2017.18
Annual Report
Our Mission
THE CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY WELCOMES AND ENGAGES SINGERS AND AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES, CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS, AND BELIEFS THROUGH INSPIRING PERFORMANCES, EXCELLENCE IN CHORAL SINGING, AND COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL INITIATIVES.
Contents 3
Board President Report
5
Season Highlights
6
Inspiring Singing in Schools
7
Excellence in Choral Singing
8
Financial Highlights and Impact
9
Special Recognitions
10
Thank You to Our Supporters
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Board and Staff
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BOARD PRESIDENT
REPORT Greetings, I am pleased to share our 2017.18 Annual Report with you. This report gives us a chance to share an update on the artistic and financial health of our organization. It also provides us an opportunity to recognize and thank the many donors, supporters, and members who strengthen and sustain this chorus. The 2017.18 season was an exciting year of growth for the Cathedral Choral Society. We concluded our search for the third Music Director in the history of our organization. In November 2017, we announced Steven Fox as Music Director Designate. He began work with us in January 2018, and it has been a joy to introduce Steven to our community of singers, donors, and audience members. During this transition period, we were fortunate to continue our work with excellent guest conductors. We are grateful for their leadership, which offered our chorus the opportunity to experience different styles and grow musically. Our thanks to Kent Tritle, Betsy Burleigh, Donald Nally, and Lawrence Loh, as well as Thea Kano for serving as our Guest Festival Director for our annual DC High School Choir Festival. The 2017.18 season was a particularly strong year for us in audience development. Our opening concert, Mozart Requiem, sold out. We had a fantastic Joy of Christmas weekend, performing three concerts to full crowds. Altogether, the 2017.18 season represented our best ticket sales in eleven years. It was a pleasure to welcome so many new audience members to the Cathedral, and we look forward to continued success as we enter a new artistic era. This annual report looks back on the achievements of the past season and shares our strategic direction and vision for the future. As always, thank you for your important and ongoing support.
Thomas C. Mugavero Board President
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8,180
Audience Members
2017.18 SEASON
HIGHLIGHTS The 2017.18 season was a year of transition, as we both announced the organization’s new Music Director and had the opportunity to continue our work with guest conductors to conclude the season.
glad to premiere a new carol by composer Paul Mealor, who attended the concerts. We were led by guest conductor Betsy Burleigh, who chairs the choral department at Indiana University.
Our opening concert on Sunday, October 15 was MOZART REQUIEM. The program featured this favorite classic, as well as Morten Lauridsen’s gorgeous Lux Aeterna. Kent Tritle, Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, led the concert.
Our March concert, SOLITUDE AND JOY, was a contemplative, awe-invoking concert. Guest conductor Donald Nally, of Philadelphia’s The Crossing, created a program inspired by a lyrical quote by writer Pascal Quignard. The selections were entirely from 20th and 21st century composers, including two new works by Alex Berko and Ēriks Ešenvalds. Cellist Thomas Mesa and organist Scott Dettra joined the chorus.
This season was our 41 year of our beloved JOY OF CHRISTMAS concerts. We welcomed guest ensembles Lyric Brass Quintet and Washington Latin Public Charter School Honors Choir. We were st
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Commissions for new works for chorus
In May, we concluded the season with a very special program in honor of composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein in his centennial year with BERNSTEIN: ODE TO FREEDOM. Guest conductor Lawrence Loh led a program that connected to Bernstein’s life as a humanitarian. Notably, we celebrated Bernstein’s 1973 “A Concert for Peace” at Washington National Cathedral by featuring the same piece performed at that concert: Haydn’s Mass in Time of War. One audience member wrote: “Every piece of music was performed beautifully. The concert really brought Bernstein to life...The reenactment of the ringing of the church bells was incredible. At the end of Haydn’s Mass the entire audience was silent and not one person clapped while waiting for the bells to ring. It was as if we were in 1973 all over again. Nothing short of magic.”
STRATEGIC GOAL: To create concert experiences that are engaging and relevant for today.
