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Reported Nov.3 2004
Mission Statement
Background
Summary of Annual Meeting
Detailed Report from Karen Iglitzin
Regular Meetings
Mission Statement:
Expression Enterprises is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization which strives to spread the love of chamber music through workshops and performance for string students in Western Washington and beyond. Valuing above all individual expression and personal development, Expression Enterprises works to foster a joyful, life-long relationship with music.
Background of Expression Enterprises:
Expression Enterprises was founded in 2000 by Karen Iglitzin, former first violinist of the Philadelphia String Quartet and formed as a 501c (3) non-profit organization in 2001. The Quartet, which moved from Philadelphia to Seattle in 1966, is often said to have established the chamber music tradition in the Pacific Northwest. Iglitzin served in the quartet from 1982-1986 after which point she joined the faculty of Western Washington University as head of the string department. Since 2000, she has devoted herself full-time to fostering a love of chamber music in young people.
Summary of Annual Meeting:
October 12, 2004 at Maple Leaf Lutheran Church
In attendance:
Board members: Marilyn Pedersen, President; Karen Iglitzin, Irv Eisenberg, Kristi Schooley-Sandall, Janice DeCosmo, Toni Bradshaw, Mike Korpi
Visitors, including parents of current students, and high school students
Executive Director's annual report (detail below):
Noting the organization's substantial growth over the last couple of years, Karen reported that a committee was formed last year to work on fundraising.
With respect to programs, Karen observed that Chamber Music Madness started in 2000, followed by Mini Madness and Beyond Madness in subsequent years, and that she wants to continue all three programs. Taken together, these programs comprise two series of Sunday meeting eight times each per year. In addition, Karen and Irv direct Camp-in-a-Day three times per year; each event involves five school groups and thirty-five to sixty students. Moreover, Expression Enterprises sponsors occasional public concerts, of which there were three last year. Finally, Camp Nirvana takes place at Bastyr University for two weeks each summer, involving not only students who have historically participated in the other programs, but also students from other parts of the country. A key goal of all the programs is for students not only to develop musically, but to have fun and grow personal skills that will last a lifetime.
A Camp Nirvana graduate started his own Expression Enterprises website in 2001. After that, it was decided that it was important to put organizational resources into putting up a professional website. This was done by parent Rick Van Ness, and then continued by parents Doug and Jane Bae. Parent Neal Schindler has recently assumed responsibility for expanding the website and serves as the part-time, volunteer webmaster.
Karen reported that she had asked student Hannah Pressley to serve as a student representative on the board. Hannah, a cellist, is an eighteen year old senior at Garfield High. Accepting the board's invitation, Hannah explained that she has participated for three years in EE programs, and chamber music has become her favorite activity. She is also an active teaching intern with EE programs, and finds teaching very rewarding.
Marilyn Pedersen: President's annual report.
Marilyn reported that she joined the board last spring, and it has been "a dynamic few months," highlighted by a fundraising party in June at Trish Bostrom's home that yielded more than $3,300. The board is looking at the possibility of applying for significant grants.
Marilyn wants to grow the administrative side of the organization so that Karen can be freed up to focus on the artistic side of the programs. Marilyn noted that Cami Davis is leaving her administrative assistant position, and a search is underway for a replacement. Marilyn characterized the organization as “energized”, and feels the organization is heading in the right direction.
Election of Board trustees and officers:
The Trustees for the Oct 2004- Oct 2006 term will be: Marilyn Pedersen, President; Mike Korpi, Secretary, Toni Bradshaw, Irv Eisenberg and Karen Iglitzin, directors.
Acknowledgment of departing board and staff members:
Karen thanked Janice DeCosmo for her contribution, particularly her work in getting the original board established and for her tenure as president for the last two years. Kristi Schooley-Sandall was acknowledged for her board service, and especially her catering contribution at numerous events. Kristi shared about how enriching it has been for her to learn about the world of chamber music. Both departing board members noted that they would like to stay active as a volunteer at events. Karen acknowledged Cami Davis’ contribution in upgrading EE's written materials and in helping out in countless other ways. All departing members were presented with certificates of appreciation.
