In last year’s annual report, CMW’s Treasurer, Jane King wrote, “…we have within us another two years of wonderful music in keeping with the high standards set many years ago”. Her guidance this past year was indispensable. Given all the realities that Chamber Music West was facing, the Board of Directors reluctantly voted to dissolve Chamber Music West at the end of the 2010-2011 season. During 2009-2010 discussions were held with the Phoenix Chamber Music Society. The culmination of these discussions is that the Society has signed an agreement in which PCMS would be the recipient of CMW’s endowment now managed by the Arizona Community Fund. In addition, PCMS would suitably credit CMW for the transfer of this endowment providing special recognition and biography of Jack de Ward and his endowment to further the appreciation of chamber music. We will have a joint publicity campaign regarding our agreement, which includes working together to bring a concert to Sun City for a minimum of two seasons, working with PCMS on two school programs in the West Valley during the 2011-2012 and the addition of a CMW Board member to the PCMS Board.
Nancy Root and the Artistic Advisory Committee put together a magnificent 2009-2010 concert season with a wide range of artists and music. For our final season, the Committee has booked quite possibly the finest concert series, starting with Chanticleer in October, Interpreti Veneziani in November, Pacifica Quartet in December, the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio in February, Caio Pagano in March and David Finckel and Wu Han in April, finishing the series. Our thanks to the Committee for their hard work and excellent choices.
Our concerts would not happen without the generous support of our patrons, benefactors, supporters , members and friends. They have all been incredibly generous in supporting CMW. Our thanks to Nancy Ehlen for taking the responsibility for asking our contributors for their support, which raised $31,950 from 15 individual contributors. These contributions are more important than ever as our season and general ticket sales decline.
Our thanks to Connie Castillo for writing and putting together New Notes for publication. This was an important piece containing information on the entire season as well as other programs. We appreciate Nancy Coburn for assisting in the distribution of our brochure and mailings.
A special acknowledgement to the Financial Advisory Committee, led by Bob Wixon, for reviewing our financial position for the year and making recommendations regarding prudent financial measures. The Committee recommended that we have an additional concert in March 2011 for better continuity in season attendance rather than having two dark months, and the Board approved this recommendation.
Susan Keedy and the School Program Committee again provided a lifetime experience of live educational performances and/or master classes to the West Valley students. Eleven concerts were performed for an audience of approximately 1500 students and teachers.
It is always a pleasure, which is often remarked on by members of the audience, to have the National Honor Society students from Willow Canyon High School as ushers at our concerts. We thank Muriel Stone Johnson for providing the leadership.
Ellie Tapscott served as Secretary, providing the Board with the minutes and assisted in the efficient flow of business. It is not an easy job to distill discussions into accurate organizational records.
It has been a busy year and we must extend our special thanks and gratitude to Mona Myhre, Executive Director for her continued excellent work in keeping CMW operations and concerts flowing smoothly.
It has been an honor serving with all of you on CMW’s Board and I offer my sincere appreciation for all that you do and have done.
Ellen C. Straney, President
Chamber Music West
View 501 (c)(3) Tax Determination Letter (Adobe PDF)
View 2009-2010 President's Annual Report (Adobe PDF)
View 990 (2008) (Adobe PDF)