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INSPIRING SINGING IN
SCHOOLS
300
10 Choirs
Choir students
The Cathedral Choral Society works alongside choir directors to inspire and support singing in schools. Increasingly, we are working with school choir directors to understand their challenges and needs and support their work. We are also working to connect with students to provide resources and opportunities for them to sing in school, in the community, and with the Cathedral Choral Society. Last year our 13th annual High School Choir Festival was held at Washington National Cathedral and showcased students from public, private, and charter schools and two youth choirs in Washington, DC. The festival brings choirs together in a collaborative, non-competitive environment. Our Guest Festival Director was Dr. Thea Kano. Participating schools and choirs included: Edmund Burke School, Woodrow Wilson High School, Academy of the Holy Cross, St. Anselm’s Abbey School, Washington Latin Public Charter School, The MusicianShip’s Washington Youth Choir, Gonzaga College High School, St. Albans School, National Cathedral School, GenOUT Chorus of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, and Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. The festival day included combined rehearsals, sectionals, dinner, and a career talk with Dr. Kano. At the end of the program, all choirs and the DC Youth Orchestra came together to perform two works: Vivaldi’s Gloria and Moses Hogan’s “Elijah Rock.” Thank you to last year’s Festival Volunteers: Judith Griffiths, Michael McCarthy, Mary Olch, Jennifer Griffiths Orudjev, Ray Rhinehart, David Shilton, Andrea Wade, Ellis Wisner, and Margot Young
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STRATEGIC GOAL: To inspire and support singing in schools.
RECOGNIZING
CHORUS
MEMBERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND EXCELLENCE Soprano I Megan Burt Jessica Barness Anne Carman Joanne Casey Laura Cooman Tari Cooper Marcia D’Arcangelo Melissa Fox Renee Gamache Abigale Hobbs Kyla Kitamura Kelsey Kolasa Chana Kuhns Laura Laforest Chris Markus Marianna Martindale Kimberly Pacala Cynthia Shen Melanie Steinkamp Patricia Stephenson Elizabeth Wakefield Celeste Wanner
Soprano II Susanna Bieser Laura Connors Lesley Earl Sheri Economou Marian Gamboa Emily German Lori Kurtyka Wendy Lubarsky Emily McCullough Susan McDaid Catherine Ort-Mabry Felicia Pagden Franny Pratt Kyra Reumann-Moore Melissa Ryan Helen St. John Megan Sullivan Dianne Vandivier Margot Young
Alto I Mary Amorosino Violet Baker Kathleen Brion Sandra Caracciolo Robin Costanza Kayli Davis Kehan DeSousa Kalyah Ford Cindy Drakeman Holly Filipiak Susan Grad Ingrid Kauffman Gwyneth Kelly Beth Law Dagny LeMunyon Laura Miller Mary Olch Sarah Phillips Jane Roningen Margaret Shannon Eleanor Slota Maki Yasui
Alto II George Branyan Stephanie Cabell Laurene Church Kim Harris Pam Hazen Mary Hiebert-White Elizabeth Hoffmann Sarah Holmes Jennifer Griffiths Orudjev Teresa Polinske Larisa Prisacari Kate Schooltz Susan Stanford Natalie Torentinos Kathy Welling
Tenor I John Harbeson William Lacy Richard Larkin Peter Lee Christine Mulligan Robert Porter Robert Reeves Ray Rhinehart Martin Rosenthal John Schaettler Matt Taylor
Tenor II Scott Alman Doug Barry Ross Bradford Gregg Breen David Costanza David Dietly Brett Ewer Luke Fisher Jeremy Gosbee Mike Kelleher Michael McCarthy James Mixter Jack Moyer Thomas Mugavero Max Serpe Martyn Smith D.C. Washington
Bass I Jared Berry Jack Campbell Michael Droettboom John Hewes Giles Howson Lee Larson Andrew Madar Nic Petersen Chris Riggs Stephen Roberts James Schaller Arthur Smith Brad Stanford Richard Wanerman Clifton West Ellis Wisner
Bass II Ernest Abbott Daniel Banko-Ferran Christopher Buechler Kelly Cameron Thomas Chapman Benjamen Douglas Glenn Griffiths Scott McCorkindale David Shilton Gregory Watson
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS &
IMPACT
The Cathedral Choral Society is one of ten symphonic choruses across the United States with annual budgets in excess of $1 million. It is the oldest symphonic choral group in Washington, DC. It is the primary performing arts organization in residence at Washington National Cathedral. Our audience comes from all across the region, all fifty states, and around the world.
