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Repertoire & Resources

talented young artists to give pre-concert “concerts” in ture of collaboration.
the lobby before the performance. Subsequently, atten- As the ACDA Lifelong Choirs Chair, building com-
dance from our youngest musicians (and their families) munity is a passion of mine. For those in the Music
has increased significantly. and Worship side of ACDA, I encourage you to cele-
brate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nica-
Ethical Practices ea, source of the Nicene Creed. I am looking forward
We must also integrate eco-friendly and ethical prac- to the opportunity to make music with my neighbors-
tices into operations. Perhaps this means energy-effi- in-faith and producing an event bigger than any of us
cient technologies, waste reduction, and sustainable could pull off singlehandedly.
purchasing. By aligning our missions with environmen- In-house culture and community should also be a
tally conscious principles, we can enhance operation priority. Investing in our people, both staff and vol-
effectiveness while positively contributing to the envi- unteer, to build a skilled force capable of driving the
ronment. Consider a comprehensive sustainability as- organization forward is worth the effort on the front
sessment to help identify areas for improvement. Doing end. Ultimately, we want to attract individuals who are
so will enable you to set measurable goals and action- passionate about the organization’s goals and who can
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able plans to minimize ecological footprints. Though effectively contribute to its longevity. Also related to
we could simply eliminate paper programs, perhaps we housekeeping is a constant assessment of the goals and
take a more aggressive approach and look at our invest- mission. Having a plan with clear financial goals and
ments and their guidelines. strategies to achieve them should be also be regularly
Though we at St. Paul’s have reduced the bulletin assessed and adapted to changing circumstances. This
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size to minimize our paper consumption, we have also ensures relevance and effectiveness in the mission.
made strategic investment decisions. We have asked
our investment managers to avoid holding stocks in
tobacco companies, private prisons, military contrac- Case Studies
tors, and companies that derive more than ten percent Where else can we go for guidance and understand-
of their revenue from fossil fuels. There are exceptions ing on the impact and effectiveness of sustainability
that arise from broad-market investments that may initiatives within nonprofit music organizations? Case
have some exposure in those areas, but our endowment studies. Case studies uncover detailed narratives and
holds no concentrated positions in them. Ultimately, insights regarding the changes brought about by spe-
we must be good stewards of our resources, those less cific programs. For instance, an instrumental case study
fortunate and marginalized, and this fragile earth, our focusing on the defunding of music education in a
island home. community revealed the crucial roles played by local
anchor institutions, such as Oklahoma City University
Building Community and St. Luke’s United Methodist church, in addressing
Community is also key. I have found that direct asks these challenges. This study highlighted the sociopo-
(be that time, talent, or funds) and local partnerships litical dynamics at play and the lived experiences of
can be a game changer. An African proverb states, “If the founders involved in music education initiatives,
you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go demonstrating how personal relationships and commu-
together.” Collaborating with other organizations and nity engagement can drive sustainability efforts.
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local businesses amplifies the impact of our own op- The Wallace Foundation’s Building Audiences
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erations. Finding potential partners that share similar for Sustainability initiative investigated the audi-
missions and values is essential for building mutually ence-building strategies of various nonprofit perform-
beneficial relationships. Through joint projects and ing arts organizations, including prominent orchestras
resource-sharing initiatives, our organizations can en- such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the
hance outreach and effectiveness while fostering a cul- Los Angeles Philharmonic. The findings emphasized

48 CHORAL JOURNAL May 2025 Volume 65 Number 8