U. S. Venture to fund choral/orchestral masterworks
The Fox Valley Symphony and newVoices choir announce that the U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation has granted $40,000 to fund a series of choral/orchestral masterworks. The U.S. Venture Masterwork Series will be a four-year commitment to present a collaboration of major works composed by renowned artists. This is the first time a multi-year collaboration of this nature has been undertaken by both organizations and the first major arts donation made by the U.S. Venture / Schmidt Family Foundation.The series will begin with a live presentation of Ralph Vaughan William’s Sea Symphony as the culmination of the Fox Valley Symphony’s 50th anniversary season. Singers from newVoices will perform with the Symphony in this masterwork on May 6, 2017 at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Collaborative concerts will be scheduled for the ensuing three seasons for each group.In awarding the grant, the U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation requested it be made in recognition of the volunteer work done by Mary Harp-Jirschele for both organizations. Harp-Jirschele served on the Symphony’s board of directors and has been a patron and member of the advisory council for newVoices. In 2009, she was the recipient of the Hanns Kretzschmar Award for Excellence in the Arts at the annual Celebrating our Volunteers event.“The Masterworks Series is an opportunity to enhance the arts and culture of the Fox Cities,” said Greg Vandenberg, director of giving and community engagement for U.S. Venture. “The Fox Valley Region has been so good to U.S. Venture. We felt this was an area we could invest in so our community continues to attract and retain top talent. We are also thrilled this will expose these great works to new audiences, especially children. We know the benefits music can bring to the development of young minds and there are some kids who are unable to experience these types of opportunities.”“We are thrilled by this investment in the arts,” said Jeff Amstutz, board president of the Fox Valley Symphony. “The arts are an integral part of a healthy culture, economy and community and this initiative will be instrumental in bringing a new musical experience to the region.”“This collaboration will give life to classics that were meant to be heard and enjoyed in live performance,” said Jenna Stone, board president of newVoices. “Music connects us in powerful ways and a masterwork series will allow our organizations to share universal themes with the community.”As part of the project, both organizations are working together to identify educational and participation opportunities for underserved youth. The Fox Valley Symphony’s Conductor, Brian Groner, and newVoices Artistic Director Phillip Swan are identifying future masterworks to present to the community.