FY18 OPERATING REVENUE
FY18 OPERATING EXPENSE
Endowment Earnings 7%
Fundraising 8%
Annual Gala 10% Subscription & Single Tickets 36%
Chorus Dues 3%
Artistic and Education Programming 81%
Administration 11%
Government Grants 14%
Annual Fund Campaign 31%
$1,653,663
$1,631,827
ENDOWMENT
FUNDING PRIORITY
Our endowment funds are held with Morgan Stanley. Our Board Investment Committee meets with our investment managers regularly to review the existing portfolio and determine if adjustments are needed to the organization’s investment policy. As of June 30, 2018 the value of our overall endowment is $1,510,269.
Currently our funding priority is for ongoing annual support of our operations. This is followed closely by our need to grow general endowment support to ensure that contributed funds are available to support our work today and in the future.
STRATEGIC GOAL: To maintain long-term financial sustainability. If you would like to receive a copy of our audited financial statements or you have any questions about this financial overview of the Cathedral Choral Society, please contact Lindsay Sheridan at lsheridan@cathedral.org / 202-537-5524.
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ANNUAL AWARDS
IN HONOR THE ORDER OF MERIT FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP The Order of Merit for Outstanding Leadership recognizes the transformational achievement of an individual who has served the Cathedral Choral Society in a leadership capacity. Paul Juergensen The Cathedral Choral Society is pleased to recognize Paul with the Order of Merit. Paul served on the Board of Trustees for 8 years (2 terms). During that time he served as Chair of the Investment Committee and was instrumental in reviewing and strengthening investments and endowment practices. Paul also advised on planned giving and questions relating to Harmonia Society. He served as chair of the Executive Director Search Committee, the Personnel Committee, and served on the Executive and Development Committees. THE M. ELIZABETH AND CHARLES S. TIDBALL AWARD The M. Elizabeth and Charles S. Tidball Award recognizes extraordinary and meritorious volunteer service over many years. Dick Larkin The Cathedral Choral Society is pleased to recognize Dick with the Tidball Award. Dick has been a member of the Cathedral Choral Society for 39 years (tenor 1). During his nearly four decades in the chorus he has served on the Board and has been a steady member of the Finance Committee, Investment Committee, and the Audit Committee. He advises generously during the annual audit process and is an ambassador for CCS working to ensure that our finances are strong. COMMENDATION FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE The Commendation for Volunteer Service recognizes noteworthy and exceptional volunteer service. Kathy Brion The Cathedral Choral Society is pleased to recognize Kathy for her dedication as a volunteer. Kathy has worked tirelessly as a Board Trustee (singer representative), Chorus Affairs Committee member, past Gala auction cochair, and all-around volunteer. Emily German, Jeremy Gosbee, and Chris Markus The Cathedral Choral Society is pleased to recognize these three chorus members who served on the Music Director Search Committee. They were wonderful ambassadors for CCS, each taking on a leadership role at various points in the process and ensuring that our process was excellent throughout. COMMENDATION FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS This commendation recognizes individuals and organizations who have helped the Cathedral Choral Society achieve important objectives that could not otherwise be obtained. Cathedral Sextons The Cathedral Choral Society is pleased to recognize the Cathedral Sextons, whose work behind the scenes facilitates all that we do. Every concert and event set up is made possible by the sextons who arrive early, stay late, and keep the Cathedral pristine for all to enjoy. 9
THANK YOU TO OUR
SUPPORTERS
