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2009/2010: A Season Worth Savoring

Feed Your Soul with the Nourishment only Music Can Provide
“Oh Night When Christ Was Born” – Friday, December 11 , 2009 and Saturday, December 12, 2009 at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Wauwatosa.

“A Better World” – Friday, April 9, 2010 and Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Schwan Hall in Wauwatosa.

Advance tickets purchased through the website or choir members are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. Tickets at the door are $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students.

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Choristers End Year with Financial Deficit

The Choristers (www.milwaukeechoristers.org) recorded a $10,120 deficit for the year ending July 31, 2009, according to a recently completed financial report.

“We’re a very frugal organization and, though we’ve experienced deficits before, this kind of negative number is uncharacteristic of the Choristers,” said President Kathleen Estlund, an alto who has been an active member of the chorus since 1969.

Estlund cited special circumstances that contributed to the large deficit. “During the 2008/2009 fiscal year, we commissioned and paid for choral works by three noted composers in honor of our 75th anniversary. Those compositions are now part of the choral literature and will forever be identified with The Milwaukee Choristers.

“We introduced those works at two special concerts last Fall – one in Milwaukee and one in Detroit, Michigan — with the Brazeal Dennard Chorale of Detroit. The time and effort involved in preparing for this special collaboration made it impractical to hold our annual fund raising gala, thus depriving us of a significant source of income.

“Though the financial impact was significant, we are very proud of the artistic risk we took in 2008 and we will continue to take on the musical challenges that make us one of Milwaukee’s oldest and most respected performing arts organizations. Another example of that was our decision to bring the world renowned King’s Singers to Milwaukee in 2006.”

Estlund noted that ticket sales from the Choristers’ five concert performances during the 2008/2009 fiscal year accounted for only about one-third of chorus income. The remainder came from corporate and foundation financial support; individual contributions to the Choristers, fund-raising activities separate from our fund-raising gala; and dues paid by the singers, who audition to become members.

“We know that we can continue to count on the generosity of our loyal supporters,” said Estlund, “and are grateful for that. We invite others to come hear us sing and learn why ours is an arts organization deserving of support.”