Festival at Sandpoint 2023 Annual Report

FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT

2023 ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR: OCT 2022 - SEP 2023

WWW.FESTIVALATSANDPOINT.COM

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208-265-4554

A Message

FROM THE PRESIDENT Season's Greetings Festival Supporters!

Thank you to our sponsors, staff, volunteers, concertgoers, and Board of Directors for making 2023 an astounding success. The Summer Performance Series was full of fabulous music, food, friends, and fun! Your support was integral in our success throughout the year and guided us in continuing to adapt and evolve the Festival with the new pace of the world. Together, we were able to provide engaging educational experiences for our community’s youth as well as produce a unique two-week event with a world-class lineup in a beautiful setting.

Amy Bistline Board President

I can't say enough about our talented, hardworking, and dedicated staff, who not only manage the day-to-day operations but also continue to look to improve and expand the Festival's services and programs. The team is already busy planning our 41st concert series with the earliest concert announcement in Festival history. We can't wait to hear from you throughout the year and see you next summer.

We could not do it without you!

Happy Holidays!

Our Board of

DIRECTORS Left to Right - Kara Berlin, President: Amy Bistline, Treasurer: Chris Blanford, Bob Witte, Secretary: Hali Karr, Vice President: Cari House Not Pictured - Marcella Nelson, Kendon Perry, Ben Higgs

AUG 4 REO Speedwagon with Charlie Farren

2023 SUMMER PERFORMANCE SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

Our 2023 Summer Performance Series once again broke organizational records.

With the increased capacity of 500 tickets per night, our nine performances had a greater ability to succeed. With one of the Festival’s highest-caliber lineups in the organization's history came record ticket sales and sponsorships. The 2023 series sold 1,984 more individual tickets than our previous record-breaking year and had three sold-out shows. Our Family Show and Grand Finale, with the debut of our Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra, both broke ticket sale records for these historic programs. We are so honored by the support and the exceptional talent our community experienced for the Festival’s 40th Annual Summer Series.

JULY 27

An Evening with

Brit Floyd JULY 28 Gary Clark Jr.

with Brady Watt

JULY 29 TRAIN

with Better Than Ezra

JULY 30

An Evening with

The String Cheese Incident AUG 3 Family Show

with Michael Franti & Friends

AUG 3 Michael Franti & Spearhead with SOJA

AUG 5 Ashley McBryde with Zach Top

AUG 6 Grand Finale: The Princess Bride in Concert

Building Our

PARTNERSHIPS We would like to recognize the following businesses & families who generously supported our mission this year.

Special Recognition:

Sponsors:

A huge thank you to Marc and Vicki Brinkmeyer, who provided an impactful contribution of $60,000 to the Festival at Sandpoint on behalf of the employees of Idaho Forest Group. Contributions like this make bringing artists such as Train, Michael Franti, REO Speedwagon, and Ashley McBryde to Sandpoint possible. They also recognize the Festival's mission of year-round music education and the overall economic impact the Festival has on the region. Idaho Forest Group's Mission: To enhance the lives and livelihoods of our employees, customers, partners, and the communities in which we operate by providing the earth's best renewable building products.

