Shirley
Hunt
Submitted:
January 8, 2011
Rejected
: $
0
Contact Information:
Shirley
Hunt
804 B Street
Petaluma
CA
94952
USA
847-951-7601
Reference 1:
Mary Springfels
Reference 2:
Lisa Terry
Summary of Submitted Materials:
Submitted Documents:
Submitted Recordings:
Committee Notes:
Hey, Gang-
This one seems like a stretch to me. While it sounds like a really great instrument, I'm not sure of the direct effect this has on her teaching or performing, nor how it would help her ongoing edification. I like it when our little bit of assistance goes a long way; this strikes me as a rather large number of bucks required to reach the goal, yet a rather small bang for our community.
Thoughts?
-DM
I have not been able to access the recommendations, and maybe they are not available yet. However, from her own narrative I get the impression she doesn't earn a lot of money and doesn't have any sizable source of cash, such as a big grant or a sugar daddy. She also says she has loans from graduate school to pay off. Whatever we might be able to give her would be such a drop in the bucket. I don't think we should encourage her to get in way over her head at this point in her career.
Lucy
Recommendation from Lisa - WG
Sorry, I cannot figure out how to attach a pdf, so will send you the recommendation by e-mail!
Attaching PDFs - oops, I didn't forsee this. I'll add this to the list of things to fix.
Did the note I just tried to add not make it because it took me longer than 30 minutes to write it? Please tell me I don't have to write it again...
I answered Julie's query answered by email.
Oh dear, I can't bring myself to rewrite it right now. I'm at work, stealing time,and now have squandered too much.
Mary seems not to have offered a recommendation. Maybe this is a statement on her part. She may feel in an awkward position. In any case, I am wondering whether we actually need the recommendation to proceed. David made a very good point, and I stand by my thoughts. How about you, Julie and Jack?
Lucy
Yes, I also agree with both David and Lucy. It would not be a good use of the funds. if she doesn't get the full amount somehow, what then? Would she keep it and apply it to a different viol, or return it? I know I just said that we should wait for a second rec, but on reflection that would be more to the point if we were leaning in favor of making the grant. I think there are several good reasons to not make this one. But Julie - you may have info the rest of us don't have. Over to you...
Hey, Gang-
First, I'll just copy Jack's last entry on this application into this file:
__________________
Jack Ashworth (Jan 26, 2011):
I agree, but I also think we need to first decide if it's appropriate to include a rec from Mary in this case, since she is the direct beneficiary of this grant, and also, if it is, get it - and if not, get another. I would vote that we hold the line on needing two recs unless the applicant is well-known to, say, at least two of us. Is Shirley known to others among you? I don't know her at all.
My 2¢.
____________
... and then I will add, to answer Jack's question, that Shirley is, indeed, known to us here in No. Cal. She's been on the scene for a bit (though living farther from the center of things, up in Santa Rosa), and she did go pretty public with fundraising letters and events for this project. She has put on several house-concert fundraisers, and it's too bad that after all that, the net take has been just under $3K.
As far as the absence of Mary's reference letter goes, I am of the following opinions:
-It is, indeed, a real conflict of interest if Mary writes a letter to us which is meant to raise money for Shirley... to pay Mary!
-Although Mary is/ was the teacher who seems to have known Shirley best, was there nobody else who could have been the first reference?
-Lucy raises a good point: The absence of a letter on Mary's part could, in fact, be a statement. Or it could just be Mary!
In summation, is it time to pull the plug on this one?
-DM
I sent Wendy an email about this rec. issue. She agrees Mary is not the right person to recommend. I asked her to find out from Shirley if there is someone else who could fill that spot, just so that we are following the proper protocol. I think I know how this all is going to come out...but we ought to observe the procedures.
Lucy
In view of no incoming second recommendation, and of the fact that none of the three of us think that this is a viable application for several reasons, shall we vote to turn down Shirley's application?
Lucy
yes - I agree. We really do need to enshrine this in protocol, but failing a recommendation should, all by itself, be reason to turn someone down. Shouldn't it?
anyway, this is not a strong application for all of the reasons previously cited.
- Jack
I concur in turning this application down.
-DM
Project Description:
I am seeking grant money to contribute to the purchase of a c. 1725 viola da gamba by Johann Christian Hoffmann owned by Mary Springfels. Mary has offered the instrument to me, stating that she would like to pass it on to a promising young professional. She is asking 90,000 for the instrument, which is obviously more than any ordinary individual can afford The viol has been on loan to me since October 2010, and I have been playing house concerts all over the bay area trying to drum up some interest and . So far, I have raised 2,795 from playing these fundraisers. Essentially, I am hoping to cobble together private donations and grant money in order to purchase this rare incredible instrument. This viol would replace my current instrument, a 6-string bass by John Pringle, which I would sell or give to Mary as equity depending upon her discretion.
Request Amount:
$
Total Project Cost:
$
5000
Budget and Additional Funding:
Qualifications:
Heres why I am qualified to receive a grant from the VdGsa I am an active participant in the early music scene in the San Francisco bay area, as well as Sonoma County where I live, splitting my career about 4060 between baroque cello and the viol. I perform frequently with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, Archetti, Agave Baroque, Faire Violls, and Sonoma Bach. Last year, I was selected by Voices of Music to receive a Young Artist Award. I have taught viol at the ViolsWest play-day in Orange County and also served as a visiting Artist teaching viol at California Institute of the Arts. In addition to performing and teaching on the viol in pre-existing niches, I have also demonstrated my ability to create new work for myself and for others by co-directing my own ensemble, serving on the board for the Sonoma Bach Society, and presenting solo and duo viol recitals in the community. I also host a monthly meeting play-day of amateur viol players in Sonoma County, teach private lessons, and host concerts in my home that feature the viol. In my hands, I believe the Hoffmann bass viol would be heard frequently in performance and not only benefit myself in my own projects but also benefit the broader community of musicians, music organizations, audiences, music lovers, students, and amateurs alike. I am also 26 years old, two years out of grad school, have student loans and all kinds of education-related debt to handle despite having a full-time performing career.
Letter of Reference 1:
Letter of Reference 2: