Three Year Strategic Plan July 2019-June 2022
Elektra’s Mission
To inspire and lead in the choral art form through excellence in performance and the creation, exploration, and celebration of women’s repertoire.
Distinctive Excellence
Under the leadership of a world-class conductor, Elektra inspires a strong following through excellence in performance, a rich palette of sound, and open and professional presentation of who we are and what we do.
Objective I – Demonstrate leadership in the choral world
Strategy I. Deliver a concert season that embodies excellence in programming and performance
- 2019/2020 task: Program and commission repertoire relevant to the development of women’s choirs, including The Lost Words project
- 2020/2021 task: Program repertoire that explores and includes diverse cultural connections, including those with indigenous groups
- 2021/2022 task: Engage with compelling guest artists and repertoire
Strategy II. Cultivate strategic partnerships and networks
- 2019/2020 task: Continue to listen to and build relationships with indigenous communities, including through the Cultural Conversations program
- 2020/2021 task: Host Tapestry International Celebration of Women’s Choirs
- 2021/2022 task: Plan international tour for 22/23, building on relationships made at WSCM 2020 and Tapestry 2021
Strategy III. Share our resources, knowledge, and experience
- 2019/2020 task: Focus on publicizing the availability of our online resources
- 2020/2021 task: Maximize opportunities for sharing at Tapestry International
- 2021/2022 task: Make use of new technologies to deepen online viewer experience
Objective II. Sustain and grow our impact
Strategy I. Encourage lifelong participation in choral music through a suite of outreach programs
- 2019/2020 task: Re-launch “Girls Sing” as the “Diane Loomer Choir” outreach program to encourage participation from people of diverse gender identities
- 2020/2021 task: Explore opportunities for outreach with emerging conductors
- 2021/2022 task: Research best practices in outreach by other arts organizations worldwide
Strategy II. Grow our local, national, and international communities
- 2019/2020 task: Organize second Women’s Choir Symposium in tandem with Choral Canada’s “Podium” conference in Montreal (May 2020)
- 2020/2021 task: Artistic Director to attend World Symposium on Choral Music in New Zealand (July 2020)
- 2021/2022 task: Tour to Ontario’s summer classical music festivals
Strategy III. Reinforce the Elektra brand
- 2019/2020 task: Strike a committee to review Elektra’s brand
- 2020/2021 task: Fully update Elektra.ca and other online channels
- 2021/2022 task: Perform at events to showcase our brand to new audiences
Strategy IV. Maintain Artistic Excellence
- 2019/2020 task: Raise the standard of non-musical production values of season concerts
- 2020/2021 task: Capitalize on learning opportunities related to Tapestry International
- 2021/2022 task: Assign resources to voice lessons and other opportunities for artistic development
Objective III: Expand the body of quality women’s choir repertoire
Strategy I. Commission new works for women’s choirs
- 2019/2020 task: Commission Canadian composers for 20 works for The Lost Words
- 2020/2021 task: Commission indigenous composer(s) for March 2021 water project
- 2021/2022 task: Commission six new arrangements of Joni Mitchell songs for March 2022 performance
Strategy II. Create opportunities for composers
- 2019/2020 task: Release Elektra’s 16th and 17th studio albums, including 15 first recordings
- 2020/2021 task: Pending viability, publish sheet music and/or studio-record The Lost Words
- 2021/2022 task: Optimize new technologies on elektra.ca to deepen content about composers and especially their works written for Elektra
Strategy III. Bring attention to existing quality works
- 2019/2020 task: Continue researching existing repertoire through the Lab Choir program
- 2020/2021 task: Perform outstanding repertoire at the VSO New Music Festival
- 2021/2022 task: Program Canadian and international music discovered through the Lab Choir sessions
Objective IV: Thrive as an organization
Strategy I. Attract and retain individuals and organizations in alignment with the mission and values of Elektra
- 2019/2020 task: Strengthen the rosters of various committees, including attracting community (non-singer) members
- 2020/2021 task: Leverage best practices for ongoing board development, including succession planning
- 2021/2022 task: Formalize periodic evaluation processes for board, committee, staff, and supporter engagement
Strategy II. Ensure strong governance through effective documentation, communication, and evaluation processes
- 2019/2020 task: Implement new information management system. Improve and centralize documentation of board and committee activities.
- 2020/2021 task: Hold Board Retreat with an outside facilitator. Publish Annual Report
- 2021/2022 task: Evaluate and maximize the impact of new information system.
Strategy III. Ensure financial resources are in place to achieve our mission
- 2019/2020 task: Apply for new four-year Canada Council operating grant
- 2020/2021 task: Establish a fundraising subcommittee devoted to corporate sponsorship
- 2021/2022 task: Establish a financial plan for the following season’s international tour