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Thurles Musical Society A.G.M. 2009 Report
Thurles Musical Society held it's Annual General Meeting in The Premier Hall on Thursday 10th September and predicted very challenging times ahead for musical theatre with the cost of productions continuing to rise while the prospects of fundraising diminish.
The well attended AGM reviewed the season just gone and looked forward to the 2010 production of Fiddler on the Roof which is sure to be a big attraction for musical lovers - it is a show with fantastic music, a great storyline, humour and human tragedy - a show that has it all really.
This was the first time in the history of the Society that the AGM was held in September following a change in by-laws during the course of the year - it was felt by members that September would be a far more advantageous time to hold the AGM after the summer break.
Chairman Mary Butler, who announced that she will be stepping down at the end of the season, referred to the challenging times facing musical societies all over the country. Costs, she said, are not going down and while Thurles was fortunate to have had a huge success with Jesus Christ Superstar in 2009, other shows would not be as successful at the box office - JC practically sold out for all five shows during the run.
"I suppose there is less money around and people are a bit more circumspect nowadays. We will just have to be aware of this and trim our sails a bit. Even from this time last year things have changed hugely and the bubble has burst big time," she said.
Referring to Fiddler on the Roof, the Chairperson said that it was not an easy decision for the committee. Picking a show remains the single biggest item on the agenda for each committee and a number of varying factors come into it. Fiddler, she said, is a very popular show with great music, lots of parts and plenty for everyone to do.
In thanking the Golf sub committee and the Casino Night organisers - vital fundraising ventures for the Society - the Chairperson opinioned that a new, novel fundraiser is needed to help capture the imagination and ultimately raise much needed cash to help defray the costs associated with shows and running the Society. A bag pack will take place on October 22nd -24th and she appealed for members to turn out in force for this.
The Chairperson congratulated Mary Rose McNally, Brian Flanagan, Tommy Sweeney and the Society itself for securing AIMS nominations for Jesus Christ Superstar, with Tommy winning the Best Stage Manager award once again. And, in closing her address, she thanked her Secretary Laura Ryan, Treasurer Antoin O'Briain and the hard working committee for all of their efforts during the year. The Chairperson also brought to the attention of members the new website www.thurlesmusicalsociety.com which has been brilliantly designed and managed by Webmaster Nóra Tuohy.
Secretary Laura Ryan gave a rundown of the Society's activities during the year and said that Jesus Christ Superstar will live long in the memory of those who were involved. It was a super show, she said, and she thanked all who helped to bring it to the stage in Thurles.
Rev Father Martin Hayes, Patron of the Society, was also lavish in his prasie for the efforts of the members during the year and was particularly appreciative of the turnout on Good Friday when the trial scene was staged on the steps of the Cathedral of the Assumption as part of the Easter celebrations. The clergy, he said, try to bring the whole thing right out there for the people and make it real to them - the re-enactment did exactly that, he said.
Treasurer Antoin O'Briain reported comprehensively on the finances and explained that JC was the most expensive show ever staged by Thurles Musical Society. He paid particular tribute to the patrons, advertisers and supporters of TMS and said that their support year in, year out is a reflection of the standing of the Society in the locality. He also thanked the Anner Hotel and Mr Frank Mulcahy for their generosity as Main Sponsor and announced that they would be on board again in 2010 for Fiddler on the Roof.
Considerable debate and discussion followed on a range of issues before the new committee was announced after a vote.
Officers Elected were:
President: Alice O'Briain
Vice President: Alice Hogan
Chairperson: Mary Butler
Secretary: Laura Ryan
Treasurer: Antoin O'Briain
Committee: Mary Callanan, Philip Egan, Mary O'Flynn, Finbarr Shelly, John Butler, Mary Long, Geraint Fyler.
To be Co-Opted at first meeting of the committee:
Musical Director: Mary Rose McNally
Webmaster: Nóra Tuohy
PRO: Noel Dundon
A.G.M. ~ September 10th
Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, 10th September in the Premier Hall at 8.30pm. We hope that all members of our society can attend. If anyone has a Notice of Motion for the General meeting, it is important that it reaches the Secretary Laura Ryan, four days before the A.G.M.
The agenda for the meeting is :
- Minutes of last A.G.M.
- Chairpersons Address
- Hon. Secretary's Report
- Hon. Treasurer's Report
- Ratify change of date of A.G.M.
- Election of President
- Election of Vice President
- Election of Chairperson
- Election of Secretary
- Election of Treasurer
- Election of 7 Committee Members
- A.O.B.