Let us help you invest in the future! The League of American Orchestras is committed to recognizing and encouraging effective and visionary leadership in the orchestra profession and for the performing arts. A healthy and growing talent pool of well-trained, dedicated professionals is critical to maintaining institutional vitality and future growth. And, those who work for the arts in America need enhanced skill sets to undertake the complex tasks needed to ensure our collective success. Two League programs are open to all, one may be just right for you. Click here for complete program information, including agendas and faculty bios.
Cost: $165 per person through April 11; $190 thereafter
We understand "branding" when it comes to Coca Cola and Apple. What about as it applies to the cultural sector? Why is it an important strategic tool as we seek to gain visibility and differentiate our product? With limited resources, how do we rationalize the time and energy required for maintaining brand image?
Speakers: Roger Sametz, president, Sametz Blackstone Associates; Brandon Walsh, strategist, Sametz Blackstone Associate
This session examines the challenges and opportunities women conductors face in the symphonic, opera, and choral fields, and applies personal growth strategies from the recently-published "Trade Up: 5 Skills for Redesigning Your Leadership and Life from the Inside Out."
This will be a great opportunity for women conductors to share their experiences and establish a powerful professional leadership network.
Speaker: Rayona Sharpnack, founder, Institute for Women's Leadership and author of "Trade Up: 5 Skills for Redesigning Your Leadership and Life from the Inside Out"
Cost: $95 per person
In conjunction with Chorus America, we've arranged for a special session with the experts onsite at the National Center for Voice and Speech, to discuss the science behind the voice and current trends, issues, and discoveries about vocal health for singers of all ages. The session will also feature a tour of this fantastic facility, to see vocal health in action.
The National Center for Voice and Speech, founded in 1990, is home to top researchers studying human vocal communication and to top clinicians heading voice habilitation programs for vocal arts professionals. Designed to study the voice and speech production of stage performers to increase their vocal artistry, NCVS research now assists people far beyond the stage. Its work includes investigating the natural processes of voice and speech production, dissemination of vocal health information, nationally broadcast public service announcements on vocal health and popular public voice workshops. The NCVS rehabilitation program helps to facilitate recovery of injured voices (both singing and speaking) and promotes optimal voice production for those who want to better their healthy voices.
Speaker: Ingo Titze, PhD, Executive Director, The National Center for Voice and Speech
Registration is limited to the first 50 to sign up.
The National Center for Voice and Speech is adjacent to the Denver Center Parking Garage on 13th Street, 2 blocks from the Convention Center. View map
NOTE: Additional seminars may be available on Wednesday, June 11 offered by our partner service organizations for their own membership. Please check your own organization's registration page or website for details. Here is a list of what we have to date.
An interactive session for participants from choruses of all sizes focusing on best marketing and public relations practices on a budget. Participants are invited to submit materials in advance for review and discussion that will focus on constructive feedback designed to strengthen materials and strategies and make them more effective. Significant time will be spent discussing print and electronic media, publicity, and collaborative marketing strategies with practical examples and handouts.
Speaker: Scott Horton, Marketing and Public Relations Consultant
The road to fundraising success is ahead of you, and you've already got the beginnings of the team to make it happen—your board! You can ensure that your journey is successful and your chorus has the resources it needs in the future by actively engaging your board and other volunteers in implementing successful fundraising strategies and actions. From best practices in the current arts environment to tips on implementing successful fundraising campaigns, this session will involve chorus leaders in an interactive exploration of how to capitalize on your board and volunteer assets.
Speaker: Mary Ann de Barbieri, Principal, de Barbieri and Associates
The roots of conducting (and successful translation of the conductor's gesture and technique to choral sound) are in the anatomy of the conductor. In this intensive workshop, James Jordan will share both theory and practical applications of conducting and rehearsal technique, as well as recent groundbreaking pedagogy applying Alexander Technique and Bodymapping through virtual state-of-the-art technology now available to all conductors. This workshop and the techniques shared are applicable to choirs at all levels.
Speaker: James Jordan, Senior Conductor, Westminster Choir College
Immerse yourself in the strategies that make annual campaigns grow. Starting with the personal solicitation of institutional and civic leaders, and moving through institutional grants and sponsorships; giving clubs; telemarketing; direct mail; special events; matching and challenge gifts, this seminar will provide the information, practical skills, and resources useful to staff, board members, and volunteers who want their orchestras to raise more money.
Speaker: Paul Hogle, vice president for institutional advancement, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
One of the most important relationships in the symphony orchestra is that between the executive director and the music director. If this relationship is not constructive, the risks for the institution are very high. Virtually every decision made and action taken by either party affects the other, and has an impact on the entire institution. This seminar will explore this relationship, and provide recommendations for making it successful.
Speakers: Marin Alsop, music director, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Henry Fogel, president & CEO, League of American Orchestras
What are the "big stories" that your orchestra puts forward? Are they the exciting and positive ones—like a new or renovated hall, music director search or announcement, upcoming season; major new community initiative; and/or the challenging ones—a personnel dispute that's going public, a challenging financial situation, etc? Is your orchestra always ahead of the story, or are you sometimes playing "catch-up," where you've been put in a reactive rather than pro-active mode?
This seminar will give you the skills to develop the right strategies for your orchestra in shaping the roll-out and development of the story, as well as the preparation for the tough or probing questions that follow. Discover the approaches that avoid reactive responses and allow us to be proactive in managing perceptions of important stories as they unfold.
Those with responsibility for the public face of your orchestra, including executive directors, musicians and conductors, board members, and staff, are encouraged to attend.
Speaker: Mary Lou Falcone, owner, Mary Lou Falcone Public Relations
Branding: Beyond the Hype