An open letter about the music program
Other fundraising campaigns ...
What is missing?
While there is a clear emerging pattern to how the music program at Eagle Hill is evolving, there is also a clear sense that something is missing.
We have long been mindful that the performance spaces at Eagle Hill are modest and not specifically designed for performances. The musicians graciously accept what we can offer in this regard. Musicians and audience members alike share an understanding that we are collectively striving for something more spacious, more comfortable, more versatile, and even a bit more elegant. With this in mind, please consider the following goals.
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A larger performance space ... Many of the concerts at Eagle Hill are at full capacity with 60 guests. It is thus reasonable to consider how we can justify a larger performance space. Choosing what its size should be is a complex consideration that is best approached in a stepped fashion during discussions with architects.
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A traditional waiting (green) room suite for musicians ... In parallel with a larger performance space, we need a space for musicians where they can relax before their concerts begin, during intermissions, and after concerts.
- Music master-class rooms ... Given the potential for hosting other master classes, we seek to provide teaching spaces and practice rooms. These spaces can be designed for multiple uses, e.g., for hosting musicians-in-residence.
This campaign is focused on raising funds for the inclusion of these spaces within the cultural and events center.
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Scaling up conservatively ... A larger performance space will expand the kinds of programming we can offer, since this is partially dependent upon the sizes of audiences. There is a long-standing and venerable tradition of mostly seasonal music performances of all kinds throughout eastern Maine, with seating than can be upwards of 150 people. It is thus reasonable to provisionally set our capacity at upwards of 100 people.
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Working towards proof-of-concept ... In the interim, we will set the stage for such programs by using our current facilities to host chamber concerts featuring a selection of arias from operas, with an accompanying musician. This will allow us to show proof-of-concept for committing to the larger performance space we are envisaging. The first such concert is scheduled for this coming May. A next step could be short baroque operas, such as the charming intermezzo, La Serva Padrona from 1733, by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.
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Year-round potential ... The institute has been successfully hosting chamber concerts on a year-round basis. Given the ever increasing year-round population in eastern Maine, it is reasonable to project that there will be a growing interest in larger-scale performances during the fall, winter, and spring.
- Overnight accommodations ... We expect to be offering accommodations for concert guests who might like to stay overnight and linger at Eagle Hill. The new residential wing will be funded by the Campaign for the natural history sciences which is running in parallel with the music program campaign.
Lastly, a parallel justification ... A larger performance space in the cultural and events center can be designed for multiple functions for times in between perfomances. Seating with or without tables can flexible and removable. The perimeter can showcase a works of fine art from the collection at Eagle Hill, such as paintings and sculptures up through the late 19th Century. The interior space can be used to stage special fine art exhibits that are on loan, or to host events of various kinds.