Community Group Missions

How healthy is the musical community in your hometown? Do you know? Why should we know?

I recently posted to the NASA (North American Saxophone Alliance) regarding how to promote the value and role of community based musical groups. You must be a member to have access to the Forums. So, I suggest anyone interested in the world of Saxophone (or just good music for that matter) to join. There are some really great ideas coming out of my initial thread after only a 1 day post life.

So, back to the question -- how healthy is the musical community in your hometown? I usually think of our hometown as the surrounding area, or the general area where we perform. The key to understanding the healthiness of your surrounding area is to look at the indicators. Here are a few from our area that may give you some ideas on how to measure yours.

1. We have a healthy Symphonic Organization - the Williamsport Symphony, with local corporate and organizational support is a strong member of our musical community. The concerts are varied, pulling in - YES -- SAXOPHONES -- and many others styles, soloists and performance opportunities. Of course, the group is mostly supported by local musicians who are teachers, professionals or non-music career individuals. The group has a long history with a continued bright future.
2. We have 4 Post Secondary Music Programs (3 University and 1 College) within our area. 3 of which are no more than a 30 minute drive from Danville, my hometown, and 1 about an hour. They include Susquehanna University, Bloomsburg University, Lycoming College and Mansfield University. Having attended performance by all of these programs in the last year, the performance level, faculty and student base seem to all be growing in strength and performance level. Kudos to all.
3. In 4 of our local community villages, towns and cities, Lewisburg, Williamsport and Danville and Bloomsburg, Music plays a central role in community events. Each of these communities has town park concert series events with great venues. I have played in and attended events at all, most times to full houses (although hard to determine in the park :-)
4. Most of our area has strong public school programs with little evidence of cuts. Many of our smaller schools have concert band programs, school musicals, marching bands, jazz bands and small ensembles. I would also add that many music programs have ventured into the technology age, using music applications to help students learn and create music, including recordings.
5. Our area was also honored as the host of the Governors Awards for the Arts Ceremony recently. Williamsport PA was the center of the Arts a few weeks back. It is great to have a high level of visibility brought to an area.
6. Mansfield University recently announced the creation of a Entrepreneurial Development Center on campus. The focus will be on the arts, including music. The business of the arts is growing. The creation of a center of this nature is incredible evidence that combining arts and business opportunity can be beneficial both artistically and economically in our communities. I am excited to watch or help that program grow.
   

These indicators are somewhat anecdotal. To validate my vision that our area is a healthy musical community, I would want to look at statistics including concert attendees, dollars spent per capita on arts development, college enrollment stats, as well as the levels of music being performed within our schools. As most of us would find, getting that information is tough. So, for now, going on my indicators, I do feel we are headed in the right direction.

But, as we all know, this direction can quickly change. For example, if we allow ourselves to sit back on past successes, the bright spot light on the musical arts we are seeing now can quickly dim. I often compare our mission to that of the many lost family fun parks throughout our region. If you ever driven by the rusted gates of a once grand and spectacular family fun park, you will know what I mean. During their heyday, it was hard to imagine a time when the gates would be locked and the rides inoperable. But, the day did come, and could come for the musical arts if we allow.

As a community group however, the mission is not all that tough. We don't have to think too hard about how to keep music alive. We simply have to do what we do, and do it as much as we can, and talk about what we do, and encourage others THROUGH our love of what we do, to continue to support the musical arts. No one can be forced to do something they do not want to do or cannot do. But, we can all be MOTIVATED to do something when we truly, innately love to do it. That is our mission!

So, why should we know how healthy are music community is? Because when we do, we know how we can be part of that community, and how we can help. For 2009, I feel a renewed sense of ensuring each time KSQ performs, that we take a minute to discuss how strong our musical community is, and how happy we are to be part of that community. And, of course, encourage the continued support and growth of our art. I would love to see 10 new PA based sax quartets form this year and join in our efforts.

Get to know your community -- think about the indicators and measures of success and start to form a clear picture of where your group can help. If your area is struggling -- think about ways to spread the word. And, of course, think about how groups like KSQ can help. If you are in PA -- use our website to invite us to your town. We would love to help.