St. Paul's Epistle - February 2011 ECMAEF Article
East Carolina Musical Arts Education Foundation
The following is a modified version of the East Carolina Music Art Education Foundation letter sent in December to all our Friends of the Fisk. Today, in thinking about this month’s Epistle article, it seems to me that those of you who are not already one of our Friends might (should?) have an interest in our magnificent Fisk Opus 126 and the part that it plays in furthering sacred music in our community. So here’s essentially what I wrote last month:
In these tough economic times, the past year or two have been difficult for many and the Friends income that we rely on has not, unfortunately, materialized as we had hoped. The Foundation’s annual operating expenses include approximately $6,000 in organ maintenance, tuning and utilities, $7000 in concert/workshop expenses and $5000 in publicity, competitions and fees. Given that our interest income is insignificant in the current economy, we therefore need approximately $18,000 in ordinary income just to break even. And in better times, we would want to provide for more concerts and for more innovative music programming — which for the moment are not financially possible. Our mission to promote sacred organ and choral music within and beyond Greenville plus, our responsibility for Opus 126, means that we must continue to rely on annual, sustaining contributions from our Friends — folks such as you and others who believe in the importance of hearing and interacting with the finest sacred music right here in Greenville, North Carolina. We want to be able to continue offering our educational and entertaining events as we look forward to the coming years. As a reminder, we have two fine opportunities coming — the first on Feb. 5, when Dr. Ann Labounsky and our own Mr. Andrew Scanlon will perform and then on March 25, when Dr. John Gillock will be our guest.
The letter concluded by expressing our heartfelt thanks to all who continue to support ECMAEF. I’m asking now for those of you who are not yet counted among our “Friends of the Fisk” family to prayerfully consider the huge part that Opus 126 plays in the music program of St Paul’s and therefore in the life of our church. All contributions are tax deductible and may be sent to ECMAEF, PO Box 1924, Greenville, NC 27835-1924.
Thank you!
Robert S. Gennings, president
ECMAEF
To view St. Paul's entire February 2011 Epistle, click here!
In these tough economic times, the past year or two have been difficult for many and the Friends income that we rely on has not, unfortunately, materialized as we had hoped. The Foundation’s annual operating expenses include approximately $6,000 in organ maintenance, tuning and utilities, $7000 in concert/workshop expenses and $5000 in publicity, competitions and fees. Given that our interest income is insignificant in the current economy, we therefore need approximately $18,000 in ordinary income just to break even. And in better times, we would want to provide for more concerts and for more innovative music programming — which for the moment are not financially possible. Our mission to promote sacred organ and choral music within and beyond Greenville plus, our responsibility for Opus 126, means that we must continue to rely on annual, sustaining contributions from our Friends — folks such as you and others who believe in the importance of hearing and interacting with the finest sacred music right here in Greenville, North Carolina. We want to be able to continue offering our educational and entertaining events as we look forward to the coming years. As a reminder, we have two fine opportunities coming — the first on Feb. 5, when Dr. Ann Labounsky and our own Mr. Andrew Scanlon will perform and then on March 25, when Dr. John Gillock will be our guest.
The letter concluded by expressing our heartfelt thanks to all who continue to support ECMAEF. I’m asking now for those of you who are not yet counted among our “Friends of the Fisk” family to prayerfully consider the huge part that Opus 126 plays in the music program of St Paul’s and therefore in the life of our church. All contributions are tax deductible and may be sent to ECMAEF, PO Box 1924, Greenville, NC 27835-1924.
Thank you!
Robert S. Gennings, president
ECMAEF
To view St. Paul's entire February 2011 Epistle, click here!
