Band Commission

DRAFT WHEATON MUNICIPAL BAND COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING, May 31, 2016 The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chair Dottie Mackie. Present were commissioners Dottie Mackie, John Dalby, Michael Mach, and Donald Westlake. Commissioner Westlake was asked by the Chair to take notes in the absence of Secretary Nancy McDonal. Also present were Ed Rylko, President of the Friends of the Band , and Don Cavalli, President of the Wheaton Municipal Band. Don Cavalli reviewed the 2016 season as described in the flier that has been mailed to Wheaton residents. Discussion followed. No action taken. Don Cavalli brought us up to date regarding sponsorships of the band by restaurants and other businesses. There was some discussion of increased sponsorship fees and a suggestion of personal recognition of sponsors at concerts. No action taken. Weather is an important factor throughout the band season. Commissioners were brought up to date by Don Cavalli and Ed Rylko regarding the existing policies governing the safety precautions taken on Wednesdays and Thursdays when thunder, lightning, and wind threaten the band and the audience. It is important that visiting conductors and performers understand these protective policies. Commissioners were made aware of the potential changes in the configuration of Memorial Park in the not too distant future, and the influence of those changes on Municipal Band performances. Ed Rylko advised the commissioners that Art and Elizabeth Fedder have decided to retire from their positions with Friends of the Band. Other long-time Friends, Barb and Anthony Giordano, also will need to be replaced. Ed Rylko has assumed the presidency, and he stressed the importance of seeking new, and younger, volunteers. He suggested the search might start with the families of band members, and he also suggested that the goal should be to have enough volunteers that not all were required to serve very week. Ed Rylko addressed the “next step in fund-raising.” A new piano was needed, and a private grant of $2,450 made its purchase possible. He suggested the importance of making its acquisition public as early as possible as an example for other potential contributors. In that regard, he advised the commissioners that a private donation of $50,000 to the DuPage Foundation has established THE WHEATON MUNICIPAL BAND ENDOWMENT FUND to benefit the Friends of the Band. Other philanthropists may contribute to the fund. Annual distributions will be made to the Friends to benefit the Wheaton Municipal Band. The DEED OF GIFT establishing the Wheaton Municipal Band Endowment Fund recognizes the possibility that the FRIENDS OF THE BAND may, someday, for whatever reason, cease to exist. In that event, according to the DEED OF GIFT, distributions would be made directly to the CITY OF WHEATON for the sole purpose of supporting the annual activities and programs of the Wheaton Municipal Band. For that reason, the Friends were seeking approval of the Band Commission. Unanimous approval was granted, along with congratulations to the Friends of the Band. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. Acting Secretary, Donald G. Westlake