THE ACCEL STRING QUARTET PRESENTS

REFLECTIONS IN NOVEMBER CONCERT

An evening of classical and popular works

SPONSORSHIP PROPOSAL

Prepared June 17th, 2019

REFLECTIONS IN NOVEMBER

November 17th 2019 @ 5pm

Mona Church of the Ascension

ABOUT THE EVENT

The recently founded Accel String Quartet is currently in preparation to hold our first concert,
Reflections in November, comprised of a series of classical works and popular hits from singers such
as Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé, in addition to well-known favourites from local icons. Our aim is to be
the first group to perform a full classical quartet piece in Jamaica in recent memory. This concert is
intended to breathe life into the classical genre on Jamaican shores, via the exposure of the quartet
who aims to spread the inspiration of music to a wider audience.

We noticed that the classical genre was seriously lacking exposure in Jamaica, so we decided earlier
this year to come together to form this quartet to be one of the representatives in Jamaica, and this
recital is the marquee event to express our talents and make known to the general public that we
are here to keep classical music in the public domain by providing a fresh new aspect to it.

If successful, we hope to make this event an annual occurrence, and perhaps expand by reaching out
to guest performers and inviting several not-for profit groups and charitable organisations to be in
attendance. It is expected that as many as 200 people will be in attendance to witness this fine
assortment of classical works.

Picture of Mona Church of the Ascension obtained by Google Search

 OUR PREVIOUS APPEARANCES

The quartet made its debut appearance at the Inspired Concert in April 2019 hosted by the KaDon
Music Academy. Over 100 people were in attendance to see the group perform the second
movement of Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1 as well as an arrangement of Ed Sheeran’s Perfect
done by group member Gabriel Walters, and also Libertango composed by Astor Piazolla. In a
second concert appearance took place on Father’s Day as part of the Classics in June in concert,
where the quartet performed to a crowd of over 250 at the University Chapel in Kingston, Jamaica.

The group performing at the Inspired concert, and an image of The University Chapel obtained by
Google Search.

Inspired Concert and Classics in June 2019.

 ABOUT THE GROUP

The Accel String Quartet was founded in January 2019. It is one of the premiere chamber groups in
Jamaica and aims to spread music of varying genres throughout Jamaica and eventually at the
international level. The group performs regularly in concerts, weddings and corporate events. Music
for the group is also arranged and composed by members Gabriel Walters and Kamoy Gordon.

The quartet has key partnerships with the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica (NYOJ), an
organisation for social change through music and where three of the members learned their craft,
and also with the United Nations Association of Jamaica, whose aim is to uphold the values and
beliefs of the United Nations as well as to partake in helping the nation to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals. All three groups have focused their efforts towards the educational systems and
have the aim of improving the cultural landscape of the nation.

You can learn more about our group via our website and social media platforms:

www.accelstringquartet.bookmark.com

Email: bookings.accelsq@gmail.com

Instagram: @accel_stringquartet_ja

Facebook.com/accelstringquartet
 OUR MEMBERS

Gabriel Walters, Violin

Gabriel has been playing the violin since the age of 7. Since
then, he has achieved many accomplishments on the
instrument, such as an ATCL performance Diploma from the
Trinity College London, the concertmaster of the University of
the West Indies Classical and Jazz Ensemble (UWI CAJE) and
the Associate Concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra of
Jamaica. He has toured internationally to countries such as the
Dominican Republic, the United States, UK and Canada, as part
of orchestras such as the Orchestra of the Americas, L'
Orchestre de la Francophonie, and also as a soloist.
He studied with and has had master classes with the likes of Steven Woodham,
Paulette Bellamy, Peter Ashbourne, Alexandre da Costa, as well as members of the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lynn Conservatory.
He has performed under the baton of Carlos Miguel Prieto, Rafael Payare, Raul
Gomez, Arturo Marquez, Daniel Myssyk and Simon Rivard among others, and has
worked with top international musicians such as Leon Spierer, Jose Aurellio Castillo,
Daniel Phillips, James Ehnes, Helene Collerette, Kerson Leong among others
He teaches privately and as a part of the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica. In his
spare time he enjoys playing tennis, chess, cycling, exploring nature and virtual city
building.