Idaho Forest Group, Toyota, STCU, Avista Foundation, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Maribeth Portz & David Wanek, Litehouse, Inc., Mountain View Veterinary Clinic, Signature Aesthetics, TRS Consulting IT Services, AGE Heating & Cooling, Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce & Idaho Department of Commerce - Tourism Development, North Idaho Title, Washington Trust Bank, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., Gregg & Marilyn Marston, Van Vleet Foundation, William Wishnick Foundation, Knickerbocker Foundation, Steve & Julie Meyer, Brian & Kimberly Cox, Kara & Trevor Wart, Allyson Presta, Matt & Lisa Hilty, Brent & Barb Leedle, Finan McDonald Clothing Company, Sylvan Learning Center, Silverwing at Sandpoint, The Schuck Family, Pacific Timber Products, Scotchman’s Coffee, Greg D & Melanie S McFarland Foundation, CGVI Family Foundation, Inc., Debra Clairmont, Lewis & Hawn Excellence in Dentistry, Paul & Bonnie Bawel, Baxters on Cedar, Evergreen Realty, True Seals, John & Lynda Hansen, BC & DJ McFarland Foundation, Daugherty Management, Apex Tree Pro LLC, North Idaho Flood and Fire, Cedar Management Company, Colin & Shawnda Burnett, Powder Hound Pizza, Mick Duff's Brewing Company, Kochava, Edward & Rebecca Hawkins, Terry & Denise Plaza, Read & Peg Tuddenham, Michael Welp, Nicholas & Karen Warrick, Deborah Brown, Rick & Darcey Small, Shelley Wogman, Christopher Hopper, Garvan Media, Management Marketing, Inc., Vince & Amelia Huntsberger, Kerr Supply/CarQuest of Bonners Ferry, Krista McMasters, Nate & Gina Hall, Elevate Real Estate Group, Rick & Hali Karr, Kraft Insurance, David & Candy Tate, Don & Lori Morris, Steve & Dawn Watts, Gil Beyer & Sherry Casamento, Rebecca & Ken Kovalchuk, Mark & Kim Powers, Jon & Carol Davis, Dan & Lori Meulenberg, Lynda Roberts, Bryan & Jill White, Todd M. House D.M.D. PA, Thomas Klein & Kay Eason, Clif & Carol Warren, Jeff & Cindy Bond, Vickie & Tom Pfeifer, Dennis & Valerie Luce, Bill Williamson, Sand Creek Schweitzer Conoco, Marcella Nelson, Don & Carol Sheridan, Applegate Health Care, Lodestone Wealth Management, Hickey Law Firm PLLC, Bill Ritter, Pend Oreille Construction, Nancy Lewis, Amelia & Andrew Boyd, Donny & Lisa Blaese, Moon Time Traditional Food & Ales, Jim & Julie Frank, Jack & Bettyjo Hilliard, Schweitzer, Life with Kate, Inc., Marilyn Dalby Sabella, James Hemingway, Mark & Robyn Johnson, Duane & Lori Castles, Christian & Gulia Groenke, The Insurance Shop USA, Farm Bureau Insurance, Bill & Marge Preuss, Clarence & Linda Van Dellen

Additional Funding : We would also like to thank and recognize the generosity of the entities who granted the Festival at Sandpoint significant dollars toward our mission, including: Idaho Community Foundation - Bonner County Fund for Arts Enhancement Grant for education outreach and the Festival Youth Orchestra Idaho Commission on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts - Public Program in the Arts Grant for the 2023 Summer Performance Series Innovia Foundation - Community Fund Grant for volunteer management and the Equinox Grant for the 2023 Family Show Community Assistance League - Grant for education outreach and the Festival Youth Orchestra

In-Kind Sponsors: Coca-Cola, Blue Sky Broadcasting, Ting, Connie’s Cafe & Lounge, The Tin Roof, KXLY Radio, The Idaho Club, Realm Partners, The Inlander, Charlotte’s Web, Like Media, KXLY Broadcast Group, Jacob W Styer CPA PLLC, The Spokesman-Review, Sandpoint Reader, Idaho Wine Commission, Cliff & MaryLou Otten, Keokee Media + Marketing, Bistline Law PLLC, Racheal Baker Photography, Yellow Goat Studio, & Pend d’Oreille Winery

Nurturing the Next Generation

2023 EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS INSTRUMENT LIBRARY The Festival at Sandpoint now offers a FREE instrument library with a refundable deposit. This program adjustment updates the previous rental program in an attempt to help keep music education an affordable option for local families. Thanks to several generous donors, the Festival added 20 instruments to its extensive instrument library, including violins, basses, cellos, electric and bass guitars, trumpets, and horns.

The library also includes a variety of music accessories, including an assortment of amplifiers, stands, strings, and cases.

