Ann Plans’ Post

#APTipTuesday – Integrating music into your gala program adds fun, energy and entertainment value to the guest experience, and can also help inspire generosity. Here are three ideas for enhancing and elevating your program with music: 1. Use live music to help connect your guests with your mission. An inspiring song right before your fund-a-need can provide the right emotion to set the stage for generous giving. 2. Work with your AV partner to identify upbeat “walk-on” music to play as your speakers are entering the stage. 3. Identify a song that ties in with the theme of each of your live auction items. Playing a snippet of a song as each item is described is a great way to add playfulness and a little drama to your auction.     #AnnPlans #TipTuesday #NonprofitEvent #FundraisingEvent #CommunityEngagement #Philanthropy #EventPlanning 

How Charity Events Can Boost Your Music Career Learn how participating in charity events can open doors for musicians. Discover the benefits of giving back and how it can lead to paid gigs and increased recognition. Be unique, memorable, and make a difference in your music career. #CharityEvents #MusicCareer #GigsOpportunities #GivingBack #Musicians #SuccessTips #Networking #CommunityBuilding #CareerGrowth #MusicIndustry

Music programs fast-track children's listening skills, boosting language, reading, and overall development. Embrace the power of music! #research #MusicMakesMyLifeBetter #ETMLA #KeepTheMusicPlaying #GiveTheGiftOfMusic #MusicEducation #NonProfit #LosAngeles

There are a couple of new blog posts on our site. I invite you to see what we have recently done in Burundi and Pakistan! https://lnkd.in/gw8e6iMD #musicians, #support #nonprofit

🎨 What’s Next for Equity in the Arts? “Maintaining the impact ARPA funds had on equity in the arts will require those with wealth ‘to think civically, not just ‘Where did I go to school?’ or ‘What’s my favorite charity?’” – Dennie Wolf, WolfBrown Principal Dennie highlights a critical challenge facing arts organizations as American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding dwindles: Without sustained civic-minded giving, small organizations may face layoffs and reduced opportunities for individual artists. Read the full article from The Boston Globe: With a COVID cliff coming, what can Boston artists bank on: https://lnkd.in/ejY-aabu

Did you know that Kate Bush owns the copyright to ALL her music? Why is that important? Well, she wanted control over her art, ensuring it wasn't subject to others' whims, and she was looking to the future, safeguarding her legacy. In the intricate tapestry of charitable endeavours, progress often unfolds at a seemingly glacial pace, whether or not there's a concrete plan in hand. Yet, much like Kate Bush's decision to retain control over her music, envision the quantum leap forward your organisation could achieve armed with a meticulously crafted strategic roadmap. 🚀 Just as Kate Bush ensured her artistic vision remained intact, a comprehensive public affairs strategy preserves your charity's autonomy and vision. It's the compass navigating you through the labyrinth of policy advocacy, amplifying your voice and empowering you to navigate legislative landscapes with purpose and foresight. 🌍 Picture this: informed decisions guided by a roadmap tailored to your organisation's unique mission and vision, akin to Kate Bush's deliberate steps in shaping her musical journey. Imagine the ripple effect as your charity transcends incremental gains to effect transformative societal shifts. It's not just about reacting; it's about proactively shaping the narrative and driving sustainable impact. As someone deeply committed to the catalytic power of strategic planning, I've witnessed firsthand its potential to propel organisations like yours towards unparalleled heights of efficacy and influence. Let's embark on a journey together to craft a bespoke plan that not only unlocks your organisation's full potential but also fosters a legacy of purpose-driven impact, much like Kate Bush's enduring imprint on the music industry. Reach out via DM to initiate a conversation about how we can collaboratively navigate this path towards realising your charity's loftiest aspirations. 🤝 #Charity #PublicAffairs #Impact #Strategy #Collaboration

