Individual, corporate contributors still needed
GAYLORD, MN, September 2, 2019 – La Grande Bande (LGB) is happy to announce that it has been awarded a Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council (PLRAC) grant for its upcoming 2019 – 2020 season. The PLRAC grant is the second La Grande Bande has received in support of its 2019 – 2020 season. The first grant was awarded by the Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation (Rochester, MN).
“We are incredibly honored to have received a second PLRAC grant in a matter of five months,” noted Music & Artistic Director, Michael Thomas Asmus. “We’re humbled by the support that we have seen from the Prairie Lakes board, and we are eager for the season to begin.”
Like many organizations, La Grande Bande cannot count on the support of Foundations and Granting organizations alone. Over half of its season budget is dependent upon individual and corporate contributors. “The budget is really large for the 2019 – 2020 Season,” Asmus noted. “It’s actually well over $30,000.00 for the entire season, a 75-percent increase from our Sibley East Education Project (SEEP) in May.”
The reasons for the large budget? A huge amount of programming. In comparison with its SEEP, La Grande Bande has expanded its season concert offerings by 80-percent, it’s masterclass programming by 50-percent, and its one-of-a-kind open rehearsal sessions by 75-percent. LGB is also launching its first outreach concert which will take place at Oak Terrace, Gaylord on September 20, a few hours before the season opening concert.
“We are trying to make as much of our programing free to the public as we can,” said Asmus. “We ask for a small fee for educational project participants, which is used to cover about 25-percent of our expenses for that program. If requested, will waive the fee. Our aim is to make that program completely, 100-percent free for the 2020 – 2021 season.”
La Grande Bande’s open rehearsals, which typically begin at 3:00 pm at the performance venue, are free and open to the public. As described in LGB’s season proposal,
Open rehearsal sessions provide an opportunity to hear the concert’s music for those who cannot afford a ticket. Providing access to high-quality art, and helping others learn about and appreciate music, is an important part of La Grande Bande’s educational mission. Open rehearsals create an atmosphere of dialogue between ensemble members and members of the community. We encourage those in attendance to speak with us before and after rehearsal, and during rehearsal breaks.
Open rehearsals create an atmosphere of dialogue between ensemble members and members of the community. We encourage those in attendance to speak with us before and after rehearsal, and during rehearsal breaks.
The full season concert and open rehearsal schedule is available at their website www.lagrandebande.org/season1920. You may also pick up a season brochure at various locations throughout Arlington, Gaylord, and Winthrop.
The season opens on Friday, September 20 at 7:00 pm with “Concert I: La musique de la chambre” at First Lutheran Church in Winthrop. The open rehearsal session runs from 3:00 – 5:00. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lagrandebande.org/tickets.
**This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund**Share