A Message from the Executive Director

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Dear JCA members:
 
The Spring 2019-2020 was not quite what any of us had anticipated! I hope you are all well and enjoying this much longed-for warmer weather.  Due to restrictions aimed at inhibiting the spread of COVID 19, the Jamestown Concert Association postponed our three spring 2020 presentations. All of the original artists are still excited to perform here and, fortunately, we have been able to reschedule all of them for this coming fall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The inspiring Mirari Brass Quintet will perform on Friday, October 9th; gifted baritone Suchan Kim with pianist Laetitia Ruccolo will perform on Friday, November 6th; and Italian-born pianist Fabio Menchetti will perform on Friday, December 4th.  All 2019-20 season membership passes will be honored.  Don’t worry if you misplace your pass; we have a membership list! 
 
Even before this part of the world was hit by COVID 19, I was preparing to write a letter explaining the future of the Jamestown Concert Association. During the early 2000s, we enjoyed an expanding membership, increased attendance at performances, and growing business support. In 2008, we sustained a large drop in all three, then slowly climbed back to where we had left off, with the exception of business support.  While we are still in stable financial shape, our membership and concert attendance have now decreased.  Inadequate or unexciting programming? Bad weather? Event scheduling conflicts? Too many other personal activities? Poor economy? Easy access to online musical programs? A combination of some of these factors?  Not sure.  Whatever the reason, the JCA board is aware of a decline in interest in live, professional, classical music concerts in this area. Additionally, we are not seeing new faces willing to join the board to seek out new programming and/or marketing avenues.  Regretfully, at this point, we are planning to discontinue presentations after the three re-scheduled concerts this coming fall. 
 
At our last meeting, the JCA board voted to postpone the 2019-20 Annual Membership Meeting from June 9, 2020 to this coming fall, also.  We invite the entire JCA membership to consider alternative solutions over the summer and attend the annual meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 7 PM at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St., Jamestown.  We anticipate at that time we will be able to meet in person, even if social distancing guidelines are in place. Be assured that JCA will keep you and the Jamestown community updated with new information. In the meantime, please stay healthy and check out classical music videos posted on Facebook, Instagram, artists’ websites and YouTube.  And we look forward to seeing all of you for our first re-scheduled presentation in October if not before.
 
Ever grateful for and appreciative of your membership support,
Sally M. Ulrich and the JCA board of directors

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