Danny Kean story here, nearly 40 years of free music for all, read below and support if you can: On the road for almost 40 years, the same pickup truck with a piano in the back shared freely with everyone. After 20 years as a fee based performance vehicle, for the last 18 years the Traveling Piano has been operating with no fees, tips or commercial affiliation... no hook and with nothing but with pure Musical Fun, Friendship and Respect through Empowerment and Inspiration. Piano Man Danny Kean with his first pup Bo-ner in spirit and now Traveling Piano pup Mo, they have been focused on community outreach and especially for those struggling in life. Over 100,000 people have been on the piano seat and all through one-on-one individual musical interactions. Having originated in Philadelphia, PA the Traveling Piano has established itself now as a Downtown Las Vegas for the last eight years. Travels have happened throughout the entire Northern Hemisphere of America. The journey has been blogged daily since 2006 on the Traveling Piano's website www.travelingpiano.com The Traveling Piano operates in the most simple way possible without financial reserves, obligations, expectations, salaries or self-serving agenda for attention. 100% of all contribution is put into the truck, work and equipment. Online fundraisers happen only when the situation becomes dire for truck and equipment needs. The act of not accepting contribution in person with the Traveling Piano experience keeps the agenda pure. It creates trust and opportunity for healing in vulnerable environments where communities are severely hurting from tragedy. Giving freely without an exchange leads to intimate and personal interactions of trust and is a huge aspect of why the Traveling Piano's work has been successful. Currently the Traveling Piano truck is in a dire situation. Funding is necessary in order to continue operation. Specifically, a new carburetor and brakes are needed and for the sake of present-ability, serious cosmetic work as in a paint job, new front window and a replacement dashboard to get the speedometer and emergency lights working. The heat is destroying the piano and its sound system and a backup keyboard and speaker is necessary. Over the years people have suggested a new vehicle. This will not work considering the Traveling Pianos unique life and deep emotional and personal history. Cleaning it up and restoring its parts is the only way to go. The world needs the Traveling Piano's mission of truth in spirit. It is a safe space with positive energy and love and lets not forget the fun for all who come in contact with it. We all need fun now especially, eh? Will you help keep it alive? Please contribute... again and again. Just once is great too! And please share this contribution link on your social media and in groups. Spotfund: https://lnkd.in/e54Ra5hk Website: https://lnkd.in/ecXeC6Ji Venmo: Dan Kean @travelingpiano

Support our Winter Campaign, and utilise the power of music for social change At Musicians Without Borders, we've been using the power of music to foster lasting peace and social cohesion in areas of conflict for 25 years. In a world where division and inequality persist, our work is more urgent than ever. But you can make a difference. By supporting our Winter Campaign, you will directly contribute to: Sustainable Program Development: Ensuring the long-term viability of our music-based initiatives in conflict zones. Capacity Building: Enhancing our ability to respond to emerging crises and support marginalized communities through music education and therapy. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with like-minded organizations to amplify our impact and drive systemic change. Plus, the first €25,000 donated to this campaign will be doubled at no extra cost to you! Click here to donate today: https://ow.ly/BxNK50U69Ju There are also other ways to engage and help us expand the reach of our campaign. If your company would be interested in exploring a partnership together, get in touch to discuss how our organizations can collaborate to drive social change. Also, by simply sharing our mission with your network, you will help amplify our impact. Together, we can leverage the power of music to create a more harmonious and equitable world.

My escape.   I can still feel the tingle of excitement from our concert last Saturday.   Chelmsford Cathedral: Wow, what a venue. What an acoustic! We raised money for charity too which made the occasion even more special.   Choral singing has become a big part of my life over the past 10 years, or so. Being a member of 3 choral groups keeps me busy. My eclectic taste in music helps. And I can (occasionally) hold a note. This helps too 😊   A big boost to my singing endeavours came from being told (by a non-expert) that I couldn’t sing. Ironic, I know.   How many of us have taken onboard the advice of non-experts?   I guess, all of us have at some point in our lives, because the advice and opinion came from someone close to us and carried merit and value.   In my humble opinion, it’s always best for us to listen to our gut. Then, if we need advice, only seek it from people active in the space we are wishing to move into.   Blood, sweat and tears. Hard yards. Expertise. Experience. Yep, all are crucially important qualities in those we look up to and admire.   Step 1. Seek advice.   Step 2. Go away and add our own twist.   Step 3. Leverage both to create our own life-fulfilling experiences.   Perfect.   Thank you for reading. Enjoy your day.   #GutFeeling #Wellbeing #ChoralSinging PS: image is courtesy of Colin Michael on Unsplash

Even as the world shifts constantly around us, our history grounds us in deeply rooted values. The below letter was written by The People's Music School's founder, Dr. Rita Simó. We discovered it in a recent excavation of our storage unit. Handwritten in June 1976, mere months after the original school opened in February, the letter highlights values that continue to define us nearly fifty years on: Our #community has always been there for us from far and wide, donating a big new rug here, a French horn there, a shipment of records all the way from Boston. Rita never skimped on #excellence, insisting that our students were constantly practicing and performing, putting on a flute and piano recital just five months after the school's grand opening. Rita’s #creativity shines through as she draws on resourcefulness to build her bold new enterprise. She took every #opportunity to say yes, to draw people in, to be open to whatever may come her way. And how could all of this happen without #hardwork, exemplified in this precise moment by the dirt under our fingernails as we dug through 48 years of history? These values - which we acronymize as #ECCHO - ground us to this day. Whatever evolves or is disrupted, values matter, and we are always guided by them. What are your organization’s guiding values? What are your own? How do they show up in your histories, your current actions? #musiceducation #values #history