Many sang the blues in 2020, but Lumedia Musicworks rejoiced. The Dallas-based nonprofit committed to performing and sharing early music – composed before 1750 – recorded its best year in 2020, both in donations and attendance.
Lumedia raised nearly $45,000 in 2020 and the first few days of 2021. It also recorded its largest single attendance with more than 400 ticket registrations for the cowboys-and-poetry-themed “Welcome the West,” which debuted in November and received two encore showings because the multimedia concert event filmed in Stephenville and Celina proved so popular.
“Like so many nonprofits, Lumedia had to scramble to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic. We made the quick decision to offer the entire 2020-21 season online, which allows Lumedia to attract audiences from as far away as Australia and South Africa,” said soprano Julianna Emanski of Frisco, Lumedia’s artistic director. “We miss performing the music live in small venues – the way it’s meant to be performed – but we are confident we will play music live again soon.”
Lumedia was launched in 2017 by Emanski, Christopher Phillpott of Dallas and Stephanie Noori of Westworth Village, music director. The core ensemble includes Texas-based singers and instrumentalists. Trained in historically informed music practices, the musicians use instruments made to look and sound like those played before 1750. Season events combine music and video to heighten the experience for modern audiences.
Corporate donations and grants from organizations such as Frisco Arts, which gave $3,375, and The Arts Community Alliance, which donated a total of $13,500 in 2020, helped Lumedia. However, more than $27,000 received from individuals worldwide made the biggest impact.
“Audiences and donors have been so kind through the years, but they really kept us going in 2020,” Emanski said. “We support the community with free tickets for students and other fun educational offerings, and it’s heartwarming to receive so much support from fans – especially so many first-time listeners.”
The biggest support in 2020 came from individual donors in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
“We are growing, and we will be back performing live soon,” Emanski said. “We still have half of our season to go and will announce additions to the schedule soon, so we need more financial support.”
To thank the public, Lumedia recently lowered ticket prices from $12 to $10 for the rest of the season and student tickets continue to be offered at no charge. In addition, Lumedia offers “Welcome to the West” the entire season.
“We are searching for venues throughout Dallas-Fort Worth for the 2021-22 season,” Emanski said.
Donations to Lumedia are welcome. https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/Njk5OTU.