Kamoy Gordon, Violin

"Growing up I always knew that I had a passion and a love for

music" Kamoy shared. Kamoy Gordon (born on June 19, 1998 in
Kingston) is a Jamaica classical, pop and reggae violinist.
Gordon started off in music after he became a member and lead
singer of the junior choir at his church when he was 8 years old.
Gordon later taught himself how to play the drum set at his
church and after 1 year became the drummer at his church after
taking collecting the baton from the previous drummer. At age 12
after playing the drum set for 3 years, Gordon then developed an
interest in the keyboard and began working with Jehu Billet.

In 2012 while attending Kingston College, Gordon became a member of the National
Youth Orchestra of Jamaica after receiving an invitation from a classmate. Gordon
who had no previous knowledge of the classical world of instrument, became
interested in the violin after seeing it for the first time. Through the NYOJ program
Gordon received lessons from the greatest violinists in Jamaica; Paulette Bellamy,
Peter Ashbourne and Darren Young.
In 2014 Gordon received training from The Youth Orchestra of the Americas during a
visit by its members. In August of 2014 He was 1 of 25 members of The National
Youth Orchestra of Jamaica who were selected to tour Toronto, Montreal and
Ottawa in Canada. After returning from that tour Gordon became member of the
Edna Manley String Ensemble which is currently the Edna Manley Community
Orchestra.
In 2016, Gordon received The Seth MacFarlane Scholarship to attend the Luzerne
Music Center in the Adirondacks, New York. He received classical music training for
1 month under the instructions of LMC's world renowned faculty members with Laura
Manko being his main coach. Gordon was inspired by what he experienced in New
York and it was at this time that he decided that he would venture into Pop, Reggae
and Jazz Performance.

Kamoy Gordon is the owner, founder and director of the KaDon Music Academy is
Kingston, Jamaica. This institution started operations in January of 2017 and has so
far influenced the lives of over 70 students. KaDon Music Academy offers one on
one personalised and goal-oriented music lessons for 10 instruments and music
theory. Gordon currently manages a team of 9 instructors.

Alex Lawson, Viola

Alex Lawson is a 19 year old violist from

Kingston, Jamaica. Unlike most classical
musicians, his journey began relatively late at
the age of 14 with the piano, before he switched
to violin before deciding on the viola. He credits
his love of classical music to a performance of
the third movement of Beethoven's Moonlight
Sonata by Daniel Barenboim. He was
immediately transfixed and adopted the motto that if he [Barenboim] could do it then
so could Alex. From then on music became a part of who he was.

He is a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica as well as the

Philharmonic Orchestra of Jamaica, and an honorary member of the Immaculate
Conception High School Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed abroad,
taking part in the Luzerne Summer Music Festival held in New York for two years.

His teachers include the likes of Steven Woodham, Paulette Bellamy, Peter
Ashbourne and Darren Young. He has had masterclasses with Sovon Kim, and CJ
Chang, Principal Violist with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Devoy Ellis, Cello

Devoy Ellis is an 18 year old cellist from Kingston,

Jamaica. He started learning at the age of 13 with the
National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica. Avery White, who
was a volunteer from the US first introduced him to
cello, after which Allistair Petrie became his instructor.
He has always been a lover of music and diverse
cultures and states his journey into the classical word is
not by chance but by destiny. Playing with orchestra
helped him to learn to work with others and to create
soothing music. His first performances outside of
Jamaica took place as part of the NYOJ's Dream Tour
to Canada, where they played in Montreal, Toronto and
Ottawa. This significantly improved his skills and was a
life changer for him. In 2016, he was also awarded a
scholarship to attend the Luzerne summer festival in New York, where he interacted
with young musicians from all over the world and received lessons from world
renowned artists. He took part in chamber group workshops and has performed
under the baton of the likes of Maxim Eshkenazy and Gustavo Dudamel

He is now the the Principal Cellist of the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica as well
as the Edna Manley Community Orchestra, and is a member of the Philharmonic
Orchestra of Jamaica and the UWI Classical and Jazz Ensemble.
 OUR BUDGET

We are hoping to obtain a total sponsorship amount of $150,000JMD. This is to cover preparatory
expenses for organising and present the concert such as Security, printing, advertising, venue
preparation, catering and the purchasing of equipment necessary for the group presently and also
for future events, such as music stands and microphones. Additional revenue is expected to be
obtained from the ticket purchases of about 200 patrons which will go towards venue rental fees as
well as the payment of stipends to collaborative artistes.

