Seagle Music Colony moves beyond summer-only program

By ROBIN CAUDELL
Staff Writer

February 14, 2008 04:00 am

— SCHROON LAKE -- The Seagle Music Colony's move from a summer-only program to a full-time resident company expands the vision of the oldest summer vocal-training program in the nation.
It is also a nod to Schroon Lake, where world-renowned baritone Oscar Seagle founded the colony in 1915.
"What it means is we will be able to focus our efforts in the community throughout the year rather than just being present in the summer," said Tony Kostecki, general director. "We have a very active working Board of Directors. Many are full-year residents here. It is making a commitment not only to the company and its continued growth but to the community as well."
COMMITTED CONTRIBUTORS
Under the 12-year tenure of the previous director, Darren K. Woods, the vocal training and opera/musical theater performance company experienced growth in repute and budget. Hence, the need for a full-time director. Enter Kostecki, who assumed his newest Seagle role in January. Over the past 12 years, he served as coach/accompanist and conductor and then, general manager.
His new duties include oversight of all the company's business operations as well as management of the staff and young artists in the summer residency. The company's general operating budget is $450,000 annually. Thirty percent arises from ticket sales through summer productions. Twenty percent is realized from the young artists' tuition. The remainder is raised through individual and corporate donations.
"We had to commit to a full-time salary, which is a significant increase from what we've been doing in the past. Our employees previously were part-time without benefits. We had to come up with a benefits package."
Office space was an in-kind donation.
"We're really lucky. The community in Schroon Lake has helped us a lot."
Still, the "r" word, recession, looms.
"It makes everybody nervous. The people we're relying on in contributions, their income, their budget is much tighter for all kinds of philanthropic work. We have some momentum and good growth. We have enough committed contributors to help us go."
A SELECT PROGRAM
In 2015, the colony celebrates its centennial.
"We're trying to put together some long-range plans to make something happen around that time. We're considering some kind of endowment project as well to commemorate those 100 years."
Each year, more than 500 applicants vie for the opportunity to attend the colony. Only 32 are selected. Over the past decade, the colony has grown from two productions and eight performances each summer to six full productions and more than 35 performances. Most artists are segueing between their formal education and professional careers. Artists submit audios of their performances and are given live auditions.
"The decisions are made by Darren, who is the artist director, and myself. It's a pretty select kind of program. The good thing about us is if you don't do well one year, you can always come back."
There are between five and 10 similar summer programs in the country.
"Of course, I have a biased opinion, but I think ours is one of the best, if not the best. We have some credibility to back us. Classical Singer Magazine,' the national service magazine for singers, has rated us among the best for several years."
QUEEN'S FAVORITE
The colony's pedigree hails back to the great Polish tenor, Jean de Reske, who was Seagle's teacher, a Metropolitan Opera star and Queen Victoria's favorite singer. After Seagle's summer residency, many of his students followed him to the de Reszke-Seagle School in Nice, France.
Sean Panikkar, who attended the colony during the summer of 2002, debuts at the Metropolitan Opera this season.
"We plan to tout our success," Kostecki said. "We're trying to tap into that New York City arts market. We're having a little reception next month.
"Sean will be there to sing and be an example of what we do and how it helps build the careers of young singers."
rcaudell@pressrepublican.com

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