Crowd funding: get the music to my orchestra

An orchestra produces music. Why would you need to get music to the orchestra?

The title of Robert Bekkers’ crowd funding project begs attention. He needs to raise enough funds to rent the sheet music of the blind composer Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” or the “Aranjuez Guitar Concerto” so that the musicians can read from the score and perform it for his Doctorate of Musical Arts recital at the New England Conservatory (NEC) in Boston on Sunday May 11th, 2014.

Renting the scores is cheaper than buying but it’s still some whopping eight hundred dollars for a one-off performance!

Besides renting the score, classical guitarist Robert Bekkers needs to organize the musicians, none of whom are receiving any kind of salary or compensation. This means a good reception is in order.

One thing is guaranteed, however. The cost of performing and producing your own concert is always higher than you think. To be safe, you should prepare a financial cushion against unexpected costs. You never know if a musician is going to opt out last minute, and you’ll need to find a replacement.

Robert Bekkers, classical guitarist

I have participated in a handful of crowd funding projects. The first was to help a singer fund her upcoming record. The second was helping a friend who lost her husband unexpectedly. Bekkers’ “get the music to my orchestra” is happening right now.

How can you participate?

1. If you have the money and the inclination, you can click on the <DONATE> button and donate. Write a few words to show your support.
2. You can share it on your Facebook page or that of a Facebook friend or group. Say a few words to explain and motivate.
3. You can share it on your Linked In profile or send as a message.
4. You can tweet and retweet it, if you have a Twitter account.
5. You can include the link and e-mail a message to your friends and contacts.
6. You can email and share with people who are fond of Rodrigo’s Concerto Aranjuez, classical guitar, Robert Bekkers, the NEC, Boston, and classical music.

Crowd funding is not only a way to raise funding for a cause, it’s also a way to promote your event or cause. The viral nature of social media through buttons such as share, tweet, or pin it allows messages to be sent to many people through many media very quickly. By the time, Sunday May 11th arrives, Brown Hall (where the concert will take place) will be completely filled.

At least, that’s my hope when I arrive to attend this concert in Boston!