The LUCO Board of directors was recently approached by Maestro Nik to consider changing the rehearsal schedule for our regular concert cycle. Nik has asked to change the rehearsal schedule to a compressed rehearsal schedule. His recommendation for this change would not go into effect until the 2023-24 season if chosen, although he did ask for consideration for trying it out for one of the concert cycles in the current season.
Here is his reasoning for his request as presented to the board:
Rehearsal schedule. Modify each cycle to a compressed rehearsal schedule.
Your board felt that the decision to pursue or not pursue Nik’s request was more than we felt comfortable making without input from the members, so here is what we are asking you to help us choose from:
Option #1: No changes to our existing rehearsal/concert cycle schedule
Option #2: A compressed rehearsal/concert schedule; Week 1: An assistant conductor could lead a Thursday rehearsal in advance of the concert week. Week 2 (concert week): Tuesday, Thursday, Friday rehearsals, Sat AM dress, Sat PM concert. An assistant conductor could lead additional Thursdays in advance of weeks 1 and 2 as the board and musical director see fit to plan for.
Option #3: no preference
While the board doesn’t advocate for either of these options, we did want to be transparent with you regarding the result of either decision. Keeping the rehearsal schedule as is would result in Maestro Nik choosing not to pursue a new contract with LUCO beginning in the 2023-24 season. Option #2 would change the dynamic that LUCO has created in the quarter century that it has been an organization. Nik wanted to make sure that we also communicated that Wenatchee Symphony has followed the compressed schedule for several years and anecdotally felt that it has made for a better orchestral experience for its members.
Thanks so much for taking the time to give this decision some hard thought. As always, we appreciate your membership in LUCO and look forward to many years of making great music together.
Here is his reasoning for his request as presented to the board:
Rehearsal schedule. Modify each cycle to a compressed rehearsal schedule.
- Higher retention - Concepts, execution, and pacing are better retained from rehearsal to rehearsal.
- Higher attendance rate - Past attendance has rarely reached 100%, even at dress rehearsals. With a different roster of members every week, our mastery is uneven and inconsistent.
- Focus - A compressed schedule adds sharper focus to the performance objectives. Less procrastination, more individual preparation, higher efficiency in rehearsals.
- Members - A compressed schedule may attract new members.
- Personal - This helps me economically, reduces my time commitment away from my family, and helps me maintain a healthier lifestyle. With 26+ round trips from Ellensburg, inclement weather, Seattle traffic, and increasing travel costs, the current weekly structure is not sustainable.
Your board felt that the decision to pursue or not pursue Nik’s request was more than we felt comfortable making without input from the members, so here is what we are asking you to help us choose from:
Option #1: No changes to our existing rehearsal/concert cycle schedule
Option #2: A compressed rehearsal/concert schedule; Week 1: An assistant conductor could lead a Thursday rehearsal in advance of the concert week. Week 2 (concert week): Tuesday, Thursday, Friday rehearsals, Sat AM dress, Sat PM concert. An assistant conductor could lead additional Thursdays in advance of weeks 1 and 2 as the board and musical director see fit to plan for.
Option #3: no preference
While the board doesn’t advocate for either of these options, we did want to be transparent with you regarding the result of either decision. Keeping the rehearsal schedule as is would result in Maestro Nik choosing not to pursue a new contract with LUCO beginning in the 2023-24 season. Option #2 would change the dynamic that LUCO has created in the quarter century that it has been an organization. Nik wanted to make sure that we also communicated that Wenatchee Symphony has followed the compressed schedule for several years and anecdotally felt that it has made for a better orchestral experience for its members.
Thanks so much for taking the time to give this decision some hard thought. As always, we appreciate your membership in LUCO and look forward to many years of making great music together.