A Letter To Our Supporters
Author: ICle
Date: Thu 26 Mar 2020
Dear Valued Supporter,
Hello and best wishes from all of us in Synergy & Taikoz. Words are inadequate, so what can I say except that the challenges facing everyone in our community are enormous – physically, financially, mentally and spiritually. And while we in the arts sector don't consider ourselves any more special or valuable than anyone else (think of our incredible health workers!), the effects of this dreadful virus have bitten hard and early.
Unfortunately, we are one of the many arts organisations that are now fighting for survival. In the last two weeks, we have had to cancel our scheduled performances for the next six months, postpone classes and suspend development on our new premises. Nevertheless, our aim is to survive and prosper! And to help us, your assistance would be appreciated.
I am extremely disappointed to let you know that we have postponed our recently announced concerts, Synergy Torque (May 24) and Taikoz AADYA (June 12-13). However, in the interest of our audiences, ensemble members, guest artists, and staff, this was a necessary decision. At this stage, we cannot say when they will be rescheduled, but we are exploring dates later in the year. If you have already bought tickets, please contact GM Lee McIver about a refund bd@synergyandtaikoz.com
Term 2 weekly classes will also not begin as scheduled and indeed, may not happen at all. We will keep you updated as to developments.
Further cancellations include regional touring for Musica Viva in Schools, all of our own schools concerts, workshops and school taiko clubs, and non-mainstage and corporate engagements, including several that were connected to the Olympic Games. The result is that our usual income streams have come to a sudden halt, and while state government funding received through Create NSW is gratefully still in place, it basically ‘keeps the lights on’ by covering some overheads and will not carry us through to year’s end.
Last year, your amazing generosity through ‘Raise the Roof’ has gone a long way to realising ‘the dream’. Please be assured that these funds have been ‘quarantined’ for that purpose. Given we could not yet capitalise on the new accommodation as planned, we have decided to suspend development on the project for the time being (and in the process, save enormously on ongoing costs!)
Our players are incredibly dedicated and passionate creative people. Creating and performing music and sharing it with others is what we do. It is fundamental to our existence and we believe that it also plays an equally fundamental and valuable role in the cultural and spiritual life of our society. With this outlook, we aim to remain creative by producing and posting music clips, developing new compositions, producing instructional videos and other educational resources, and prepare for those performances when they happen!
We are a lean, well-run and agile company and so, faced with this challenging situation we are about to administratively ‘hibernate’ and budget accordingly. Nevertheless, we need to support our players as best as we can. All members are professional musicians, relying on the income they derive from playing and teaching to survive. There is a small amount of government support available to us, however we also dearly need your assistance to carry us through.
We have already received generous donations from long-time supporters Penny Campion and Stephen Anderson. If you can spare a contribution, you might like to consider making a tax-deductible gift by donating through Give Now:
https://www.givenow.com.au/synergyandtaikoz or directly into our donations account: Synergy & Taikoz Ltd BSB 062032, Account 1036 1752. Your much-valued financial assistance will help see us through these truly difficult and challenging times.
Thank you, as always, from all of us at Synergy and Taikoz. We wish you all good health and happiness.
Ian and the Team
Taikoz Artistic Director and Synergy Acting Artistic Director
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What's On
A Letter To Our Supporters
Author: ICle
Date: Thu 26 Mar 2020
Dear Valued Supporter,
Hello and best wishes from all of us in Synergy & Taikoz. Words are inadequate, so what can I say except that the challenges facing everyone in our community are enormous – physically, financially, mentally and spiritually. And while we in the arts sector don't consider ourselves any more special or valuable than anyone else (think of our incredible health workers!), the effects of this dreadful virus have bitten hard and early.
Unfortunately, we are one of the many arts organisations that are now fighting for survival. In the last two weeks, we have had to cancel our scheduled performances for the next six months, postpone classes and suspend development on our new premises. Nevertheless, our aim is to survive and prosper! And to help us, your assistance would be appreciated.
I am extremely disappointed to let you know that we have postponed our recently announced concerts, Synergy Torque (May 24) and Taikoz AADYA (June 12-13). However, in the interest of our audiences, ensemble members, guest artists, and staff, this was a necessary decision. At this stage, we cannot say when they will be rescheduled, but we are exploring dates later in the year. If you have already bought tickets, please contact GM Lee McIver about a refund bd@synergyandtaikoz.com
Term 2 weekly classes will also not begin as scheduled and indeed, may not happen at all. We will keep you updated as to developments.
Further cancellations include regional touring for Musica Viva in Schools, all of our own schools concerts, workshops and school taiko clubs, and non-mainstage and corporate engagements, including several that were connected to the Olympic Games. The result is that our usual income streams have come to a sudden halt, and while state government funding received through Create NSW is gratefully still in place, it basically ‘keeps the lights on’ by covering some overheads and will not carry us through to year’s end.
Last year, your amazing generosity through ‘Raise the Roof’ has gone a long way to realising ‘the dream’. Please be assured that these funds have been ‘quarantined’ for that purpose. Given we could not yet capitalise on the new accommodation as planned, we have decided to suspend development on the project for the time being (and in the process, save enormously on ongoing costs!)
Our players are incredibly dedicated and passionate creative people. Creating and performing music and sharing it with others is what we do. It is fundamental to our existence and we believe that it also plays an equally fundamental and valuable role in the cultural and spiritual life of our society. With this outlook, we aim to remain creative by producing and posting music clips, developing new compositions, producing instructional videos and other educational resources, and prepare for those performances when they happen!
We are a lean, well-run and agile company and so, faced with this challenging situation we are about to administratively ‘hibernate’ and budget accordingly. Nevertheless, we need to support our players as best as we can. All members are professional musicians, relying on the income they derive from playing and teaching to survive. There is a small amount of government support available to us, however we also dearly need your assistance to carry us through.
We have already received generous donations from long-time supporters Penny Campion and Stephen Anderson. If you can spare a contribution, you might like to consider making a tax-deductible gift by donating through Give Now:
https://www.givenow.com.au/synergyandtaikoz or directly into our donations account: Synergy & Taikoz Ltd BSB 062032, Account 1036 1752. Your much-valued financial assistance will help see us through these truly difficult and challenging times.
Thank you, as always, from all of us at Synergy and Taikoz. We wish you all good health and happiness.
Ian and the Team
Taikoz Artistic Director and Synergy Acting Artistic Director