RIDGECREST CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY

RCMS' three main goals are to provide opportunities for community members to experience chamber music by bringing excellent classical music groups to Ridgecrest for five to seven concerts per season; to promote awareness of chamber music by publicizing concerts through a variety of means, especially through personal invitation; and to provide opportunities for younger generations to experience chamber music by providing reduced cost tickets to students, concerts at schools featuring chamber music groups and programs for music students by professional chamber music performers. An additional goal is to raise the funds to establish the organization on firm financial ground for years to come.

RCMS has a Strategic Plan, dated March 2017, with goals. The board uses this as a guide for making decisions on publicity, fundraising, and the relationship with the greater community.

RCMS has a good start, but a long way to go to establishing long term viability. The board is working on the fundraising and endowment opportunities for charting the way to the future.

RCMS has continued to have support for the chamber music series in the community, both monetarily and with some new ticket holders; have seen an increase in student attendance since implementing the in-school programs; continues to have donors support the organization both with funds and in-kind donations. RCMS has not accomplished the large fundraiser events necessary to give the organization a really solid funding base to be able to start an endowment process to keep the RCMS on solid ground financially. Have taken part in an online fundraiser, Give Big Kern, through another organization, Kern Community Foundation, which has been quite helpful. The organization continues to pursue grants and increase outreach activities.