From The President’s Pen
The successful sixteenth season of Musicians of the Old Post Road’s performances has just concluded, and we are deep into planning for next season which promises to be just as fulfilling and exciting as you have come to expect from us. This newsletter includes a listing of our subscription series concert dates and programs, so please mark your calendars!
On behalf of the Board of Musicians of the Old Post Road, I want to thank all of the donors and volunteers who have helped support the organization over the years. We are constantly amazed by and grateful for the wonderful financial support we have been blessed with as well as donated time and services of dedicated volunteers. Without this help, it would be impossible to continue. Given the cutbacks in governmental and foundation grant funding, keeping a non-profit arts organization in business is an ongoing challenge, but we are persistent and we are succeeding.
Many non-profit organizations are facing financial hurdles, and the evidence for this can be found in the blizzard of donation requests that so many of us receive by mail these days. This may give pause to wonder about the actual need behind the requests and how one’s contributions will actually be used. With ticket revenue covering less than 50% of concert costs, Old Post Road relies heavily on donated income for the production of its programs. Gifts from individuals and concert-goers such as yourself comprise 25% or more of our annual budget.
The concerts and services offered by Old Post Road are of the highest professional caliber and expenses are not out-of-the-ordinary for an ensemble of such high standing. The total production cost of a typical Old Post Road chamber concert is $5,000, and the average fee for a musician to rehearse a program and play two performances is about $750. Travel costs for a guest artist coming from out-of-state average about $500. Moving and tuning of a keyboard instrument, such as a harpsichord or fortepiano, is about $200. The printing of the program book usually costs $2,500 per season. The cost of procuring a microfilm of an original score (one of those many regional premieres by which we have been delighted!) usually runs about $100. And the cost of rehearsing and performing an educational outreach event is about $2,000.
Other necessary expenses include office rent, supplies, remuneration for our General Manager, brochure printing, and mailing costs. What isn’t quantifiable is the donated time and labor of our corps of volunteers upon whom we rely. Without volunteers, including the Board of Directors, concert staff, and office workers, Old Post Road would have to raise ticket prices to levels equal to those of for-profit organizations. That is something we do not want—it would be so contrary to the spirit of our mission. I hope that you, our supporters, will continue to assist Old Post Road as generously as you possibly can, so we can continue to “pay you back” with more terrific musical adventures.
I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones in the upcoming season.
Charlie Hall, President .