The Prelude Project is an effort to cultivate and engage new and young audiences at Lafayette Symphony Orchestra(LSO) events. The initiative began last season and work will increase going forward with the help of an LSO committee dedicated to the task.
Executive Director Sara Mummey says symphonies across the country are doing similar initiatives. She says the goal is to create or grow future audiences.
“To foster lasting relationships between young patrons and the Lafayette Symphony by creating exciting musical experiences, social events, as well as philanthropic opportunities.”
Mummey says the symphony will always play classical music, but programming changes might include adding edgier, creative artists with a different performance style. The LSO already made some programming changes last season, which she says current fans also enjoyed.
“It’s an opportunity for both the newer audiences and our existing audiences to be exposed to something new and, we hope, learn about and enjoy something new.”
Mummey calls the overwhelming response “very positive.”
LSO Board President Phil Fiorini says marketing, pricing, and quality of the programming are all part of the project.
“We feel we needed to make a more strategic and intentional sort of step to make our audience much younger than what it is,” he says.
“There’s a great potential to focus specifically on the 18 to 34 age group for our programming that, we feel, obviously appeals to lots of people.”
Fiorini says new Purdue students and faculty, and young professionals who move to the area need to know about what the LSO has to offer. He says that’s music comparable to symphonies in Chicago and Indianapolis at a much more affordable price.
The new season begins September 14th.
The LSO has put out a call-for-artists to design a logo for the Prelude Project, which will be used in future ad campaigns:
Call for Artists, The Prelude Project Logo, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette, IN The project is an effort to cultivate and engage new and young audiences for orchestral music in North Central Indiana. Artists and designers are invited to submit proposals for the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra's Prelude Project logo. The selected logo will be used for all work associated with the group including, but not limited to the official website, media releases, merchandise, posters and brochures. This call is open to all artists and/or designers 18 years of age and older. Benefits of participating include an intense creative experience, being part of a great movement to cultivate the next generation of arts enthusiasts, and a unique opportunity to have your work published and viewed by thousands of people. In addition, the selected designer will receive complimentary membership to the Prelude Project and a 2013-2014 season ticket. Deadline for submissions is 4:00 p.m. (EST) July 11, 2013. Artist will be notified July 19th. Delivery of logo design expected by July 23, 2013. Artists should submit their proposals in electronic PDF format at no less than 200dpi. Vector files will be required upon selection of the design. The ownership of design ideas submitted with this remains with the artist, until selection has been made and an agreement signed. Selected design will become the property of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. For more information, call 765-742-6463. Questions, or design proposals should be sent to: executivedirector@lafayettesymphony.org.