Spotlights

Public Value Partnership Grant
Building Audiences In New Venues

Public Value Partnership grantee Symphony New Hampshire took an innovative approach to building audiences as part of the City of Nashua’s 2013 “Summer Fun” program by presenting a summer pops concert at Nashua’s historic Holman Stadium. The event celebrated the way music can build community vitality.

The informal setting of a ball park and the free admission allowed many people who otherwise do not have the opportunity to hear professional musicians play great music.  This unique approach to a community-based concert was made possible through generous underwriting from Citizens Bank Foundation, with additional major support from Nashua Arts Commission, Bellwether Community Credit Union and Mother & Child Clothing and Gifts. One of the goals of the concert was to build a younger audience and tied in with another initiative of Symphony New Hampshire that provides an opportunity for four Nashua High School North music students to attend regular subscription concerts at no cost, courtesy of a private donation.

The summer pops concert at Holman Stadium featured popular and patriotic favorites such as “Stars & Stripes Forever” and “America the Beautiful,” plus music from movies and Broadway, including suites from “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “West Side Story,” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Light classics that included music from Holst’s “The Planets,” Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” rounded out the program. Executive Director Eric Valliere and the Symphony NH staff took extra measures to make sure that the acoustical challenges of playing in a baseball stadium were well- addressed by a rehearsal at the high school and another in the stadium the day of the concert. All in all, it was a day for both musicians and the audience to remember!

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Public Value Partnerships for general operating support of nonprofit cultural organizations are an investment in the cultural infrastructure and creative economy of New Hampshire. The creative economy is made up of artists, nonprofit organizations and creative businesses that positively impact quality of life in communities, generate jobs and produce revenue for municipalities, cities and the state. Public Value Partnerships also ensure that the arts are available and accessible to all New Hampshire citizens.

For more information on Public Value Partnership grants, contact Chief Grants Officer Cassandra Mason.

Last updated: January 2, 2014