NACUSA Meeting Minutes

Friday, February 7, 2003, 7:30 at the home of Herb Gellis

Present: Owen Lee (President), Iılana Cotton, Yuhong Ja, Anne Baldwin
(Treasurer), Herb Gellis (Vice President), John Beeman and Joanne Carey (Secretary).

National Report, Iılana  Cotton

There was recently a national meeting in Los Angeles. At this meeting they
adopted by-laws and discussed contracts with recording companies.
There were nothing new to report though regarding contracts with
recording companies

Dues: National and Chapter dues were discussed.  There is some confusion
regarding the stated amount of our NACUSAsf chapter dues, which are $5
higher than other chapters.

Anne reported that some people have not yet paid their chapter
dues; she will send an e-mail requesting payment. Paying National dues
allows you to be a member and receive the newsletter and benefits; paying
chapter dues allows you to submit works to be performed by that chapter.  It
was noted that Karel Husa belongs to all the chapters and submits works to
many of them.   

Treasurer's Report, Anne Baldwin

Currently we have $1,940

We made approximately $1,000 from our last concert from ticket sales,
refreshments and the sale of donated scores.  Other income during this
period was: 

Garages sale:  $581
Dues received:  $ 470
Percussion seminar:  $140

Expenses for String Fling:

Quartet:  $1,600 
Hall, house manger and printing:  $255

In conclusion, Owen suggests that we try to end each season with enough
money to fund the first concert of our next season.

Publicity: 

Owen asked Herb to send an e-mail announcement/flyer to members, which they
can pass on to friends and acquaintances.  It was decided to send a plain
text version and a JPEG.  John suggested including a message urging
composers having a piece performed to attend pre-concert mailing meetings.

Discussion of our audience base:

At Herbıs suggestion, we decided to have a general mailing list sign-in at
our concerts to try to expand our audience.  Herb offered to take charge of
this using a laptop for this purpose.

New member:  Yuong Ja

Our new member, Yuhong Ja, introduced himself.  He told us that he moved
here from China 8 years ago;  he has a Ph.D in electrical engineering, which
he taught in China. Pieces he has written include a symphonic poem about the
suffering of the Chinese under the communist regime.

Silicon Valley Arts Report, Herb Gellis

This arts coalition group recently had a gala fundraiser with a silent
auction of donated items. Herb discussed the gala, noting that Nancy played
cocktail piano for the group, and the possibility of using similar
fund-raising strategies. They had 64 auction items, 150-200 people came and
they made $4,500 from the auction. We are planning a silent auction for our
June concert.  He discussed ways we could get desirable items to offer.
Continued sale of donated scores and NACUSA CDıs was also suggested.

Composerıs Concert  March 8th:

Jobs were assigned 

Tickets:  Anne and Iılana
Audience mailing sign-up:  Herb, with Joanne helping
Stage manager: Owen
Master of Ceremonies to give introductory remarks:  Mark Alburger was
elected for this job.

General concerns 

Because of the difficulty of gathering pieces that we can play ourselves,
and the tendency to have too many piano pieces, Owen suggested composers no
longer be required to perform their own music at Composers Can Play, Too!,
and that they may enlist other composers and friends to perform their music.
Motion, John Beeman, to change the rules for Composers Can Play, Too!
to accept works even if the composer does not intend to perform the work
him/herself, and to accept tape pieces. Joanne  2nd.
Passed. 

John said he would solicit willing performers from our group of composers
and make a list Composers Can Play, Too! performers.

June concert: 

Our performing group includes cello, piano, flute and soprano.

Pacific Sticks concert, Fall:

Owen asked for a catchy title for this concert.  He suggested "The Big
Bang".  At the behest of Joanne, more ideas will be solicited by e-mail.

Closing Remarks: 

Owen reminded everyone to prune his or her personal mailing list on the web
site.  

Owen noted that we would be assigning two new members to the selection
committee for the next season.  We will take that up at the May/June
meeting.  

John asked if anyone was interested in a professional recording project,
with the idea of reducing costs to individuals by putting together a joint
recording that would showcase several composers. Herb reviewed the Nevsky
project and told us about a Mt View Composer, Linda Worsley who will hire
musicians and put them together with a mixer. This is a cheaper method of
getting a piece recorded that requires several players.

Meeting adjourned at about 10:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Joanne D. Carey, Secretary to NACUSAsf