Kavanaugh Explains WSO To Potential Board Members

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor-

Following a luncheon Friday at Mosaique Restaurant, Warsaw, Brent Wilcoxson, Winona Lake, and Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh, director of the Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, addressed a group of potential WSO board members.

The board initially is being formed under the leadership of Rebecca Kubacki and Cathy Teghtmeyer.

Wilcoxson said, "We're in an ongoing effort to redevelop the community - take it to its next phase. The symphony is one of those things that improves the quality of life in the area."

Kavanaugh said, "We have access to many musicians in this community - through MasterWorks, Grace College and other sources. And our concerts are always packed. This community enjoys music like no other community I've ever seen. We have both musicians and an audience."

He explained the tentative budget for WSO as four levels:

• Survival - The first year budget of $25,000, which only pays for certain required expenses and salaries.

• Credible - The next level of $35,000 includes a full string section.

• Professional - $75,000 would be needed to staff a fully paid orchestra. The nearest professional orchestras are in Fort Wayne and South Bend, both about an hour away.

• Union-scale - The highest budget level of $170,000 would pay everyone in the orchestra on union scale.

Kavanaugh said, "One thing you need to know about me is that I love music. I'm really interested in children's appreciation of music. It's amazing how many have never heard an orchestra."

The functions of the board of directors for the Warsaw Symphony would be:

- Supplies vision, makes decisions and owns the orchestra.

- Hires the music director.

- Helps find donors and provide fundraising.

- Provide financial oversight, budget, etc.

- Represent the persona of the orchestra to the community.

"The board is the 'heart of the orchestra.' The board makes the decisions. Right now, it seems that you're kind of 'looking' at the orchestra. I'm mostly a musician, and I need people that believe in the community. Musicians need to be led (by the board). It's a very exciting effort and you have the potential for being a great board," he said.

Ideas already are being considered for fundraising activities. In response to a question from one of the participants, Kavanaugh said the base cost of presenting an individual concert is $5,000, and it's possible for area businesses or individuals to sponsor a concert.

The next free concert is at 7:30 p.m. today at Rodeheaver Auditorium. For more information about the Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, call 574-267-1888. [[In-content Ad]]

Following a luncheon Friday at Mosaique Restaurant, Warsaw, Brent Wilcoxson, Winona Lake, and Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh, director of the Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, addressed a group of potential WSO board members.

The board initially is being formed under the leadership of Rebecca Kubacki and Cathy Teghtmeyer.

Wilcoxson said, "We're in an ongoing effort to redevelop the community - take it to its next phase. The symphony is one of those things that improves the quality of life in the area."

Kavanaugh said, "We have access to many musicians in this community - through MasterWorks, Grace College and other sources. And our concerts are always packed. This community enjoys music like no other community I've ever seen. We have both musicians and an audience."

He explained the tentative budget for WSO as four levels:

• Survival - The first year budget of $25,000, which only pays for certain required expenses and salaries.

• Credible - The next level of $35,000 includes a full string section.

• Professional - $75,000 would be needed to staff a fully paid orchestra. The nearest professional orchestras are in Fort Wayne and South Bend, both about an hour away.

• Union-scale - The highest budget level of $170,000 would pay everyone in the orchestra on union scale.

Kavanaugh said, "One thing you need to know about me is that I love music. I'm really interested in children's appreciation of music. It's amazing how many have never heard an orchestra."

The functions of the board of directors for the Warsaw Symphony would be:

- Supplies vision, makes decisions and owns the orchestra.

- Hires the music director.

- Helps find donors and provide fundraising.

- Provide financial oversight, budget, etc.

- Represent the persona of the orchestra to the community.

"The board is the 'heart of the orchestra.' The board makes the decisions. Right now, it seems that you're kind of 'looking' at the orchestra. I'm mostly a musician, and I need people that believe in the community. Musicians need to be led (by the board). It's a very exciting effort and you have the potential for being a great board," he said.

Ideas already are being considered for fundraising activities. In response to a question from one of the participants, Kavanaugh said the base cost of presenting an individual concert is $5,000, and it's possible for area businesses or individuals to sponsor a concert.

The next free concert is at 7:30 p.m. today at Rodeheaver Auditorium. For more information about the Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, call 574-267-1888. [[In-content Ad]]

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