Ruby
Brallier
Submitted:
October 14, 2019
Awarded
: $
1000
Contact Information:
Ruby
Brallier
105 N Pleasant St
Oberlin
OH
44074
USA
4254956157
Reference 1:
Colin Holter
Reference 2:
Catharina Meints
Summary of Submitted Materials:
Budget
Submitted Documents:
Submitted Recordings:
Committee Notes:
I agree that this is a super project, well worth our support. In fact, do we dare support it up to the max we can give, which I believe is still $1500? The budget isn't entirely clear to me; she asks for $1000 and hopes to make up the "difference" by playing concerts, but the total cost appears to be only $1050. Then, she includes a line item for "strings and routine maintenance" of $200, which may not go very far in the course of a year. (One full set of Damian strings for a bass would cost about $232 from Boulder, depending on choices you make for each string.)
It feels like we discussed giving more than the requested amount once before, or maybe actually did so. Does anyone remember that? It could set a bad precedent. But I'd like to support this project as fully as we can.
And yes, I think that this counts as an extraordinary circumstance, both because it is a terrific program that has already been tried, and also because, at least as of now, there are no other contenders.
We did consider increasing the amount asked before, and I can't remember who it was, but we decided against it, probably because we didn't want to set a precedent of favoring some applicants over others. And I would recommend following that earlier decision. She should get her $1000. Perhaps asking Lisa to pass on the info that the committee is very impressed with this application.?
I do agree that it might become problematic to set up any kind of precedent for awarding more money than is requested, even in a time of plenty. I agree with Lucy: Let's grant Ruby her $1K and pass along how impressed we are.
Also, having the students themselves involved in making up the shortfall can only make the program more valuable to them, I think. Sense of ownership, right?
Last, because we seem to have the right, as a committee, to declare something "extraordinary", I agree that this qualifies and would assent to allowing the application to be fulfilled now, even though we're not quite within the two-year range.
-DM
I'm surprised she didn't ask for the full amount. Your decision not to set a precedent is a sound one. I could advise her to ask for a projects / outreach grant during the year if she needs more.
Send me your final decision and I'll let her know.
Good job!
LT
Project Description:
Project Description (what funds are needed for):
The Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra, in collaboration with Oberlin Conservatory of Music, intends to offer a unique new ensemble for students in Northeast Ohio for the 2019-2020 season: The NOYO Consort of Viols. Participants will have the opportunity to explore consort literature for the viola da gamba in a collaborative environment aimed to encourage students to take ownership for musical and creative decisions.
This spring, we ran a successful pilot of this program, offering seven high school students enrolled in NOYO’s Philharmonia Orchestra the chance to participate in a six-week intensive beginning viol course. The program culminated in a performance at The Music Settlement’s Bop Stop live music venue in Cleveland. The response from students, parents, and NOYO board members has been overwhelmingly positive. Students from this pilot program have already expressed interest in continuing to play the viol, and one even went on to participate in Oberlin’s Baroque Performance Institute summer program.
Consistent with the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra’s mission to remove all possible barriers to participation in music-making, we feel it is important that this enrichment program is tuition-free for current NOYO students. Thanks to the generosity of Oberlin Conservatory, we are able to use up to seven instruments and the facilities for our rehearsals free of charge. Thus, our projected operating costs for the 2019-2020 season are minimal and include only instrument maintenance fees and paying the teaching artists (attached). We plan to draw from current viol students at Oberlin Conservatory for our coaches, allowing them to gain valuable coaching experience.
Our 17-week season will begin on November 3rd and, while we are hoping to mainly draw from students already enrolled in Philharmonia, this ensemble will also be open to students not registered through NOYO for a small fee.
I feel strongly about exposing young musicians to historical instruments, in particular viol consort playing. Not only does consort playing improve chamber music skills and sight-reading abilities in ways a traditional youth symphony program cannot, but it also provides a potentially lifelong outlet for music-making within a vibrant community, especially for students who do not pursue a professional career in music.
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Total cost of project: 1000
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Proposal to cover the difference:
We plan to hold a fundraising concert this winter where myself (and potentially other local viol players) perform side-by-side with current NOYO consort of viol students to cover the difference. I also plan to apply for an Outreach Grant from EMA this January. After this initial season, NOYO's board has agreed to consider us for regular program funding.
Request Amount:
$
1000
Total Project Cost:
$
Budget and Additional Funding:
Qualifications:
Having just finished as Masters in viol performance at Oberlin Conservatory, I have settled in the greater Cleveland area and hope to make the viol accessible to as many students and diverse audiences as possible. Alongside my position as faculty at the Community Music School of Oberlin Conservatory (cello and viol), I have an exciting season ahead of me of performances and workshops with my chamber group Medici Ensemble.