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<p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%;"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><font
face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Dear
Singers,</font></font></font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%;"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><font
face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">I
am writing to review our year from the organizational point of view
and to let you know about an information session for singers that is
scheduled for May 14.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%;"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><font
face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">We
scheduled the information session in our regular time slot on Monday,
May 14, at 7:30PM in the Marcus Dry Room, our regular rehearsal
space. We'll cover organizational matters, finances, and the
2012-2013 season plans.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%;"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><font size="3"><font
face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">We
are having a great artistic season. Larry has been very appreciative
of the improved concentration and effort at rehearsals, especially
as we have adjusted to our new and closer quarters and has been
extremely pleased with the quality of performances from all groups
through Italian Vespers, Christmas Pops and the Beethoven Mass.
Rehearsals for Earthsongs are progressing well. As referenced in the
Chorus Notes, we have received outstanding outside reviews for every
concert.</font></font></font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><font color="#000000">We
are at a special</font> time in the life of the Concert Singers and
are remarkably well-placed to continue to thrive and grow. Increasing
regional recognition, the construction of the Arts Center (a clear
demonstration of Cary’s attention to the arts, including CSC), our
collaborations with the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle and other
regional musicians, refinement of ensembles, and the flourishing
local interest in the arts and their ability to enrich lives) are all
very positive. And we keep proving that we have the commitment and
the talent to provide wonderful and enriching musical performances as
the area’s premiere musical organization.</font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Our
Board is committed to building on our great assets and has scheduled
an all day retreat to review where we have been, improve our
functions and learn from each other and from leaders of other
successful regional musical organizations. A free-standing
development committee has been working hard to plan marketing and
fund raising activities for next season and to expand our base of
supporters.<br>
<br>
You may have heard that this year has been a bit
difficult financially for our organization. There are numerous
factors that have resulted in a projected deficit for this fiscal
year ending June 30th, 2012. Hurricane Irene last summer resulted in
Lazy Daze being cancelled. With its cancellation, we lost the $2500
grant. We were over-optimistic in forecasting admissions this season.
Finally, we had an aggressive dollar amount in our budget for
corporate and foundation donations that did not materialize. In
addition, a pair of major complications surfaced in that Rich Hobson,
our executive director, resigned midway through the fiscal year as
did our former president, Shannon Giles.</font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">You
should be reassured that the projected deficit is modest, at a level
of less than 10% of the annual budget. It is also less than the
amount of surplus operating account funds that were transferred to
our endowment last year and is much less than the recent returns on
our endowment investments. In other words, our finances are very
secure and this year’s balance sheet has minimum impact on our
overall financial well being.</font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">We
have identified expenses that can be cut for the remainder of the
season. These cuts will not impact us musically or our Earthsongs
concert. In addition, we are committed to applying what we have
learned from events this year to subsequent budgets.</font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">In
the meantime, <b>this Spring is an especially </b><i><b>great</b></i><b>
time for some </b><b>actions you can take</b><b>, including:</b></font></font></font></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US">
<font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">The upcoming <i><u><b>EarthSongs</b></u></i>
concert is an <b>especially good time for us all to make a special
effort to fill the auditorium.</b> Consider buying 2 tickets to
EarthSongs and getting people in those seats by gifting or reselling.
Every seat filled puts $15 on our bottom line. Get the word out to all
your friends.</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US">
<font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Think about attending or
recommending the dinner gala at the home of Jackie Salmon on April 28
at 6:00 pm. $30 gets dinner and great singing from Larry Speakman and
Jen Myers, accompanied by Allen Bailey. See the website under “Members.”</font></font></font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US">
<font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">The Annual Pledge Campaign runs
until June 30, if you meant to donate, but forgot or have a tax refund
burning a hole in your pocket. You can donate online at <a
href="http://concertsingers.org/">http://concertsingers.org</a></font></font></font></p>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">If you have any questions about what
you can do to help, feel free to me by email at <font color="#000080"><span
lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:jferguson@nc.rr.com" target="_blank">jferguson@nc.rr.com</a></u></span></font>
or by phone <font color="#000080"><span lang="zxx"><u><a
href="tel:919.468.8223" target="_blank">919.468.8223</a></u></span></font>.
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The other board members are </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="font-weight: normal;">David
Atwater<br>
David Lee<br>
Don Cariss<br>
Jill Ruvidich<br>
Jim Rigsbee<br>
Jackie Salmon<br>
Ken Fortier<br>
Larry Speakman, Ex Officio</span></font></font></font></p>
</ul>
<ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><br>
Thank you for all that you do to make this a unique, enjoyable and
successful organization. The Board appreciates your extra effort to
guarantee our successful journey through these challenging times.<br>
<br>
Best Regards,<br>
Joe Ferguson</font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; widows: 2; orphans: 2;" lang="en-US"><font
color="#000000"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif"><font
style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Board President<br>
Concert Singers of Cary<br>
</font></font></font><br>
</p>
</ul>
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