2014 survey results draft

8/12/2019 2014 Survey Results DRAFT

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Northport Symphony Orchestra

Member Survey April 2014

Summary of findings

Excellent response rate.Twenty-one of a possible 31 members returnedthe survey for a 68% response rate.

School music programs make a difference. Fourteen of the 20 members(70%) who answered the question asking when they began studying theirinstrument specifically mentioned a grade or school program.

Families are a major musical influence. Ten out of 20 respondents (50%)named of parents or other family members when asked about their earlymusical influences.

NSOs level of musicianship is high. Twelve of 21 respondents (57%) holddegrees in music or music education, 10 of 21 (48%) currently teach in

school, privately or both, and 9 out of 20 (45%) have or do playprofessionally

NSO retains its members. Eight out of 20 respondents (40%) have beenwith NSO since its first season in 2007.

NSO members are our best recruiters of musicians. Six of 18 respondents(33%) said they came to NSO through existing members.

Beethoven is the favorite composer. Thirteen of 21 respondents (62%)named him among their favorites.

We enjoy consuming music too. Eleven of 18 respondents (61%) attend alive music event of any genre at least 1-2 times per month.


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I enjoyed it. I wanted to develop my skills and perform with many solo and ensemble

performances. Most important, I wanted to gain experiences to become abetter teacher.

Working to do justice to the wonderful music. Not many people played my instrument. I love my instrument! My teachers and festivals. Different styles and types of songs were interesting enough to keep my

wanting to play.

3. What were your first music influences? (20 responses)

Frank Sinatra, Motown, Trio Los Panchos My fathers piano playing, especially Chopin The music my parents played on the radio. Parents who were musicians. Going to the NY Phil at Heckscher State Park and the music my parents

played on the radio.

My piano and violin teachers. Parents. Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day and the Sorcerers Apprentice in Fantasia. A classmate who went on to become concertmaster of the NY Phil. My uncle who was a skilled musician. My dad. Private teacher and HS teacher. Violinist Hilary Hahn and local orchestras. Baroque and Romantic composers. Classical music played at home and in ballet lessons. Elementary school teacher and Phantom of the Opera My dad played classical music records. An uncle. My sisters. My family.

4. Please indicate your post-secondary music studies, if any. (21 responses)

_4__ some college courses in music

12_ a major in music/music ed (57%)

__1_ a minor in music


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_4_ private lessons post-high school

5. Do you currently teach music? (21 responses)

_10_ yes (48%) 11__ no

If yes, at what level? Check all that apply*.

__1_ grades K-5 __3_ grades 6-8 __1_ grades 9-12

__1_ college __8_ privately* some taught more than one school level or both privately and in school.

6. Do you currently study music privately?

__5_ yes ___ no

7. Do you or have you played music professionally? (20 responses)

__9_ yes (45%) ___ no

8. In what year did you join NSO? (20 responses)

2007: 8 (40%)

2008: 22009: 22010: 02011: 12012: 32013: 22014: 2

9. How did you learn about us? (18 responses)

__1_ friend

__6_ NSO member (33%)__2_ local paper_3__ Internet search__1_ family__3 Northport Schools brochure__2 word of mouth


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10. If you have played with us more than one season, why do you continue to

participate in NSO? (16 responses)

Its fun and its a great opportunity to play with a group of wonderfulmusicians.

It keeps me fresh and gives me a reason to perform on a regular basis. Love it! I enjoy the opportunity to learn new works and revisit those I have played

before. I love the orchestra, the people in it. Its a thrill to play orchestra music and I

havent had a lot of experience in an orchestra.

I enjoy playing with musicians dedicated to playing well. Also, thecamaraderie among members and Richards attention to detail.

I very much enjoy the people and the repertoire. It is a challenge to play up tothe level Richard demands, but I believe I have become a better playingthrough attempting to meet his expectations.

Seems like a good thing to do with my Wednesday nights. Enjoyment. Like to play in the group. Its fun and enriching I love to participate in orchestra.; opportunity to play with a professional,

friendly group of musicians. The opportunity to play pieces I would never encounter in private lessons

and great people to play with.

