2027 Fred and JoAnn Portz Community Concert
We are pleased to announce that we will be inviting members of the community to sing with the Waukesha Choral Union in our 2027 Fred and JoAnn Portz Community Concert. This year, we will perform The Armed Man: a Mass for Peace.
Already know you want to join us? Fill out this form to sign up!
A message from Artistic Director Danielle Bridges about the piece:
Written in the shadow of “the most war-torn and destructive century in human history,” Karl Jenkins’s The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace does not flinch away from the horrors of human violence. The work draws on texts from a wide array of sources, including the Catholic mass, the Muslim call to prayer, ancient Hindu poetry about the effect of war on animals, and reflections on the bombing of Hiroshima, just to name a few.
This work is challenging in every sense of the word. Though I, in my comfortable office in Milwaukee, do not feel the effects of war, they are real. When we’re tempted to look away from violence and those affected by it, The Armed Man refuses to allow it. Yet Jenkins also refuses to leave us without the hope that the bells of peace will ring out—and this work reminds us that we are the ones who must make the peace we desire.
The WCU invites you to sing this masterwork with us. We also invite you to read through the program notes for this work and the text beforehand, as some texts vividly depict the atrocities of war and may be difficult to sing. Performing this work may be a challenge, but it is a rewarding one. Let us travel the path to peace together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to audition or pay dues to participate?
Nope! There are no auditions or fees required to participate in this event! We do ask that you register through the form on our website so we know we have enough music for everyone.
When are the rehearsals?
All rehearsals through March 2 take place at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha.
- Tuesday, January 5, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday, January 12, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday, January 19, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday, January 26, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday, February 2, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday, February 9, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday, February 16, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 – 9:30 PM
- Tuesday, March 2, 7:00-9:30 PM
- Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, March 6, 1:00—3:00 PM | Shattuck Auditorium, Waukesha
- Concert: Sunday, March 7 at 3:00 PM | Shattuck Auditorium, Waukesha
- Call time at 1:30 PM
Do I have to buy music?
Scores are available either for borrowing or for purchase by community singers. Community singers are welcome to use their own scores if they have them from a previous performance.
What do I wear to the concert?
Concert dress is all black, singer-provided, and should reflect the formality of the concert. Avoid prominent jewelry, jeans, shiny or metallic materials, patterned fabrics and logos, and athletic clothing.
- Tops: black blouse or collared shirt with three-quarter length or wrist-length sleeves
- Bottoms: black dress pants or knee-length (or longer) skirt
- Dresses: must meet the requirements of tops and bottoms
- Shoes: plain black dress shoes, either heels or flats. Open-toed shoes are allowed with dark black nylons or tights. No sandals, hiking or combat boots, or sneakers.
- Watches are allowed, though watches that produce any kind of sound must be silenced.
Do you have other questions? Let us know! Email membership@choralunion.org.
Some History Behind the Fred and JoAnn Portz Community Concert
For over 40 years, the Waukesha Choral Union has had the pleasure of presenting the Fred & JoAnn Portz Community Concert series. The tradition began with our annual performance of Handel's Messiah at Carroll University and, over time, the event evolved to include other major works, such as Haydn's Creation, Brahms's Requiem, Mozart's Requiem and Faure's Requiem. These large-scale works feature choir, orchestra, and soloists.
The choir includes both Waukesha Choral Union members and volunteer community singers. Anyone in the community wishing to participate is welcome with no audition or dues required. And—no ticket fees are charged for admission to the concert!
This concert series is truly a work of community, from the volunteer singers who join forces with the WCU to the generous support of local businesses, foundations, and benefactors who make the event possible. Before their passing, former WCU singers Fred and JoAnn Portz played a vital role in funding this endeavor, helping ensure its lasting legacy in the Waukesha area.
Year after year, we are honored to share a high-quality artistic experience with our community, celebrating the joy of music and ensuring that the arts remain accessible to all.
A Tribute to The Portz Family...
JoAnn passed away on July 13, 2013, preceded in death on September 3, 2010, by her husband, Fred. The Waukesha couple played an integral role in Waukesha Choral Union’s artistic and financial success. In fact, it is because of their generosity that you are able to enjoy this gift to the community year after year. Please learn more about this wonderful gift from an extraordinary couple as described by Tom Custis, WCU’s former president:
The Couple Behind “Handel’s Messiah” and “Creation”
In the early years of the Waukesha Choral Union, an idea was hatched to put on a community concert. The chorus was to perform “Handel’s Messiah” and admission would be free. Artistically, it would be desirable to have professional soloists, as well as professional orchestral accompaniment.
But that would take money. Fred Portz, an erstwhile bass in the chorus, quickly became its champion. He personally accepted responsibility for providing and raising funds to make this happen. Early on, the tradition was expanded to include an invitation to all singers within the community to join in the uplifting experience of performing this wonderful work. Many years later, in order to provide some variety, it was decided that “Haydn’s Creation” could be performed as an alternative.
Throughout, the traditions of free admission, inclusion of community singers, and presentation at the highest artistic level were continued; and Fred’s support never faltered. Fred’s wife, JoAnn, was also in the Choral Union, and joined Fred in the active support of this annual project. When Fred passed away, JoAnn continued supporting the project with her voice and her financial support.
It is no overstatement to say that we would not be here today enjoying one of the world’s great musical accomplishments, were it not for Fred and JoAnn Portz. It is for that reason that the Board of Directors of the Waukesha Choral Union has voted to designate this annual event the Fred and JoAnn Portz Community Concert. We hope that you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoy performing it; all with the fondest of memories of our friends Fred and JoAnn.
Tom Custis
Waukesha Choral Union President, 2007 - 2013