Strategic Planning

Articles

Learning Leadership

“More than just waving our hands”

Don Lee | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Management/Leadership, Professional, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

Many choral directors take on administrative responsibility with little formal preparation. Here are strategies to excel in the office and boardroom as well as the concert hall. Read more

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The Art of Strategic Alliances

Matthew Sigman | Composing/Commissioning, Governance, Innovation, Management/Leadership, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

When do partnerships add value and when do they distract from a chorus’s mission? Philadelphia’s venerable Mendelssohn Club explores the spectrum of collaboration, from artistic to administrative. Read more

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The Art of Strategic Alliances: Best Practices

Matthew Sigman | Composing/Commissioning, Conducting, Governance, Innovation, Professional, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

Considering a strategic alliance? You might also want to consider these best practices drawn from the major findings of the Mendelssohn Club's Strategic Alliances study featured in the article "The Art of Strategic Alliances" by Matthew Sigman. Read more

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On Broccoli and Strategic Planning

How Chorus America Ate Its Green Vegetables

Todd Estabrook | Governance, Management/Leadership, Strategic Planning

Most of us react to strategic planning like kids encountering strange green foodstuffs—we don't like it even if it is good for us! Here's how Chorus America tackled the job, and more importantly, why. Read more

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When an "Elevator Speech" Isn't Enough

Todd Estabrook | Governance, Impact/Value, Marketing/Public Relations, Strategic Planning

A mission statement that articulates not just who you are but why you matter will help your chorus stand out in the eyes of potential singers, audiences, and donors. Read more

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Chorus America Has an Appetite for Learning

And What the Choral Field and Fruit Flies Have in Common!

Ann Meier Baker | Education, Governance, Impact/Value, Management/Leadership, Strategic Planning

For an organization to make significant progress it needs collective thinking, an appetite for learning, and the ability to adapt. Read more

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Managing the Transition to a Community Board

Mary Ann de Barbieri | Governance, Strategic Planning

Choruses undergo many transitions in their life span—founder transitions, music director transitions, transitions from volunteer to paid staff. Perhaps the most delicate of these important transitions is the evolution from a singer board to a community board. This shift from a board comprised predominately of singers who have responsibility for every facet of the organization to a governing body with broad community representation can be both a challenging and lengthy process. Read more

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Navigating a Founder Transition

Smooth Sailing or Rough Seas?

Mary Ann de Barbieri | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning

What image comes to mind when you hear the term founder transition? Do you think tempest? Do you think sunset cruise? During my work as an arts management consultant I have encountered many organizations navigating a founder transition. This experience has given me a great deal of respect for those who have made successful founder transitions and is the basis for the observations and suggestions I share with organizations facing this important evolution. Read more

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Resources

Navigating a Music Director Transition

An Online Seminar

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technology

Responding to survey data that revealed that 33% of responding conductors were founding directors that anticipated retiring from their ensembles within 5-10 years, Chorus America created this online seminar, Navigating a Music Director Transition. Packed full of video interviews with leaders in the field who have addressed this transition from all different roles (departing music director, incoming music director, board president, executive director, search committee member, etc.), as well as practical worksheets and tools, the 4-part seminar is a vital resource for any choruses anticipating an artistic change. Read more

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Nonprofit Chorus Self-Evaluation Tool

Chorus America Staff | Evaluation, Governance, Legal/Licensing, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

A comprehensive evaluation tool for choruses that addresses nine areas: organizational purpose, programs & evaluation, governance, planning, fundraising, financial stability & transparency, marketing & public relations, human resources, and operations & facilities. Each section's questions are organized from legal minimums to best practices. Read more

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Strategic Plan Template

Chorus America Staff | Governance, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning

Use this template as a guide for your chorus. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Where to Publicize the Search

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Marketing/Public Relations, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

A list of chorus- and arts-specific job boards. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Sample Search Timeline

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning

A sample timeline to help with music director search planning. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Readiness Quiz

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

Is your chorus ready for a founder transition? This 9-question quiz will help you determine the answer. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Orientation Materials Checklist

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Operations, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning

A checklist of documents and organizational background to prepare for the incoming music director. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Developing a Communications Plan

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Marketing/Public Relations, Sample/Template, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

A worksheet to help choruses communicate to all constituents in the event of an artistic founder transition. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Determining Your Organizational Direction

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Governance, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

Thirteen questions to help determine the future of the chorus when an artistic founder transition is imminent. Read more

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'Music Director Transition' Tool: Building Your Search Budget

Chorus America Staff | Careers, Conducting, Finance, Governance, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technique/Tool

Searching for new artistic leadership requires its own budget. This list of income and expense considerations will help. Read more

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Events

35th Annual Conference

Minneapolis, MN

Chorus America Staff | Composing/Commissioning, Education, Governance, Management/Leadership, Marketing/Public Relations, Networking, Operations, Strategic Planning, Technology

Chorus America's 35th Annual Conference is not to be missed! Featuring performances by nine of Minnesota's premier choruses, a massed youth choir, a morning sing with Garrison Keillor, and keynote speakers Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Melanie de More, among others, this Conference will inspire and educate. Read more