Community Singers!
The Waukesha Choral Union, in collaboration with Carroll University, invites community singers to join its February 23, 2025 performance of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem. Singers are expected to attend all rehearsals and prepare for the concert using provided practice tracks and pronunciation guides. Experience singing in Latin is a plus, but not required!
There is no fee to participate and scores will be provided, though freewill donations in support of this event are
appreciated.
Schedule:
- Tuesday, January 7th, 7:00 – 9:30 PM (Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Waukesha)
- Tuesday, January 14th, 7:00 – 9:30 PM (Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Waukesha)
- Tuesday, January 21st, 7:00 – 9:30 PM (Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Waukesha)
- Tuesday, January 28th, 7:00 – 9:30 PM (Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Waukesha)
- Tuesday, February 4th, 7:00 – 9:30 PM (Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Waukesha)
- Tuesday, February 11th, 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Humphrey Memorial Chapel at Carroll University)
- Tuesday, February 18th, 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Humphrey Memorial Chapel at Carroll University)
- Dress Rehearsal: Friday, February 21st , 6:30 – 8:30 PM (Humphrey Memorial Chapel at Carroll University)
- Concert: Sunday, February 23rd at 3:00 PM (Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University)
Call time at 2:00 PM
Scores:
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, but the edition used must be the Oxford edition edited by John Rutter.
Dress Code:
- 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.
Contact
Tonya Drifka, Membership Chair: membership@choralunion.org
The community concert is a legacy of two long-time members of the Choral Union, Fred & JoAnn Portz. They knew the value of music within the community. Your participation is free. The cost is your time, energy and voice. You'll get an amazing return on your investment. Our community singer event for the 2024/2025 season will include a concert in February of 2025, singing the Faure Requiem. More details coming the week of December 16!
Some History Behind the Fred and JoAnn Portz Community Concert
Waukesha Choral Union has had the pleasure of offering this community concert for over 40 years. This Choral Union tradition began with the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah at Carroll University. As the endeavor evolved, the Messiah was offered in a rotation with Haydn’s Creation. Since Michael Chapel joined the Choral Union as Artistic Director in 2015, The Messiah is in a rotation with other large works such as Brahms Requiem (2017) and Mozart Requiem (2019). Typically these pieces are comprised of choir, orchestra, and soloists. The choir is made up of Waukesha Choral Union members and volunteer community singers. Community singers interested in joining the performance must attend three rehearsals, but they do not need to audition. This grand community presentation is supported by area businesses, foundations, and benefactors, as well as through generous donations from patrons. Before their deaths, former WCU singers Fred and JoAnn Portz were instrumental in funding this community endeavor for now and the future. Year after year we are thrilled to present a high quality arts presentation to the community to continue the presence of arts in the community and to ensure access for 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. Even now that they have both passed away, the Choral Union continues to receive financial support in their memory.
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