PRE-K OUTREACH In 2023, the Little Lambs and Selkirk School completed their second year of our Pre-K Outreach program. This free series of in-class lessons is designed to engage students through rhythm, movement, and song. During each session, students focus on a specific rhythmic element while integrating new instruments. This rhythmbased approach helps students establish strong foundations at a pivotal age of 3-6 years, which is one of the largest gaps in music education nationwide. We are excited to be expanding this program to two additional schools in the upcoming fiscal year.

MASTERCLASSES Our education department worked closely with local music and band instructors to provide small group masterclasses to local 6th-8th grade students during the 2022-2023 school year. These classes were sectionbased and tailored to the needs of the students. In addition to our Education Manager, six local active and retired instructors assisted in band classes, providing small group and one-on-one support. These instructors spent a combined total of 75 hours providing support to over 200 students across eight classrooms.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM We take pride in our internship program that offers local teens and young adults real-life music industry experience, while also thoughtfully mentoring and creating roles based on interns’ strengths and interests. Being able to provide a promising and highly-talented intern with their first career makes our internship program that much more rewarding. This summer, three interns took on tailored roles where they could hone their skills in one specific area, including merchandising and sales, marketing, hospitality, and customer service.

Investing in the Future

2023 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Instrumental Scholarship Winner

Instrumental Scholarship Runner-Up

HANNAH ADAMS

EVAN SCHWENK

Adams participated in Coeur d'Alene High School Chamber Orchestra, Spokane Youth Symphony, and the North Idaho Youth Symphony throughout middle and high school. In her free time, Adams offers private violin lessons to beginners, participates in camps like the Belmont University Summer Strings Camp, and performs in assisted-care facilities. Adams plans to attend Belmont University in Tennessee. In the future, she hopes to return to Sandpoint and build a program for string instrumentalists.

Aside from performing in several chamber orchestras, including the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, Schwenk finds joy in teaching.

Schwenk co-teaches the Sandpoint Christian School’s junior orchestra and is the full-time student cello instructor at the Suzuki String Academy. Schwenk plans to attend the University of Idaho and pursue a double major in music education and cello performance. After college, he hopes to perform in a large orchestra and start a youth symphony in Sandpoint.

Poster Contest Scholarship Winner

Charley Packard Memorial Songwriting Scholarship Winner

MAX BAZLER Bazler, a college student pursuing a degree in Graphic and Web Design from North Idaho College, was selected as the 2023 Series Lineup Poster Artist.

“As an artist and nature enthusiast, I have always been drawn to the natural beauty of Sandpoint and the surrounding area,” Bazler offered as contributing to the inspiration behind his submission. “The breathtaking scenery inspired me to create a poster that captures the essence of the area.”

ARIE VANDENBERG For his audition, Vandenberg performed his original song “We Ain’t Done” on guitar. He has been playing guitar for five years; however, he dreamed of being a musician since he was young.

Aside from four months of beginner guitar lessons at age 13, VanDenBerg has been self-taught.

He plans to attend Chapman University in California and pursue a degree in business and wants to continue performing and honing his songwriting skills in college.

THE FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT IS PROUD TO HAVE GIVEN $6,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO FIVE LOCAL STUDENTS IN 2023 TO SUPPORT THEIR ENDEAVORS IN CONTINUING EDUCATION. IN 2024, THE FESTIVAL AT SANDPOINT WILL ALSO BE AWARDING TWO ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, THE MUSIC INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIP AND VOCALIST SCHOLARSHIP.

Arts Scholarship Winner for Writing

ELIZABETH COUCH Couch was selected as the recipient of the Festival at Sandpoint & Angels Over Sandpoint scholarship for her diverse portfolio of creative writing.

She enjoys writing a variety of genres, including, but not limited to, poetry, fantasy, and literary fiction.

“I have developed some of my best writing skills because my English teachers guided me through symbolism, emotive language, and self-reflection,” Couch said.

