The Creative Coast’s blogspot is Savannah’s sounding board for local thinkers, innovators, wanderers and wonderers. Guest bloggers share their thoughts, opinions and creative noodling from all over the map. This week’s blog is from Roger Moss, co-founder and artistic director of The Savannah Children’s Choir.  Follow Roger’s notes below to hear you can make every year an exceptional year….  

ex•cep•tion•al

adj.

1. Being an exception; uncommon.

2. Well above average; extraordinary.

Three years ago the Savannah Children’s Choir was honored to have Keith Miller, a bass from the Metropolitan Opera, as our Artist in Residence. During his first session with our children, Keith made the statement that getting “100 is just the beginning.” This statement should make all arts organizations pause and reflect.

In other words, getting the notes played perfectly, with the correct inflections, tone, etc., is just the beginning. What will get audiences back and excited is when your organization is exceptional.

What is exceptional about your art? What is beyond “100’?

Why would or should audiences get excited about your art?

Have you really discovered your “voice”?

If you are an arts organization, what stands out about your work?

Let’s talk about donors. Face it; many of us are chasing the same donors. Imagine the new donors we could attract if we were extraordinary.

What if our fundraisers were extraordinary? What if we stopped borrowing from other organizations and found the extraordinary event that is an extension of our mission and our brand?

In 2012, let’s strive to be well above “100”.

Let’s be exceptional!!!!

Roger