different education and outreach programs put on by orchestras across the country (mostly the Midwest). My assignment was to research mission statements about different orchestras' implementation of education programs and then find goals or list reasons about how those orchestras go about reaching that mission. When doing this research I was able to consider how ProMusica targets students of varying ages compared to other orchestras. It was interesting to note which orchestras intentionally target certain audiences and how they aim to do that in their mission statements solely about community and outreach, versus orchestras that do not address education or outreach at all and simply maintain a performance season in contingency with the director's wishes (these orchestras obviously did not make my list). In my research I found that the majority of orchestras target students of all ages through in-school performances/events--especially elementary through high school aged--and many orchestras seek to reach adults and entire families. I also attended a staff meeting late in the afternoon. Janet Chen, Executive Director, led the meeting. Several topics were discussed including a wrap-up of the Gala event (concert, wine tasting, and silent auction on May 8), a wrap-up of Youth and Family Day (concert at the Columbus Zoo on May 10), new subscriptions and subscription renewals, and the format of the end of the year reports that are due at the annual staff meeting in mid-June.

Everyone was in the office on Wednesday, May 20, including another intern, so I organized the supply room. This must be a job that most people don't like doing on a typical day, but I don't mind organizing every once in a while! Hopefully all the envelopes, notepads, and coffee filters can be found in their proper places now :) I also took inventory of supplies that needed re-stocked, such as paper clips!

Friday was a slower day at the office. We were all looking forward to getting out of the office since it was a gorgeous day outside! Julia wanted me to compile my research so she would be able to present it to the education committee later in June. I compiled my findings about each orchestra into one or two sentences summarizing what each orchestra seeks to accomplish through education and outreach.