May 20, 2016

Your Network, Voice and Forum for Classical Music in the West

Make Your Voice Heard on June 7th

The June 7th California Presidential primary election will have a lasting impact on the future of your organization.

For the first time in 24 years an incumbent senator from California is not running, meaning that all 34 candidates have a shot at winning the seat. The candidates may lead to real change in Washington.

The winning candidate will represent California for years to come, so make sure that you vote for the candidate who will ensure that your voice is heard on Capitol Hill.

In order to vote you must be registered by May 23th. Get involved.

Update on the Bill that Will Harm Nonprofits

CalNonprofits has reported that AB 2855, a bill that would require nonprofits to place unnecessary and burdensome notices on every document that includes a fundraising message, was held in the Appropriations Committee suspense file, due to an estimate by the Attorney General's Office that implementing and enforcing the bill could cost the state in excess of $150,000. Appropriations Committee chair Lorena Gonzalez (D-Chula Vista) has until May 27th to decide whether to allow AB 2855 to go to the floor for a full Assembly vote. You can help stop this bill.

Overtime Compensation: New Requirements

On May 18, 2016, the Obama administration finalized new rules increasing the number of workers eligible to receive overtime compensation. The new requirements will take effect on December 1, 2016, and will raise the threshold for overtime compensation from $455 a week ($23,660 for a full-year worker) to $913 a week ($47,476 for a full-year worker). Read more.

Tell Your Story

Prioritizing what you say can make the difference between generating interest or losing support. Learn how the Minute Message Model can be your secret weapon to tell your organization's story effectively. Founding partner, Jennie Winton, made one of the most popular presentations at the ACSO 2015 Annual Conference. Read more.

Music Notes

Congratulations to the following ACSO member organizations recently awarded NEA Art Works grants: American Youth Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Youth Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, and Santa Cecilia Orchestra.

The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera finished its 2015-16 season with two sold out concerts and nearly four more, and surpassed subscription and ticket sale records. According to its records, the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera had not sold to capacity since at least 2000.

The San Luis Obispo Symphony has announced its five music director finalists: David Handel (music director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia and the principal guest conductor of the Moscow City Symphony-Russian Philharmonic); Rei Hotoda (associate conductor of the Utah Symphony Orchestra); Jose-Luis Novo (music director and conductor of both the Binghamton Philharmonic in New York and the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra in Maryland); Andrew Sewell (music director at the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra for the past fifteen seasons); Nan Washburn (music director of the Michigan Philharmonic).

Up and Down the Scale

Derek Dean is the new as chief operating officer of the San Francisco Symphony. Dean had been serving in that role on an interim basis since June 2015, and he was a member of the Symphony's Board of Governors from 2011 to 2015.Prior to joining the orchestra's staff he held posts as CEO of the Center for Executive Education at the University of California, Berkeley, and as principal with the leadership consulting firm Exetor Group.

ACSO Out and About

The May ACSO Board meeting in Sacramento -- business as well as pleasure.