Funding Proposal

Background

After Stransky Park was finished and officially dedicated in the Irvingdale Neighborhood, area residents suggested that it would be a great venue for live music. The idea for a Stransky Park Music Series was born in 2004. Last year, in the Summer of 2005, each of the seven Stransky concerts drew an estimated 200 people.

What started out to be a neighborhood event began drawing people from all over town. The concert series provides an opportunity to experience local artists in a family-friendly environment. According to Doug Farmer, a musician and the concert organizer, “one of the best things about the series is to watch little kids react to their first exposure to live music. That moment can be life-changing… it was for me.”

Musicians are now playing to many people who wouldn't normally get a chance to hear them. Although only donation buckets support the musicians, some of the best local bands eagerly participate in the series because it has gained the reputation as “a great gig.”

The Irvingdale Neighborhood Association provides sno-cones, lemonade, and popcorn at the concert events, which are supported through separate donations.

The Need

To continue the successful music series, the Irvingdale Neighborhood Association must purchase a reliable, easily accessible sound system. Last year, the series borrowed the personal equipment of the concert series organizer. For each of the seven concerts it was disassembled, removed from his basement, used for the concert, and then returned to the basement to be reassembled for his personal music needs. As a result, the equipment received much more wear and tear than it would have experienced if it had stayed assembled in his basement. Luckily, nothing was broken. If equipment would have been damaged, the volunteer concert organizer would have suffered the loss.

With its growing popularity, it is conceivable that the Stransky Park music series could come to rival the Antelope Park music series… maybe even become a “mini- Jazz in June” (in July and August). But the series needs to have access to its own reliable sound system. The concert organizer can no longer afford to subsidize the event with his own equipment.

The Solution

A new public address sound system should be purchased and used for Stransky concerts during the summer. During the school year, three schools that serve the neighborhood (Prescott, Saratoga and Irvingdale) could use the equipment for extracurricular events.

The proposed system would consist of reliable products from good companies that give solid warrantees. The system would be flexible enough to handle anything from a single acoustic artist, to a power-pop trio, to a fifteen-piece horn band. It would be sturdy and provide excellent sound quality in order to best serve both the audience and the musicians.

The new system would be stored at the Irvingdale Recreation Center and the neighborhood association would have a key to the storage room. Neighborhood volunteers would continue to transport, set up, and take down the system. The concert organizer would maintain the system and insurance would be purchased to cover any potential loss.

Budget

JBL MP415 main speakers @ $599.00 x 2	$1,200.00
JBL MP418 subwoofers @ $679.00 x 2	$1,360.00
JBL JRX112M monitors @ $280.00 x 2	$560.00
Yamaha EMX5000 20 channel powered mixer/board	$850.00
Crown XLS 402 power amp	$330.00
Pro Co 100 ft. 16 channel / 4 return stage snake	$450.00
Pro Co DB-1 direct box @ $99.99 x 2	$200.00
Ultimate MC-97 microphone stands @ $59.99 x 2	$120.00
Ultimate MCL-80 microphone stands @ $59.99 x 3	$180.00
Ultimate MC-41T microphone stands @ 49.99 x 2	$100.00
Shure SM-58 vocal microphones @ 99.00 x 4	$400.00
Shure SM-57 instrument microphones @ $89.00 x4	$360.00
Shure PG-6 drum microphone package	$400.00
Cables	$100.00
________ Total	$6,610.00

All prices quoted are from www.musiciansfriend.com

Insurance will be a yearly cost and will be paid for by the neighborhood association. Repairs to equipment and replacement costs will also be borne by the association.