2023 HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED NEW STAFF The Festival at Sandpoint welcomed three new staff members to our team. Our Marketing & Office Manager, Cienna Roget, joined last October after four years as a summer intern. Operations Manager Veronica Knowlton and Finance & Development Manager Tess Howell joined the team in January, both of whom had been volunteers during the Summer Series in the past. Each member of the Festival Staff has become a valuable asset to the team, and their unique skill sets each bring something new to FAS and the Summer Series.

POSTER CONTEST

This past year, we held our first Poster Contest, selecting the artwork to represent the Summer Series. Overwhelmed with 32 submissions of a variety of mediums, including digital, oil, watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media, it was difficult to choose just one. After much deliberation, the selection committee chose Tammy Zinke as the 2023 fine arts poster artist. Max Bazler was awarded as our first series lineup poster artist. We will be accepting submissions for the 2024 Poster Contest until February 2, 2024. Visit our website for submission criteria and application details.

"HARMONIES IN NATURE" The countdown to our 40th Annual Summer Performance Series began on July 11, with the unveiling of Tammy Zinke’s wining art piece “Harmonies in Nature.” Zinke's acrylic painting was inspired by William Shakespeare's quote, "The Earth has music for those who listen." In Zinke's words, "I strove to combine the musical spirit of nature with the musical spirit of the instruments played by humans. The Festival brings young and old together with the inspiration of music combined with the love of nature."

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT The Festival at Sandpoint implemented a new volunteer management system to recruit and schedule volunteers ahead of the 2023 Summer Series. This year, over 600 unique volunteers donated more than 10,000 hours of their time, spanning the course of nine performances and eight days.

Front Gate Co-Chair Tim Roscoe was awarded 2023 Volunteer of the Year. Rosco has volunteered for the Festival at Sandpoint since 2009, for a total of 15 years with the nonprofit organization, and helps manage one of the largest departments, with upwards of 60 volunteers working each night.

2023 HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED EVENT SERVICES Our Production & Education Manager, Paul Gunter, had a busy year providing event and production services and equipment rentals to the greater Sandpoint area. Services include but are not limited to sound and lighting production, design and engineering, event design and management, installations, repair, and consultation. Rental equipment is also available, including speakers, microphones, event and stage lighting, instruments, amplifiers, and more. Visit our website for more details and to submit a request for services.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION With an increased need for professional event and production services in the community, the Festival at Sandpoint is thrilled to be able to use our expertise to assist other nonprofits and businesses. Some of the local organizations and events that we assisted in 2023 include Kaniksu Land Trust, Bonner General Health’s Heart Ball, the Panida Theater, Lost in the 50s, KRFY Radio, and many more. We were also able to donate 22 tickets to local fundraising events and 78 tickets to at-risk individuals through targeted giving.

NEW STAGE Due to an aging tent and in the best interest of guest, talent, and staff safety, the Festival at Sandpoint made the necessary decision to retire the historic tent ahead of the 40th Annual Summer Performance Series. After the unexpected change, we were grateful to have been met with positive audience and artist feedback for our newer, larger stage. A silhouette of the iconic white tent was added to the new stage banners in commemoration of the tent and to celebrate our 40-year history. We have hopes of utilizing the tent material and honoring the iconic silhouette in much of what we do moving forward.

COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA The 2023 Summer Series culminated with the debut performance of the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra.

The Pacific Northwest’s newest sinfonietta was comprised of more than 60 local and regional musicians, curated by Sandpoint native Dr. Jason Moody, who also served as concertmaster. Under the baton of conductor Morihiko Nakahara, the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra performed The Princess Bride in Concert. The Grand Finale with our Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra broke ticket sale records for this historic program.

The Festival at Sandpoint’s 2023

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW FAS successfully concluded FY 2023 with a strong financial standing, attributed to the invaluable support of generous donors, numerous grants, and record-breaking ticket sales. This marks the third consecutive year of notable financial success, with our year-round team working diligently to chart our future, including the exciting possibility of a new venue. Our diverse and skilled staff contributes to efficient operations and collaborative synergy, fostering growth and innovation in various facets of our organization. We take great pride in our sustained success and eagerly look forward to further expansion, enhancing our impact on the community.

