Minutes of a Committee Meeting of the Waiheke Island Choral Society Inc.

Held in the Palm Beach Hall on Tuesday 28th June 2005



Meeting opened at 6.35 p.m.

Present: Jeanne Mellamphy (Chair), Philip Symonds, Richard Melville, Marie Watson, Janice McCartain, Pat Atkin, Jack Watson.

Apologies: None. Mark James is on leave of absence.


Minutes of the previous Committee meeting were read, and confirmed on the motion of Jeanne, seconded by Pat.


Correspondence: Inward from the Presbyterian Church, re use of St. Paul’s for Monday practices. (A box is provided at the Church for deposit of the $10.00 donation each time, but this will be paid monthly by the Choral Society, rather than weekly).

Outward: Letter of resignation to the Music Library, Financial Statement to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies. Moved Philip, seconded by Janice, that a letter be sent to the Palm Beach Store for their donation of biscuits towards the refreshments provided at the recent concert, and that Inward correspondence be received and Outward approved. Carried.


Finance: Philip reported that he had banked $1,756.00, of which $1,631.00 was revenue from the last concerts—a very satisfactory financial result. Payments to be made were: $123.00 reimbursement to Jeanne for Concert expenses, $10.00 to Jack for coins put in the heater meter during the concerts, and $40.00 to Marie, reimbursements for four committee meeting suppers (payments to date, and one in advance), $8.00 to Janice for buttonhole roses for the concerts.


General Business: Warm mention was made of the success of the midwinter function, and hearty thanks were extended to Jeanne and Marie for their hard work in preparation for this. No charge was made for use of the Onetangi Hall for the function, but a letter of thanks is not to be sent, as this donation was “off the record.” Thanks also to Philip for his hard work with the concert tickets.


Concert Debrief: There has been excellent feedback from members of our audiences. Mention was made of the fact that the male singers were hidden by the performers in front of them, and the Society’s risers should be used to raise the back row in future. The whereabouts of the risers are not known, but they should be found and used. They are possibly in the School Hall, or the MORRA or Ostend Halls. There had been excellent ticket sales to the Retirement Village residents, and the suggestion was made that they, the RSA and the Probis Club, be targeted for the audience at future performances. Possibly a weekday concert would suit this age group, but the possibility of this is governed by the availability of performers, many of whom are in paid employment. The question of a performance in the Memorial Hall at Rocky Bay was raised. The people there usually give excellent support to functions in their hall. The combination of an afternoon performance in conjunction with a tea dance might be a good idea.


The next show was discussed. This is to be a one-act play, “Last Tango in Little Oneroa,” with some musical solo items in the play, and an integral cabaret performance to follow. Performances are to be on September 2nd, 3rd. and 4th and the Artworks Theatre has been booked. Because of the renovations, there is some doubt as to whether the theatre will be ready in time, and “Plan B” would be either the Ostend Hall or the Palm Beach Hall. Palm Beach maybe more suitable, as the Market would cause some logistical problems with preparation of the Ostend Hall. The Friday performance will possibly clash with a Festival Singers practice night—it would be as well to give them this date in good time..


Marion will not be available as pianist for 28th June and 5th. July. She was sick on the first date, and will be on holiday on the 5th.


Code of Practice is to be followed for the new show, and it is to be discussed at the next Committee meeting. Alan Knight is to be approached and asked if he will be the Director, Richard Melville is to be the Musical Director, and Kate Loughmane is to be approached for help. The venue is to be as discussed earlier in this meeting. The Code of Practice is to be read by all Committee members before the next Committee meeting. There are half-a-dozen parts in the play, and chorus required for the cabaret section.


The secretary is to write to Konrad Wolmarans thanking him for the sign writing outside the Palm Beach Hall (naming the Choral Society as a regular user of the Hall). This was done by him at no charge.


Next committee meeting to be at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday 26th July.


Meeting closed at 7.30 p.m.