THE CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY IS PLEASED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR 2017.18 ANNUAL FUND. Paul Callaway Associates $20,000 and more The Estate of Nevin E. Kuhl Sustaining Patron $10,000 and more Anonymous Ernest*^ and Catherine Abbott Guarantor Patron $5,000 and more D. Philip Baker Thomas P. Gallagher Patricia D. Hevner^ Sarah B. Holmes*^ and John B. Morris Jr. Celeste Avril Letourneau^ Thomas C. Mugavero*^ Mary B. Olch* Gerald W.^ and Alice Padwe Stephen S. Roberts* Martin Rosenthal*^ and Corinne Axelrod Chorus Section Patron $2,500 and more Arthur† and Connie† Eggers Nancy M. Folger Richard* and Celia Larkin Virginia C. Mars^ Lolly and Jim*^ Mixter Catherine E. Ort-Mabry* and Brian K. Mabry Margarita Ossorio-Goldman^ and Daniel Goldman John E. Moyer* and Jane R. Passman Frances H. Pratt* Unsung Hero $1,000 and more Eric P. Andersen* and W. David Young II Betty J. Beard Jeanne Buster Laura M. Connors* Blanche L. Curfman Edison and Sally Dick Walter^ and Joanne Doggett George and Sheri* Economou Charles Leonard Egan Genevieve^ and Sean Twomey Mary-T^ and Spencer Gordon William M. Leach†
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Susan McDaid* Samuel C. Miller James and Christine* Mulligan Raymond Rhinehart* and Walter Smalling, Jr. James* and Madeleine Schaller T. Michael and Linda Shortal Guy and Margaret^ Steuart The Estate of M. Elizabeth and Charles Tidball Nancy H. Wiecking
Leander and Stephanie McCormick-Goodhart Scott and Nancy Pinckney Suzanne and Robert Rooney David* C. Shilton Sinclair Winton Gene^ and Sheryl Tunison Tom and Linda Veblen Richard and Virginia Wagner Dorothy M. Woodcock Evelyn D. Woolston-May
Patron $500 and more Jessica Barness* Joanne Casey* Alice M. Denney Lynn B. Dutton Cary C. Fuller Jeremy Gosbee* Glenn S.* and Judith M. Griffiths Robert W. Jerome and William J. Courville C. F. Muckenfuss III and Angela Lancaster Peter* and Lauralyn Lee Christina M. Markus* Kimberly* and Mark Pacala Lynn Rhomberg John F. Schaettler* Elizabeth Steuart-Kret Elinor and James Vaughter Kathleen W. and Walter Weld Douglas H. and Catherine T. Wheeler Margot T. Young*
Donor $100 and more Anonymous (3) Mary Amorosino* Mark J. Andrews Violet Baker* Doug Barry* and Liz Eder Elizabeth Bartholomew Jane C. Bergner Gordon L. Biscomb Herman Bostick Madeleine M. Brown Stephen and Sandra* Caracciolo Marilyn Clark Vera I. Connolly Roberta and Philip Cronin Holly Cumberland Sharrill Dittmann Neil and Carolyn Goldman Hilton Lee Graham William and Margaret Greer George E. Groninger George Hanc Frederick S. Hird Paul and Ellen Hoff Lee McGraw Hoffman Martha Jones Louis E. and Ruth H. Kahn Michael Emile Karam Ingrid Kauffman* Laurie Keegan Mary Ruth Keller Gary and Judy Kushnier George Robert Lamb Rosemary Lyon James W. and Kathleen E. Madden Rosemary Marcuss Barbara and John McGraw Robert Turner Mead Joseph and Rebecca Metro Mindy Nash
Sponsor $250 and more Margaret M. Ayres and Stephen Case Catherine H. Beauchamp Andrew and Kaye Boesel Timothy W. and Patricia R. Carrico James W. Clay* John Da Camara Holly*^ and Trevor Filipiak Earl and Phyllis Hannum Anne R. Harris Michael Kelly George Londeree Wendy Palmby Lubarsky* Tom Manteuffel and Margaret Sheeran Ann F. McCormick-McQuillan
Coleman H. and Elizabeth B. O’Donoghue Susan D. Ohnmacht Ronald C. Perera Suzanne M. and B. Dwight Perry Warren and Marianne Pfeiffer Rondi K. Pillette and Steven A. Levin Christine Pintz Joan A. Pirie Chuck Pratt and Alexandra England Jacqueline Prince Theodora Radcliffe Andrew and Rebecca Reumann-Moore Jane* and Vernon Roningen Patrick Shannon Jim and Linda Sheridan L. Bradley Stanford*^ Patricia Stephenson* Keiko Stusnick Alice Sziede Ann Tickner Kevin and Andrea Wade Sam Yoon Friend $50 and more Anonymous (2) Ruth E. Akers Delsie M. Bolton Jennifer Bradley Helen Carras Nancie S. Coan Kathleen A. Felton Neil and Mary Fisher Brenda Kay Greene Hanna M. Hall John* and Ann Harbeson Robert and Parma Holt Dolores Kirby Richard and Jeanne Lambert Jay and Marion Richter Audrey A. Ross Alan and Geraldine Schechter Ann Imlah Schneider Megan Sullivan* John and P.S. Taylor Phyllis C. Wertime Sandra H. Wilson *Chorus Member ^Board Trustee †Deceased
THANK YOU TO OUR GOVERNMENT AND FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities U.S. Commission of Fine Arts National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program Anonymous Dallas Morse Coors Foundation Dimick Foundation Mars Foundation The Meredith Foundation The Richard Eaton Foundation
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SUPPORTERS Corporate Champion $2,000+ PEPCO, an Exelon Company JMR Concrete Construction Clark Construction Group, LLC Exxon Mobil Foundation Reed Smith, LLP
Corporate Investor $1,500+ IBM Sentinel Wealth Management, Inc.