Great people, repertoire, non-intimidating environment. Interesting repertoire. It is rewarding and gives me the motivation to practice regularly

11. What makes NSO different from other group you have participated in? (17responses)

The caliber of musicianship, talent and ability. Richard demands way more than other conductors, and Ive played in quite a

few community groups. It focuses more on the symphony rather than the strings. Starts early; ends early. Rapport among members very positive. Close to home. Great people, repertoire, non-intimidating environment Culture, friendly atmosphere. Variety of concerts, whether its a lecture-demo or open rehearsal. More professional, more camaraderie. Shorter rehearsals, fewer performances, much more demanding that I always

be correct.


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Although there is some facetious griping at times, I think that everyone pullstogether to the best of their abilities to do justice to the music. At the sametime, we are not so deadly serious that the experience becomes less than fun.

People are nice and high level of musicianship. I enjoy playing in a community group. High caliber of musicianship of both conductor and players, especially for acommunity group, and enjoy playing the standard repertoire. Community atmosphere, almost like family. This is the first orchestra Ive played in since college, but Ifeel the group

works really well together and enjoys playing together.

12. Have you grown as a musician via NSO participation? (19 responses)

19 yes 0 no

If yes, please explain.(18 responses) Lots of ways but one is that Ive become a better listener. Ive been introduced to new works and composers. Musically and intonation-wise Introduced to other orchestral works More aware of playing in tune. I believe that Richard has the ability to express what he wants clearly and I

have tried to adjust how I play to meet the target as best as I am able. Lisas

occasional sectional rehearsals are also a great help. Ive become more sensitive to the minutia of the music Learning more repertoire, better understanding of ensemble playing. I stopped playing for a while for personal reasons and being in NSOreminded me how much I like to play. Improved playing individually and as part of an ensemble. More

understanding of orchestral music. Any orchestral experience is valuable because I can play a variety of music. Opportunity to perform great repertoire. My musical knowledge has increased both the range of pieces and general

musical knowledge (theory, technique, etc.) Better sight-reading and playing with a smaller group forces you to push

yourself to play the best you can.

With the repertoire, Ive been able to play a wider variety of music. Its opened my eyes on how and what to play. Different techniques were also

learned.

I pay more attention to detail and strive for excellence. Has enabled me to return to violin roots. Ive been playing mostly viola in

trios and quartets.


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13. What are some of your favorite works in the NSO repertoire?(20responses)

This was difficult to tally because many people wrote things like AnythingBeethoven, or all of Mozart. These two composers were often mentioned, as was

Dvorak.

One specific work, The Hebrides, was mentioned by 6 people.

14. Name up to three of your favorite classical composers (21 responses)

Composer Votes

Mendelsohn 4

Brahms 5Copland 2

Beethoven 13 (62%)Dvorak 7Stravinsky 1

Mozart 7Haydn 1

Holst 2Tchaikovsky 3Shostakovich 1

Vivaldi 1J.S. Bach 6

Ravel 1Vaughn Williams 2Schubert 1

Mahler 1Rachmaninoff 1

15. Do you invite people to attend our concerts? (21 responses)19 yes 2 no

Reasons for not inviting guests:

Most people I could invite would have no interest in classical music. Theyre on the mailing list.

16. If you could change one thing about NSO what would that be? (16responses)

A wider range of composers and works.


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The cellos should be allowed to play louder! Bigger string sections 20thC works such as The Planets Eliminate the garden party. 7 to 8:30 rehearsal time. More major performances If each member can participate in rehearsal more regularly, it would help for

the concert. But I know thats not easy.

That more members bring audiences. More concerts More participation from a wider variety of members. Play during the summer. Larger string section. None. Performance in summer

20thC music, e.g. Gershwin, Copland.

17 Approximately how much do you spend annually on music-related items

(e.g. instrument supplies and repairs, music, private lessons)?(17 responses)

$0 - $99: 2$100 - $199: 1$200 - $299: 5 (29%)$500 - $599: 2$700 - $799: 2

$2,000 - $2,999: 2$3,000 - $3,999: 1$5,000 - $5,999: 1$8,000: 1

18. How many times per month do you eat out?(20 responses)

No. of times No. of responses

1 2

2 8 (40%)3 1

4 25 26 2

7 08 09 0

10 3


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19. How many times per month do you attend a live music event of any genre?

(18 responses)

No. of times No. of responses

0 2

1 5 (28%)2 6 (33%)3 2

4 05 0

6 07 1

8 09 010 2

20. Have you specifically sought out the services of a local business because it

advertises in our program or sponsors our events?(20 responses)

5 yes 15 no

21. Have you recommended an advertiser or sponsor to someone?

9 yes 11 no

2014 survey results draft

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