Branch Meeting
Date: Monday, November 21, 2022
Location: Zoom/Online
Official Meeting start at 10:05am
Participants include Thelma, Arisa, Nicole, Nobuyo, Mariko, Alla and Laura.
Introduction from Branch President Thelma Mericle – Welcome to any new members to the branch
Arisa Ogino says hello as the branch treasurer and is planning on co-chairing both the Contemporary and Bach Festival for the upcoming season.
Nicole Nale introduces herself as the former President of the Branch and Co-chair of the Bach Festival with Arisa.
Thelma discusses Neighborhood Watch as she is also on the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council.
The events planning for the year commences with a listing of the events, potential dates, venues and chairs for each. These details are listed below:
– Contemporary Festival – Chairs: Arisa & Michelle – Jan. 8 or 15 @LAVC
– General Recital – Chairs: Thelma & Alla – February 19 @Sherman Oaks Methodist Church
– Classical/Romantic Festival – Chairs: Nobuyo & Mariko – March 19 @LAVC
– Bach Festival – Chairs: Arisa & Nicole – April 16 @Steinway Galleries OR KC
– Scholarship Competition – TBD @Steinway Galleries
– Spring Festival – TBD
(* LAVC= Los Angeles Valley College/ KC= Keyboard Concepts)
Volunteers for open chairing positions were asked to be filled by members currently in attendance at the meeting. Nobuyo, Mark, Thelma and Alla all offered services for the respective positions above. For currently open positions that need to be filled for each event, Thelma asked that any branch members please contact her directly via email.
Discussed that each of the venues and dates are not set in stone as the venues need to be contacted to secure the dates suggested.
– Thelma is reaching out to LAVC this week and will confirm the proposed dates when response is received.
– Arisa is calling Steinway Galleries Pasadena to check dates and booking requirements.
We are covered for Insurance for events as attached in the Zoom invitation email to all branch members.
Thelma asks Arisa to briefly go over the Registration Fees from past events. They are as follows:
– General – $20
– Contemporary – $27
– Class/Rom – $27
– Bach – $35
– Scholarship – $30
The need to raise fees for Competitive Events was brought up and was set to be determined for the next meeting with more members in attendance and a better idea of events’ details.
Arisa gave a quick rundown of the current financial status of the branch. The total funds are currently $12762.07, but we have to stay above $10k to stay out of the red. Each event should be supporting itself in terms of paying for venue, judges and any other costs.
This led into the discussion about the Scholarship Competition Awards for the future. As Mark has been the chair for this event, it was agreed that these decisions should be ironed out with him. The suggestion being that the First Prize Winners receive a monetary award only and therefore cutting the second place prize.
The next meeting was set for Monday, December 19 at 10am. The venue will be over Zoom again and members will log in using the same link as this meeting. Arisa will resend over email so the link is readily available closer to the date of the meeting. The plan for this meeting is to finalize the dates, venues and registration fees for each event moving into the new year.
Arisa and Nicole will forward the Minutes and Zoom Recording for Thelma to send out to all branch members not in attendance to catch up on.
Thelma asks if there are any other suggestions or issues to bring to the table.
– Nobuyo suggests that the Class/Rom Festival not be adjudicated and just a themed performance if costs are a concern for judges.
– Laura adds that it was originally instated for students to receive commentary without the competitive aspect of other festivals.
– It is moved and voted on to have branch teachers provide feedback to the students rather than hire outside judges.
Meeting is wrapped up by Thelma with some safety tips for everyone over the holidays (see Zoom Recording for details) and with Blessings to all and a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!
Meeting Ends at around 10:40am