Dunedin Music Society

• The Pinellas Festival of Community Bands earns the reputation as “the” hallmark event for bands to attend in Florida (local audience attendance in addition to band members exceeds 1000)
• Dunedin Concert Band quality continues to improve and local audience average increases by 50%
• The DMS increases the number of directly managed groups to include 3 to 5 chamber ensembles
• Summer camps go from pilot to several per year
• The Pinellas Festival of Community Bands becomes a multi-day event with numerous bands attending from outside Florida
• A community orchestra and choir form
• The number of ensembles increases to 5 to 8
• Youth groups are piloted to complement the local school offerings
• The DMS is regularly contacted by those looking for opportunities to play or to hear live music in the area
• A second annual festival is organized
• The first international conference for “Music in the Community” is held
• The DMS has a world-class performing/practicing center that is busy 7 days a week with rehearsals, chamber concerts, teaching, and large-group concerts
• There are opportunities for musicians and audiences throughout Tampa Bay to engage in live music every week near to their home
• People move to and visit Tampa Bay to participate in live music
• Musicians from all over the globe come to Tampa Bay to play and perform with local musicians

● Prioritize the strength, quality, and sustainability of existing programs;
● Engage growth at a pace that can be matched with realizable resources;
● Launch new opportunities that complement what is already available;
● Expand community awareness and presence;
● Develop organizational capabilities to manage activities, cultivate funds, and anticipate growth;
● Focus on serving local communities while reaching beyond geographical boundaries;
● Insist that our desired organizational culture and mission drive behaviors and decisions.

Conservation
● Maintain expectations of musicians striving to be the best they can be;
● Publicize participation and performances;
● Plan for the succession of leaders, program managers, and conductors.
Funding
● Seek donation matches and sponsorship from performers, audience and member employers;
● Pursue government and foundation grants;
● Assimilate conventional professional fundraising techniques;
● Increase public profile.
Operation
● Appoint administrative and development roles;
● Invoke comprehensive policies & procedures;
● Establish an independent base of operations;
● Foster government and community relations;
● Increase active volunteers & staff.
Expansion
● Build existing programs;
● Eagerly pursue opportunities aligned with our vision, when resources and program managers are available;
● Add 2 or 3 groups or programs per year;
● Assign program managers to select long-term vision programs

+ We value bold integrity
We believe practicing bold integrity leads to an organization that is trusted, respected, and viewed as a force for good. If we are acting on this belief, we will be open and honest both within the organization and with all in the communities we touch. It also means we will respect our legal requirements, contractual agreements, informal agreements, and the rights of those with whom we interact. Our financial management will be rigorously responsible and transparent. We will accept accountability for our mistakes and always strive to improve.
+ We value quality before quantity
We believe focusing on quality leads to more meaningful experience and delivery; quantity follows quality naturally. This translates to a drive for all our musical experiences, for both performers and audiences, to be the best they can be. It also manifests itself in a drive for continual improvement and continual learning. It is not intended to suggest that only perfection is acceptable or that there is anyone who cannot participate in live music. This value applies to all our endeavors whether for new musicians or those who are highly-experienced. It is a value that focuses on intent and effort. Similarly, size of audience is not a driver, but quality of audience experience is. We extend this focus on quality to the running of the organization also. We believe that quality ensures organization sustainability more than speed of growth.
+ We value doing the scary thing
We believe that doing the “scary” thing is necessary to be the best we can be and to make a real impact on others and our communities. By scary, we are referring to doing things that are uncomfortable, different, or not what is expected. This value manifests itself in bold objectives, challenging ourselves and others, unique approaches, and change. It also means failing, learning, and improving. The constructive tension and challenge of the norm is the recipe for progress and change.
+ We value our members, musicians, and audiences
We believe the richness music brings to life results from the combined energy of supporters, volunteers, musicians, and audiences. The DMS is about people and the quality of life. Music can touch everyone. Everyone can participate and contribute to live music. In applying this value, the DMS encourages and welcomes participation by all who are willing to be engaged. We also strive to expose those who do not seek participation so that they too can be amazed by the power of live music.
+ We value contributing to something greater
We believe contributing to something greater than ourselves, even something enormously greater, is why we exist and is a great motivation for all. Living this value leads to having a mission that enhances the lives of others, our society, and ourselves, and to holding a bold vision for the future. When this is real, volunteers, participants and supporters are plentiful.

DMS has presented live music concerts open to all citizens, at venues throughout Pinellas County free of charge since 2016. We are the parent organization/support system for 6 unique music ensembles: Dunedin Concert Band, Rhythm Kings Jazz Orchestra, Pinellas Community Players, Summer Sinfonia, Tampa Bay Music Reading Workshops, and the new Chamber Music Program. Each ensemble includes amateur and professional musicians, offers education, workshops and special events, including a Youth Summer Camp and The Pinellas Festival of Community Bands our annual signature event. In 2019 we engaged 118 musicians, 126 volunteers, hosted 125 plus music events, and welcomed 3,500 guests. COVID 19 has pushed us to modify our events to make them safer for musicians to perform and residents/visitors to attend. Pre-Covid shows were crowded, musicians sat within inches of their colleagues and audiences were filled to capacity indoors following Fire Regulations. Today we are adhering to CDC Guidelines offering lawn concerts for small groups, large concerts in public spaces with 6' radius around every human body and registration in multiple stations instead of one registration desk. To accommodate and implement the upgrades DMS requests funds to provide the equipment, instruments and tools to serve performers and listeners, as well as having the technology to meet participants' needs in a timely manner, as well as the equipment to shepherd small and medium sized crowds respectfully.
Musicians join DMS to perform, share their talent and love of music and be around others who love music. They are inspired by fans of live/acoustic/classical music and believe they are building a better society for all. The general public, snowbirds and newcomers join to get connected in their community, attend and enjoy the performances and varied selections of music or find opportunities for things to do by volunteering to make events happen. DMS has numerous programs for kids to adults. It is what makes living in Pinellas County a special place. This is Karen's story.

In 2021 we started three new ensembles and increased revenue to $169,000, including $99,880 in cash donations.