By Lisa Kannof, Choral Parents Association Steering Committee Santa Monica
Between the article written with the author’s own twist on the topic and the follow up editorials, we feel compelled to let the public know the real facts regarding SAMOHI’s Choral Tour (SMDP, Jan. 4, page 1).
One hundred fifty-seven students are going on this trip, over 40 requested financial assistance. As stated at the City Council meeting, any trip involving airfare for our number of students even to San Francisco, would mean that almost a third would require financial assistance. We are careful in choosing the venues that our students tour. Educational value and musical expectations of the invitations we receive are always our top priorities in choosing a location. Reviewing our choices, including international options, this festival was the one that best met our high standards. Our choirs, which require no prior training to join, embrace all who choose to participate. This results in a very diverse group of students. This diversity is the reality of Santa Monica’s economic composition.
The grant awarded by the City Council is a “matching” grant. The matching funds are coming from our own fundraising events including every student participating in gift wrapping for donations over the holidays, an upcoming car wash and garage sale, three concerts and two cabaret nights, a silent auction, direct donations, choir merchandise sales, CD sales from our concerts, and performances on the Promenade and Montana Avenue.
In the past, the City Council has given similar matching grants to other musical groups for touring. This is the first time the choir has requested money. City funds were not requested for previous trips to New York and Boston. Those included a smaller number of students and our fundraising efforts alone were able to cover the costs. That is not true for this tour.
For many of our students, this will be the first time they are on a plane. For others it will be the first time they are away from home. And for all, it will be an opportunity to meet with choirs from across the country, experience a different culture, to view Pearl Harbor and to learn about the history of Hawaii and our participation in its development.
In direct response to Don Krok’s letter (SMDP, Jan. 7, page 4) asking why the choirs are not going to a local event, they are. Our students have been invited to and will be participating at the American Choir Director’s Association (ACDA) conference. However, they can only accommodate one small choir of 25 singers.
How unfortunate that the SMDP article did not take this opportunity to applaud our City Council in giving recognition to our extremely talented students through financial support of what will surely be an experience of a lifetime for many. For anyone that may still question this decision, please join us on April 29 at our Masterworks performance in Barnum Hall. We guarantee to knock your socks off.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 11, 2005. Read the original PDF.