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Well... it has been a busy couple of weeks trying to gather more information and learning more about how to start a little music ensemble. There is just quite a bit of groundwork and stuff that needs to be set up and lots of work to be done behind the scenes. Of course, just playing the concerts is the final touch... that last delightful bit, but there is just so much that needs to go into getting there!

Thankfully, I have found a venue that is willing to support me with a space to play in. It is a place that I've had a connection with in the past and they were quite keen to help me build up my little ensemble. Venue costs are a huge pain in the start... and to not have to worry about that... or the ticketing, or part of the publicity... well, all of it is more of a load off of our minds, space to be able to concentrate on the important things.

Something that was quite important that I learnt from talking with those that have already made the journey, is the importance of not compromising your control and vision. Not for anything... this seems to be applicable at all stages, but seems to be really quite critical in the early stages, when you are desperate for help and funding... only to later become aware that these often come with strings attached... and when you are in a weaker bargaining position, those strings are more like cables.

Part of that can be implied obligations to fellow musicians... at the start, you might not have the dream team of players that you want. But you are at partly obliged to be loyal to those who helped out in the beginning. So, choose wisely and carefully... but be prepared to be strong and make those awful decisions if things aren't working. Ouch... hard thing to do... I cringe at the thought of hurting anyone... and go out of my way to avoid giving the wrong impression, but that can be sometimes done unintentionally... just by being friendly.

Anyway... another really eye-opening piece of advice from those who have had the experience. Beware the funding sources! Many of them will give money... but with conditions, that might be actually impossible to fufil... or completely against the grain of your artistic vision.

From the arts councils... they can start to impose box-ticking criteria. Such as diversity of programming and personnel, all of which might interfere with the smooth functioning of the group... or completely comprise the actual core reason for the group. For instance, I'm starting an early music ensemble... it would be difficult to "branch" out into different repertoire from later periods! Of course... with a bit of lateral thinking, it can be done... but personnel criteria is much more difficult.. and I've seen it implemented in a box-ticking method with pretty sad results for everyone involved.

Corporate and business funding seemed like an interesting option... but they can also come with "interesting" strings. Especially if there is a good chunk of "helpful" advice from those who believe that they are business gurus. CEOs that will want be forever expanding... not realising that some people are content with a certain reach and size, and desire nothing more. Or those who believe that their particular level of (in)competence in leading a company makes them experts in all fields. One very interesting thing that I heard was a corporate sponsor demanding that their employees (none of which seemed to be interested in the music) were feted to an interval catering that EXCEEDED the cost of what they sponsored for.... or another that just ended up refusing to honour the sponsorship!

Well... I've already seen in the last little while a bunch of business "leaders" who are supremely confident in their lack of ability and understanding.... whilst confounding everyone around them with strange words and protocols. I think I can definitely do without that sort of thing for the moment...

... so, the general advice seems to be... get the infrastructure set up... and grow slowly and surely. Don't be in so much of a hurry that you end up tangled in unexpected webs of obligation. Definitely things to think about...

... now to get back to learning and thinking about the upcoming concert!

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