TOTAL REVENUE 63% PROGRAMS

21% FUNDRAISING

$2,376,985

3%

GRANTS

1% OTHER

TOTAL EXPENSES

77%

PROGRAMS

$2,103,196

19% ADMIN 4%

FUNDRAISING

Plans for the Future

LOOKING FORWARD While the Festival at Sandpoint has continued to host a successful performance series at War Memorial Field, we are actively seeking a permanent home better suited to our organization's needs and future growth. To assist in this endeavor, FAS partnered with two highly esteemed consulting firms to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study. This study explored the potential for a new venue that would not only enhance our production operations but also facilitate the expansion of our education programs, increasing our significant economic impact on the surrounding region. The study encompassed an analysis of our current operations at War Memorial Field, an evaluation of comparable venues in the region, and a review of outdoor amphitheaters nationwide. The insights derived from this feasibility study will serve as a valuable roadmap, guiding FAS in our longterm plan to find a new permanent home that aligns with our mission.

THE GIFT OF A NEW HOME Do you have property to donate? Your contribution could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Festival at Sandpoint, providing a permanent home for arts and culture in Sandpoint and the surrounding communities of the Inland Northwest.

If you or someone you know has property available for donation, our non-profit organization would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this potential partnership further.

SECURING OUR FUTURE We are starting an endowment fund! This fund will serve as a cornerstone for securing our future, allowing us to continue delivering exceptional performances and fostering music education opportunities in our community for generations to come. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting new chapter, including details on how you can contribute to this impactful initiative. Your support is key, and we can't wait to share more with you soon.

How To

DONATE & GIVE BACK Become a Member

Become a Sponsor

Donate Instruments

Leave a Legacy

Other Gifts

Volunteer

Have you considered leaving a legacy of music and education to your community? Legacy gifts through wills or living trusts play an impactful role in philanthropic contributions locally while helping leave a lifetime legacy for yourself and the organization.

Did you know FAS can accept donations of stocks and property? Stock transfers are a great way to support our mission without paying capital gains taxes on your gift. Property gifts can help ensure FAS's future and provides a legacy with potential tax benefits.

FAS could not exist without our hundreds of tireless volunteers. Whether you prefer volunteering at concerts by selling merchandise, keeping our venue safe and clean, or greeting at the front gate, we want to hear from you!

As a non-profit organization, we rely on our members' annual donations to support our youth music education and economic-impact mission. Become a member of the Festival at Sandpoint and be a part of bringing amazing music to our community!

Sponsor an individual show, or our entire two-week Summer Series and support local arts and music education while receiving excellent advertising opportunities and perks at the Inland Northwest’s largest concert series.

Do you have an old musical instrument, sound equipment, or accessories gathering dust? The Festival at Sandpoint will recondition it and put it in the hands of a local music student while also providing you with a potential tax deduction.

Questions on giving? Reach out to us at the contact information below.

MISSION

The Festival at Sandpoint strives to provide a rich music experience presenting a wide range of concerts in an intimate outdoor setting accessible to local and regional audiences, cultivate culture and ethnic diversity, foster a love of music through ongoing youth education programs, and stimulate economic growth for our community.

VISION Through the medium of music we will unite people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and belief systems and help our community connect, cooperate and care for each other.

MUSIC FOR ALL The Festival at Sandpoint is committed to making diversity, equity, and inclusion part of everything we do – from the music that graces our stage, to our youth music education programs, to the talent that makes up our workforce. Just like the medium of music, we strive to unite people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and belief systems and help our community connect, cooperate and care for each other. Music is for all and we are committed to leveraging our unique non-profit organization to help create positive change.

Photography by Racheal Baker and Madeleine Albertson's Yellow Goat Studio. Design by Cienna Roget.

PO Box 695, Sandpoint, ID 83864 | 208.265.4554 | www.festivalatsandpoint.com | info@festivalatsandpoint.com