Volume8, Issue2

Baroque Record - 8.2 (November 1999)

Coming of Age
A message from BCG president Wendy Bartlett

        With our 20th Anniversary concerts this December, we can truly say we have come of age as an organization committed to musical excellence and dedicated to serving and educating our audiences. In the world of grass-roots non-profits, there are many organizations that would envy our track record of achievement and stability. We have earned this record through a combination of factors: emphasis on quality and ongoing improvement in our performances, understanding of our audiences, a businesslike approach to the administration of our operations, and the help of a corps of volunteers and contributors.

        As a Guild board member, I have often been reminded that our volunteers and contributors are an essential element for our success. They have always stepped up when we have needed them most - whether to stage concerts, get out a mailing, sew tunics or pay for that special soloist who will help make our performances soar - and we can never have too many people who work behind the scenes to support us in delighting and enlightening our audiences with music that stirs our souls.

       Today I am asking you for your involvement and your support to keep the Baroque Choral Guild as a community treasure. Contributions of money are always welcome, but we also can use your time and in-kind services to help us stretch our resources further. You might have access to a photocopier that we could use to produce concert programs. Perhaps you have an energetic and reliable student at home who can help set up and take down risers and other staging equipment, or maybe you have time and access to systems that can help us manage our mailing list and our communications. Finally, we are always on the lookout for creative and savvy people who would be willing to serve on our board of directors and help shape our future.

        In short, there is more to creating music than just rehearsing and singing. If you are interested in being a part of our organization, I encourage you to contact us. I promise that you will be well compensated (though not monetarily) by helping us to create wonderful musical experiences for our audience.

        I have had the honor of serving the Guild as president for only a few months, but I am no stranger to the chorus and to the board of directors. Over the past fourteen years, it has given me great joy to be able to join voices with other choristers and share our love of music with our audiences. I am pleased to be leading the Guild into its next twenty years; and, with your help, I look forward to continuing our strong tradition of adventuresome programming and remarkable performances.

Volume 8, Issue 2

Baroque Choral Guild, 953 Industrial Ave. Ste 118, Palo Alto CA 94303, 650.424.1410