Toolboxes

Wednesday, June 8
(2:15PM-3:30PM)

Thursday, June 9
(1:00PM-2:00PM)

(2:15-3:15PM)

(1:00PM-2:00PM and 2:15-3:15PM) 

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Rise of the Supercitizen

Conference 2011The Twin Cities is a national leader in “supercitizenship” – individuals that come forward, via contributions of time, resource, and ideas, to build vibrant community. In other words, everyone invests in the overall health of community. When average citizens do extraordinary things, the impact of arts and other nonprofit organizations can be magnified exponentially.  What are the lessons from St. Paul and Minneapolis that we can take back to help us achieve our potential to become truly invested in the success of our own communities?


Sean Kershaw, president, Citizens League; Jon Pratt, executive director, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Sheila Smith, executive director, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts

Moderator: Ronnie Brooks, division director, Wilder Center for Communities and the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute 

One Among Many: Creating Unique Identity in a Competitive Environment

Orchestras can struggle to find their unique identities in a community where there are multiple orchestras. Hear from three orchestras that have successfully created their own specialized niche and met with success.

John Forsyte, president, Pacific Symphony; Andre Grémillet, president & CEO, New Jersey Symphony; Rachel Fine, executive director, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Moderator: James Palermo, president & CEO, The Colorado Symphony
 

The Networked Orchestra: Leading and Connecting in an Age of Social Media

Conference 2011Social Media has tremendous potential to build community, entice new volunteers, audiences, and board members.  Explore "what's the point" and why social media can be a powerful tool for expanding your orchestra's family.

Beth Kanter, author of Beth's Blog, co-author of The Networked Nonprofit, CEO, Zoetica
 

Engaging the Next Generation

For those under 40, the name of the game is choice. How do orchestras become first on the infinite list of possibilities for this smart, savvy generation? And how do you get your board and musicians to see the value of engaging the next generation of donors, volunteers, and ticket buyers? Learn about three organizations that have made engaging under 40s a priority – from the board room to the box office – and are seeing tangible results.

Julianne Amendola, director of development, Minneapolis Institute of Arts; Katie Berg, assistant director for patron development, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; Scott Mays, advancement officer, Minnesota Orchestra

Moderator: Lani Willis, marketing and communications director, Minnesota Opera  

Today's Young Musicians

Conference 2011Young musicians are defining their professional opportunities in new ways; some are even choosing not to audition for our orchestras. How can we better understand their expectations, and use their energy and skills to add vitality to our orchestras?
 

Howard Herring, president and CEO, New World Symphony; Eric Jacobsen, conductor and co-artistic director, The Knights; Matthew Loden, vice president and general manager, Aspen Music Festival and School (moderator and panelist); Demarre McGill, principal flute, San Diego Symphony; incoming principal flute, Seattle Symphony; co-founder and artistic director, Art of Élan 

3-D sound is coming!  But from what direction?

Conference 2011You may not have heard much about 3D sound but it is here and will have implications for audience development, education work and how our audiences listen to concerts on FM radio and via the web.   Through a series of case studies, this session will give background on how technology for measuring and predicting acoustics of halls has made 3D sound recording devices readily accessible (if not well publicized) at every level of the industry from professional to consumer.  3-D sound of concert halls can be used by music makers everywhere on their laptops and will generate information on listening habits to help us understand how we should be programming, and securing the future of, our much loved concert halls.

Raj Patel, principal, Arup 

Public Value and Perception: Your Messaging Tool Kit

Orchestras, and all nonprofits, are under increased pressure to make the case for their nonprofit, tax-exempt, status. We must both do strong work for our communities, and communicate about it more effectively, in order to "make the case" to civic leaders and others who make a difference around policy decisions. Learn about the League's new tool kit and how it can help you in your own community.

Charles Grode, vice president for the Institute of Learning, Access, and Training, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Jonathan Katz, CEO, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies; Alan Jordan, executive director, Vermont Symphony Orchestra (Watch invite from Alan Jordan on YouTube >>)

Moderators: Judith Kurnick, vice president for strategic communications, League of American Orchestras; Heather Noonan, vice president for advocacy, League of American Orchestras
 

Two Approaches to Audience Development

Conference 2011The Minnesota Orchestra and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra share their unique strategies for building audiences in the Twin Cities community. Hear their vision, plans, results, and valuable lessons learned.
 

Jessica Etten, director of marketing and communications, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; Cindy Grzanowski, director of marketing, single ticket sales & audience development; Minnesota Orchestra; Jon Limbacher, vice president and COO, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; David Sailer, director of marketing, subscription sales & audience services, Minnesota Orchestra 

Moderator: David Snead, vice president of marketing, New York Philharmonic


Discovery Session: Special Attractions and Multi-Media Events 

Looking for the next Lord of the Rings Symphony or Video Games Live? Come learn about new and existing offerings from the League’s business partners at this quick pitch session.
 

 

Where Mission and Money Meet

Conference 2011It's oh-so-easy to allow financial constraints to drive institutional decision-making. This session will focus on creating alignment between the orchestra's mission and the financial realities within which it functions.

Deborah Rutter, president, Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Ed Sermier, director, national customized services, Nonprofit Finance Fund 


Discovery Session: Artists with Fees under $5000 

Come and learn about new and existing artists on our business partners’ rosters that can be engaged for under $5,000. This is place to be when you are on a budget—and who isn’t these days?

Sharing Infrastructure: A Good Idea or Not?

Many orchestras are exploring back-of-house efficiencies by partnering with other organizations. The assumption is that it will achieve financial savings, and greater efficiency. Does the evidence prove this to be true?

David Beauchesne, executive director, Rhode Island Philharmonic; Sarah Lutman, president & managing director, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; Jonathan Martin, president & executive director, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Moderator: Sandi Macdonald, director, The Cleveland Orchestra Miami Residency; president and CEO designate, North Carolina Symphony 

Creating a Passionate Environment for New Music

The Twin Cities are a hub for new music in our country. How did this community become known for this commitment – what happened? Join the panel for a discussion on how this Minnesota community – and others across the country – are going beyond the music to extend their reach and build relationships that generate buzz around, curiosity for, and a lasting commitment to new music. Find out what strategies are working and how they can translate to deepen your community’s commitment to living composers and their music.

John Nuechterlein, president and CEO, American Composers Forum; Stephen Paulus, composer; Jesse Rosen, president and CEO, League of American Orchestras

Moderator: Katy Tucker, associate director of promotion, G. Schirmer, Inc. and Associated Music Publishers

Sponsored by Music Publishers Association of the United States
 

Lessons from El Sistema

Conference 2011The El Sistema movement continues to capture our national attention. With 2-3 years of work under our belts, what's happening? What have we learned?

Gretchen Nielsen, director of educational initiatives, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association; Dalouge Smith, president & CEO, San Diego Youth Symphony & Conservatory; Katie Wyatt, executive director, KidZNotes

Moderator: Jessica Balboni, director, Orchestra Leadership Academy, League of American Orchestras
 

The Art & Science of Ticket Pricing

Conference 2011Ding, ding, ding!  In this corner we have the belief that dropping ticket prices grows audience participation and loyalty… in the other corner, a slow but steady diet of step-wise growth is the way to go with ticket pricing and donor contributions. Hear the two sides battle it out – what’s working, what’s not, and what are the lessons about the art & science of ticket pricing that you can apply to your orchestra.

Jon Limbacher, vice president and COO, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; Jack McAuliffe, president, Engaged Audiences LLC

Moderator: Russell Jones, vice president for marketing and membership development, League of American Orchestras

Family Friendly Programming

Come and explore those kid-friendly shows that educate and entertain.
 

Today's Philanthropy: New Trends/New Expectations

Philanthropic trends have changed dramatically with greater programmatic oversight, funder-driven priorities, and new standards of accountability. What must we know, and what new skills must we develop in increase our effectiveness with our donor community.

1:00-2;00pm: Wayne Brown, director, music and opera, National Endowment for the Arts; Nicky Carpenter, board member and life director, Minnesota Orchestra; Cynthia Kleven, manager, 3M Community Giving

2:15 – 3:15 pm: Wayne Brown, director, music and opera, National Endowment for the Arts; Robert L. Lee, chair, development committee, The Saint Paul Chamber Board of Directors; Cynthia Kleven, manager, 3M Community Giving

Moderator: Raymond P. Happy, senior vice president and managing director, CCS

Sponsored by CCS
 

Learning from and Listening to Your Community

Orchestras are investing heavily in projects that are deepening their engagement with, and learning from non-traditional audiences. Hear from orchestras who set out to expand their relationship and understanding of their communities. 

Kenneth Freed, music director and conductor, Mankato Symphony Orchestra; Sarah Johnson, director, Weill Music Institute, Carnegie Hall; John Forsyte, president, Pacific Symphony; Mele Willis, manager of outreach and educational partnerships, Minnesota Orchestra

Moderator: David Myers, professor and director, School of Music, University of Minnesota
 

Popular Programming and Orchestral Specials

How are orchestras thinking inside and outside the box to reach new audiences through popular programming and orchestra specials? Join the panel to consider the evolution of popular programming, presentation of orchestral specials, current trends among a wide range of orchestras, and successful strategies and approaches to expanding existing and new audiences through popular programming

Neil Benson, senior VP, manager, artists & attractions, Opus 3 Artists; Steve Cook, president, The Cooking Group

Moderator: Roger Nelson, vice president and general manager, Grand Rapids Symphony
 

Lessons from The Geek Squad: Ten Things You Should Know

The Geek Squad, another corporate leader headquartered in the Twin Cities, has been at the forefront of new practice in customer service. Come explore lessons from the for-profit world in technology and creativity; revenue generation; audience engagement; and social media – that translate for orchestras.

Robert Stephens, founder and chief technology officer, The Geek Squad