Performance:
The group enjoyed a performance by "Les Jeunes Filles" of the first movement of Haydn's “Sunrise” Quartet. This quartet has been coached by Hannah Pressley with some assistance by fellow EE student Paolo Maliksi.
Report from Karen Iglitzin:
Executive Director Overview of the performance of Expression Enterprises since the founding of the organization:
Since the founding of Expression Enterprises in May of 2000, its programs have grown every year, now with a total of 4 major programs plus invitational concerts. The performance of the organization has been positive. Cash flow has been solid, with the level of donations increasing by 100% every year.
The reputation of the group seems to be spreading fast. As for the running of the office, the 02-03 season was the first to include some administrative/office help; in 03-04 this was increased by hiring a part-time administrative assistant for 10 hours per week. This improved efficiency. Then, it was decided in August ’04 that the organization would increase the hours toward a ½ time Administrative Assistant position. The search for that person is now drawing to a close. The reputation of the organization and programs is very positive within the local community and with teachers throughout the northwest. Karen was named “Chamber Music Teacher of the Year” by Chamber Music America in 2002.
Students and families have shown high levels of satisfaction and even devotion to the organization and its teachers. Many people express their desire to volunteer or help in some way, and a few do so on a regular basis. This includes Susan Leslie, a bookkeeper who donates at least 40 hours per year, and Jessica du Mas, a technology support person who has spent countless hours to improve our databases.
The materials were expanded to help parents and others easily mark their preferences for volunteer work and other ways to help. Thanks to this, a group of interested parties started as an “advisory group” in fall of 2003. This included parent Leslie Johanson, Susan Leslie and Christopher Shainin, a recent graduate of UW arts administration degree program.
There were two immediate results of this brainstorming group. One was that Leslie Johanson volunteered to serve as the first “Volunteer Coordinator” for EE. She spent lots of time helping Karen to establish the different roles that parents could play, and enlisted the first roster of volunteers for the spring. This set an important precedent. Now we have a new volunteer coordinator for the 2004-2005 season: parent Mary Chalker.
The second result was the formation of a fundraising committee, begun in Feb.04. Serving on the committee were Kathryn Adams Johnson, chair; Kathryn’s husband Mark Johnson, parents from Olympia; plus Alice Porter, and Christopher Shainin from UW, plus Irv, Karen and Marilyn.
The computer resources were recently analyzed, recommendations made, and up-to-date technology was put into place. The webpage expanded significantly in Feb.04 and in Sept.04 was improved further in terms of a clear ‘home-page’ and redone banner. Graphics and graphic consistency has been improved in the past year with the help of staff member Cami Davis and input from Christopher Shainin.
One of our alumna, Emily Baillargeon Russin, agreed to help jump-start our efforts to contact alumni. Emily was a violist 1984 during the “Chamber Music Institute” at the Olympic Music Festival. The CMI was the precursor to our current “Camp Nirvana”. She energetically took on this ambitious project, beginning with researching current locations of our alumni. Then, she sent a letter and survey out to many of them. We have received quite a number of responses. We look forward to furthering that ongoing effort.
We held our major fundraiser in June of 2004; it was successful, and new supporters joined the effort. It was an elegant dinner and evening at the home of Trish Bostrom on the shores of Lake Washington. Entertainment included everything from a performance by EE’s top students playing late Beethoven, to folk music jamming, to boat rides on Lake Washington.
THANKS to the support we received, Expression Enterprises was able to
1) Support the young people who are involved in the wonderful activity of making great music together,
2) Offer scholarships to deserving students,
3) Help build positive connections between young people through chamber music,
4) Foster joy, exuberance, cooperation and growth in the music educational environment.
Regular Meetings:
Expression Enterprises meetings are open to the public.
Meetings are held at Maple Leaf Lutheran Church from 7:00-9:00pm.
The dates are the first Tuesday of the month unless marked as an exception.
2004 Tue.Nov.9*, Tue.Dec.7
2005 Tue.Jan.11*, Tue. Feb.1, Tue. March 1, Tue. April 5, Tue. May 3, Tue. June 7, Tue. July 5
We look forward to a great year and hope you can join us in our growth! |