Our budget is illustrated as follows:

1 SITE FEES

SITE FEES EXPECTED

Venue Rental 50,000.00
Lighting 10,000.00
Sound 40,000.00
Staff 60,000.00
Total 160,000.00

These are costs associated with the venue of the event, The Mona Church of the Ascension. The
rental fees and a portion of the staff costs will be paid from the income associated with gate
receipts. The staff that will be paid include those who are collecting tickets, caterers, stage managers
and caretakers. The other portion of staff costs is from security costs for the venue, which more than
likely will have to be paid in advance of the event. It is expected that sponsorship income will be
used to cover this expense. Lighting and sound costs represent the average quote that was obtained
by the group, however due to the nature and acoustics of the venue, these costs may not become
necessary.

2 EVENT COSTS

PROGRAM EXPECTED
Performers 100,000.00
MC 10,000.00
PHOTOGRAPHER 10,000.00
Piano Tuner 25,000.00
Total 145,000.00

These are the costs associated with the event itself. All costs except for the Piano tuner are expected
to be covered from the income received through gate revenue. Performers such as the potential
guest artistes and collaborative pianist will need to receive a stipend for their dedication and
sacrifice for this event, as well as the Master of Ceremonies. A photographer will be hired to provide
memories of this monumental occasion, and to be used in future material produced by the group.
3 EVENT PUBLICITY

PUBLICITY EXPECTED
Graphics Work 3,000.00
Advertising 6,000.00
Flyers 3,000.00
Programs 26,000.00
Brochures 7,000.00
Business Cards 2,000.00
Tickets 5,000.00
Total 52,000.00

These are the costs associated with event publicity and documentation, such as the printing of
tickets and concert programs. A modest amount has been allocated towards advertising as it is
expected that the bulk of the group’s marketing strategy will be driven through social media posts
and Facebook ads, as well as through press releases. This will be accounted for through out of
pocket finances. However, it is hoped that income from sponsorships will be used to provide for the
printing needs of the event. Brochures will provide more information about the group and its
sponsors to patrons who will be attending the recital.

4 EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES EXPECTED

Printing 10,000.00
Folders and Music 10,000.00
Stands 20,000.00
Pic-Up Mics 10,000.00
Total 50,000.00

These are costs associated with the running of the String Quartet itself. It is hoped that sponsorship
income will cover costs required before the event begins, such as the printing of music and
acquisition of folders and music stands, and that gate revenue will cover the remainder of
equipment that will be used at future events, such as pic-up mics and more music.

5 REFRESHMENTS

REFRESHMENTS EXPECTED
Food 7,500.00
Drinks 10,000.00
Total 17,500.00

This is a breakdown of the finances associated with refreshments. These will be provided to the
performers with beverages also being served to patrons on a first come first serve basis at no
additional cost to them. It is hoped that these will be covered either by a donation, food vouchers or
financial contribution.
We have come a long way, but we still need your support. Your generous contribution will help us to
bring classical music to a wider audience by providing the funds necessary to assist in the production
of this event.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

This is just a guideline as to the benefits associated with different levels of contribution. However,
any from of financial assistance will be greatly appreciated as will help this event to become a
reality.

BASIC $10,000 GOLD $25,000 PLATINUM $50,000

5 Free Tickets 10 Free Tickets 25 Free Tickets
Logo in program Half page ad and logo in 1 page ad and logo in program
program
Mention of sponsor in the Logo in brochure Feature in brochure
event
Mention of sponsor in the Speaking segment in the event
event
Logo on the website
Mention of sponsor in the
event

Thank you for taking the time out to review this document and considering our case, we really
appreciate it! Looking forward to hearing from you.