AGMA-AZ
Meeting
In attendance: Proxies from:
John Cleveland Ray Funk
Bob Altizer Ruth Knight
Stan Kruggel Ron Eldridge
Dorothy Hemmo Monica Riekoff
Dave Wolfson Mark Sykes
Jim Rakers
Renee Summers
John Sipple
Linda Moser
Meeting was called to order at
Per membership data received from AGMA, there are 26 members in good standing, so with eight members and five proxies, all in good standing, the meeting has a valid quorum (13/26).
John Cleveland provided a handout to the members on 2002 – 2003 AGMA – AZ “Initiatives and Results”. Much has been accomplished by AGMA-AZ in the past year. These accomplishments include partnering with the company to develop artistic development workshops for the chorus, chorus dinner meetings, new chorister orientations, aggressive core status review and quality control, proposal to the company and their acceptance of a new chorus ensemble concept, the addition of new AGMA members and preparations for negotiations between the AOC and AGMA for a new Agreement to replace the one now expiring June 30, 2004. John indicated that much remains to be done in the areas of membership recruitment, financing AGMA-AZ, and AGMA-AZ oversight to provide improvements to the season rehearsal and performance schedule.
Election of
Officers:
All current AGMA-AZ officers were re-nominated for 2004:
John Cleveland – AGMA Delegate
Robert Altizer – Vice Steward,
Stan Kruggel – Vice Steward,
Dorothy Hemmo – Member-at-Large
David Wolfson – Secretary/Treasurer
No other nominations were offered. Jim Rakers moved that nominations be closed, seconded, approved unanimously via voce.
Renee Summers moved unanimous election of officers by acclamation, seconded, approved unanimously via voce.
John Cleveland updated the membership on progress made to
date in preparing for the upcoming negotiations between AOC and AGMA to create
a new Agreement for the Arizona Opera Chorus.
John indicated that the AGMA-AZ officers had met three times to develop
broad objectives for a new Agreement and to conduct an article by article
review of the current Agreement that expires
· The AGMA-AZ officers would be members of the committee.
· The officers recommended that Renee Summers and Jim Rakers also be members of the committee.
· The officers recommended that Mark Sykes serve as legal advisor and Robert Wilkinson serve as political advisor during the course of the negotiations. Neither Mark nor Robert would be members of the Negotiation Committee.
· A representative from AGMA National would serve as the lead negotiator.
The AGMA-AZ membership concurred with the recommendations of the officers regarding committee composition and the designation of committee advisors.
John Cleveland provided a handout to the group on the negotiation process. This information was derived from Linda Bartlett, Chief Legal Advisor at AGMA National.
AGMA-AZ Annual Dues:
David Wolfson reported that the AGMA-AZ account balance was approximately eight dollars. The membership voted to reinstitute a $20 annual dues program for all AGMA members. Dave will work on procedures and publicity to institute a dues collection program.
John Cleveland moved adjournment of the AGMA-AZ membership
meeting, seconded, adjourned without objection via voce at
Continuation of the General
Chorus Meeting:
John Cleveland, AGMA Delegate, convened the General chorus
meeting at
· Il Tabarro/ I Pagliacci – October 2004, Gammage Auditorium & TCC
· La Cenerentola – November 2004, Orpheum Theater & TCC
· Cosi fan tutte – January 2005, Orpheum Theater & TCC
· The Consul – April 2005, Orpheum Theater & TCC
In addition, the AOC will produce an Opera Gala at the
Herberger Theater in
Artistic Development
Workshops:
John Cleveland provided a handout summarizing all artistic development workshops scheduled this season for the Arizona Opera Chorus as follows:
· Era Blitz Stage Presence Workshop – sponsored by AGMA-AZ and the AOC
· Audition Stage Presence Workshop – sponsored by AGMA-AZ
· Hands-on Makeup Workshop – sponsored by AGMA-AZ and the AOC
· Master Class – sponsored by AGMA-AZ and the AOC
· Opera Scenes Performance – sponsored by AGMA-AZ
John asked for volunteers to work with Jo Ann Yeoman from ASU to organize the Audition Stage Presence Workshop, to be held in each City. Bob Altizer and Renee Summers volunteered to organize the logistics for the workshop. John Cleveland will contact Jo Ann Yeoman to discuss tuition, format and content. This will be a workshop solely organized by AGMA-AZ for all chorus members. AGMA members will pay a reduced tuition fee.
John asked for volunteers from
.
Other
Issues:
Renee Summers recommended the creation of a quarterly newsletter, published by AGMA-AZ for all Arizona Opera Chorus members. Such a newsletter would assist in getting the word out to all choristers about items of interest and introduce the new choristers each season. John Cleveland will find a volunteer from the AGMA membership to plan and develop a chorus newsletter.
The General Chorus Meeting adjourned at
John Cleveland
AGMA Steward