July 6, 2016

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

California State Budget Includes Increased Investment in Arts

On June 27, 2016, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a state budget that includes a $10.8 million funding increase for programs of the California Arts Council.

This investment will extend the capacity of the CAC to meet the needs and demand for arts programs benefiting diverse communities across the state. The budget includes a $6.8 million one-time increase for the Arts Council and an additional $4 million ongoing allocation for the state's Arts in Corrections program. Read the press release.

Handy Compliance Checklist Released

CalNonprofits has compiled a free comprehensive annual compliance checklist to help nonprofit organizations keep up-to-date with annual filing requirements. Check out the checklist.

Applications for 2016 Music Composition Awards Now Open

The Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation have announced a $300,000 fund for the creation and production of new music by California composers. The works are to be commissioned and premiered by Bay Area nonprofit arts organizations that can apply for grants of $50,000 each. The resulting works will have their world premieres in Bay Area public performances between December 2017 and June 2019. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations and based in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, or Sonoma counties.

Applications are available online at gerbode.org. Completed applications must be submitted to the Gerbode Foundation no later than 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2016. Grantees will be announced in January 2017.

Up and Down the Scale

Robin Freeman has been hired by the San Francisco Symphony as its new director of public relations. Prior to this appointment, Freeman held positions as associate director of communications at Sonoma State University's Green Music Center, communications manager at San Francisco Opera, director of public affairs at the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and in the artistic departments of Carnegie Hall and the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Tanglewood Music Center.

ACSO Board member Dean McVay has been elected president-elect of the San Bernardino Symphony. McVay will become the Symphony's president in 2017.

Joseph Morris is the Pacific Symphony's new principal clarinetist. Morris had previously been principal clarinetist with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Morris has performed as a soloist with the Burbank Philharmonic, Downey Symphony Orchestra, West Los Angeles Symphony, Middleton Community Orchestra and with the Colburn Orchestra.

The Santa Cruz Symphony has hired Cordelia Neff as its new director of administration, education and development. Most recently Neff was the executive director for the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. She succeeds Katie McKendry who resigned to pursue a graduate degree.

Take to the Road - Summer Music Festivals in California!

Bear Valley Music Festival; Mendocino Music Festival

California is home to some of the most fabulous Music Festivals in the world.

Find an ACSO member organization festival near you.

Links at Your Fingertips

ACSO members save $100 on the 3-day rate.

Online registration closes July 24th.

Book your hotel room at the Oakland Marriott City Center today!

Room rate cut-off: 11:59 PM on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, or when room block is full. Rooms are filling up fast so please reserve early to avoid disappointment!

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