Peninsula Music Festival Inc

Causes: Arts & Culture, Music, Performing Arts, Symphony Orchestras

Mission: The peninsula music festival, inc. Is committed to the presentation of excellent performances by a professional symphony orchestra and the enhancement of music appreciation and education in door county, wisconsin.

Programs: The peninsula music festival, inc. (pmf) finances and presents excellent performances by a professional orchestra of dedicated musicians each summer in door county, wisconsin. The pmf presents a broad repertoire, promotes young artists and encourages the appreciation of music. The pmf was founded in 1953 by lorenz heise, kay wilson, and thor johnson and was inspired by the early moravian music festival. Currently having completed its 65th year, the pmf presents nine different concerts the first three weeks of august every year featuring musicians representing america's finest orchestras. Each concert features a guest artist of national stature. The pmf is the only fully professional symphony orchestra in northeast wisconsin. Victor yampolsky, head of orchestras at northwestern university, has been the conductor and music director for 32 years. Additional presentations include winter chamber concerts and benefit concerts. Additionally, the pmf provides college scholarships and summer music awards. There is also an extensive internship program available in arts administration. Over 6,000 people attended the nine concerts. In the last 26 years, the operating budget of the pmf has grown substantially. The endowment has grown from $450,000 to $4. 6 million in 20 years. The conservative strategy set by the trustees that stresses long-term stability rather than quick growth has paid off for the pmf. The pmf prides itself on focusing on the high quality of the orchestra and operating with low administrative overhead. In the previous ten years, the administrative portion of the budget only grew at a rate of 1. 5%. The endowment has continued to grow through strong, stable investments and additional contributions. The board of directors has committed itself to raising an additional $1 million for the endowment over five years and has raised well over half that amount in the four years of the campaign so far. The pmf awarded a college scholarship this past year and numerous music awards to encourage music students to attend camps and take private lessons. The pmf also supported the gibraltar high school music boosters through a donation and has partnered with the sevastopol music boosters to provide the concessions at concerts. This was the seventh year of the festival's $10 student/children ticket program which was underwritten by a generous donation from the maihaugen foundation and other local donations. Over 200 young people took advantage of the $10 ticket for any seat to any concert at any time. In addition to the nine concerts in three weeks, the pmf presented february fest which featured members of the orchestra in chamber ensembles. February fest keeps the pmf in the public eye during the 11 months from september to august. It also allows audience members to hear the depth of talent in the orchestra by bringing orchestra members back during the off season to perform. The audience enjoys hearing the concerts, as well as having a chance to become familiar with the orchestra members in a more intimate setting and during the quiet time of the year. The emerging conductor program completed its fifth year with over thirty applicants for three positions. The first two years were trial years and thanks to feedback from our 'guinea pigs' has now been adapted as a part of the festival's education outreach programs. The peninsula music festival's emerging conductor program will provide training and exposure for aspiring conductors with a professional orchestra. The programs intention is to provide broad experience with all aspects of orchestra conducting and management to enhance their career goals. The pmf operates with no accumulated deficit. The pmf continues to work with the roads scholar program (formally elder hostel) to present two one-week programs on the history and workings of the pmf. The program has grown to two programs for one week each for the past two years. 59 travelers participated in the program. This program has been booked for 2018 and the second week will continue if enrollment dictates the need. The pmf sustaining committee (our volunteer arm) continues to be the backbone of the organization. 55 volunteers provide thousands of hours of service to the organization by picking up guest artists from the airport, providing food for musicians, and working as ushers and parking attendants for the concerts. For evaluation purposes, the pmf currently uses a three-phase evaluation system set forth by the leage of american orchestras. The components include: administrative - we look at the organizational structure, board, staff and volunteers as well as marketing and development; financial - planning and reporting; artistic - repertoire, operational and professional development. Though our geographic location continues to challenge us, the pmf had one of its best years ever. The pmf achieved many of its goals and fulfilled its mission thanks to a strong board of directors, a well-trained administrative staff, and a great core of volunteers. This trio has provided the financial resources for the pmf to grow where it counts - in the quality of its artistic product and its outreach to the people in the community it serves.