Corporate Leader $1,000+ Bogart Wealth Management
Corporate Advocate $500+ Starbrite Dental, the Office of Dr. Maryam Seifi Corporate Supporter $10+ Ameriprise Financial - Kim, Hopkins & Associates Messina, Canal & Moawad, DDS
Thank you TO OUR GALA SPONSORS
LYRIC SPONSORS
Ernest and Catherine Abbott Walter and Joanne Doggett Lolly and Jim Mixter Thomas P. Gallagher Patricia D. Hevner John E. Moyer and Jane Passman PEPCO, an Exelon Company
SERENADE SPONSORS Jessica Barness Brian and Donna Bogart Mary-T Gordon Paul Juergensen Celeste A. Letourneau Thomas C. and Patti Mugavero Margarita Ossorio-Goldman and Daniel Goldman Margaret and Guy Steuart UBS Financial
Last year’s gala, SING A NEW SONG, took place at the Cathedral on Friday, April 27. We celebrated our chorus members, new Music Director, and high school choir directors with food, drink, and performances.
DUET SPONSORS
A. Scott Bolden Kris Brown Coleman and Jonathan Coleman James and Anne Carman Clark Construction Group, LLC James Coates and Elizabeth Ryne Blanche Curfman Holly and Trevor Filipiak Cary Fuller Mary Garner Glenn and Judith Griffiths Sally Hamidi Virginia Mars
Jennifer Griffiths-Orudjev and Alec Orudjev Martin Rosenthal and Corinne Axelrod Gerald and Alice Padwe Reed Smith, LLP James and Madeleine Schaller Franceska and Chris Schroeder John Ellis Wisner Evelyn Woolston-May
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BOARD AND STAFF 2017.18 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ernest Abbott Kathleen Brion Kristi S. Brown, Secretary Walter B. Doggett III, Treasurer Diana F. Dykstra Holly Filipiak Patricia Hevner, Vice President
Sarah Holmes Celeste A. Letourneau James M.E. Mixter, Jr. Thomas Mugavero, President Jennifer Griffiths Orudjev Margarita Ossorio-Goldman Gerry Padwe
Kevin Rosengren Martin S. Rosenthal L. Bradley Stanford Margaret Steuart Genevieve C. Twomey, Executive Director
HONORARY TRUSTEES Mary-T Gordon Virginia C. Mars
2017.18 CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY STAFF Emily Alcorn, Annual Fund & Events Coordinator Laura Crook Brisson, Operations Coordinator Steven Fox, Music Director Designate Anna Lipowitz, Operations & Education Programs Manager
Introducing
Joy Schreier, Program Advisor & Pianist Lindsay Sheridan, Director of Marketing & Communications Genevieve Twomey, Executive Director
STEVEN FOX
In November 2017, the Cathedral Choral Society was pleased to announced Steven Fox as its third Music Director. Steven began work with the organization in January 2018, and his conducting premiere is the 2018.19 season. Steven is the Artistic Director of The Clarion Orchestra and The Clarion Choir, and Founder of Musica Antiqua St. Petersburg, which he established as Russia’s first period-instrument orchestra. A 2017 GRAMMY® nominee, he has appeared as a guest conductor with many renowned ensembles including Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in San Francisco, Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, l’Opéra de Québec, and Music of the Baroque in Chicago. Steven has been called “an esteemed director” by The New Yorker and “visionary” by BBC Music Magazine.
CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY Washington National Cathedral 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 Call us at: 202-537-5510
CATHEDRALCHORALSOCIETY.ORG