Friends of Wisconsin Singers, INC.
ANNUAL
REPORT
2022-2023
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings! I hope this finds you in good health and high spirits. We are thrilled to announce that the Friends of Wisconsin Singers exceeded its $128,000 fundraising goal in support of the 55th season of the Wisconsin Singers. In total, we had:
427 unique donors
758 financial gifts
$135,820 in total donations, our highest number ever!
This generosity enabled the Wisconsin Singers program to continue making a difference for its students, audiences, and communities across the country.
The efforts of Friends of Wisconsin Singers resulted in the ability to:
Employ 7 music professionals including music educators (vocal and instrumental directors) arrangers (to create a unique show for our collegiates), and artists in residence (choreographers). Learn more about these dedicated music industry professionals.
Underwrite free performance workshops in 16 communities for youth grades 6-12
Provide coaching and mentorship for 10 University of Wisconsin student interns in a real world, hands-on experience specific to entertainment marketing, public relations, social media, and project management
Fund scholarship dollars for 38 Wisconsin Singers students
Fund the entirety of the Wisconsin Singers operational budget
Secure a Creation and Presentation Grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board.
It wouldn't be possible for the Wisconsin Singers to have its positive impact through Broadway- quality performances across the great state of Wisconsin and beyond without each and every one of our donors. If you are a donor – THANK YOU. If you are new to Wisconsin Singers, we hope you join Friends in support of this exceptional collegiate arts program.
Furthermore, I am also delighted to share two more pieces of exciting news with you...
First, after several years of planning and collaboration, the Friends of Wisconsin Singers has entered into an exciting partnership with the Wisconsin Union Division of Student Affairs, who will provide us with a secure home on the UW campus and help us raise awareness about the Singers throughout the state. Friends of Wisconsin Singers fundraising goals remain largely unchanged. We are confident that the generosity of our alumni, fans, and friends will carry the Wisconsin Singers legacy through the next 50+ years.
Second, I would like to announce that in June 2023, Friends of Wisconsin Singers elected a new President of the Executive Board, Wisconsin Singers alumnus, Bryce Hackman. Since joining the board in 2021, Bryce's organizational skills, work ethic and thoughtful leadership made him the perfect candidate to lead the Board. I'm thrilled to pass the mantle on to a friend and fellow Singers alumnus, extremely thankful for my own opportunity to serve the program over the last 3 years, and eager to continue my support of the program in other ways.
We can't wait to see you at an upcoming show during the Wisconsin Singers 56th season!
Cheers,
Jon Hanson
2022-2023 Friends of Wisconsin Singers: Executive Board President
Wisconsin Singers Alumnus 2004 -2007
Audience Impact
Audiences loved the show!
Audiences loved the show!
“Attended your Waunakee High School performance last Saturday. Fantastic show that far exceeded my expectations. This young talented group of students delivered an extraordinary professional level performance. Thank you for a most entertaining and enjoyable evening.”
Les Howles and Family
“ The actual performance was even more fun than a Broadway show. The talent, energy, vitality, joy and professionalism of the performers astonished all of us. Very impressive! You ended the event on a high note and sent everyone home with hope and a smile.” - Tashia Morgridge, Discovery Building private performance 2023
“We thoroughly enjoyed the Wisconsin Singers....and in our 17 years as residents of The Villages, we've never missed a performance date. We have been to many New York Broadway musicals, but the students are just as talented! We really admire their energy and the hard work they have put into this.” - Ron and Susanne Cooney, The Villages 2023
A word from
…the Executive Producer of Wisconsin Singers - Abby Pritzl
It was a pleasure to serve as the Executive Producer of Wisconsin Singers this past year. Our 55th season was a successful one and while we celebrate all of the accomplishments of the Wisconsin Singers program, we recognize that these achievements would not have been possible without the steadfast support from Friends of Wisconsin Singers donors and volunteers. Friends of Wisconsin Singers has been instrumental in propelling Wisconsin Singers forward since 1994 and continues to enable the program to have a meaningful impact in the arts and communities throughout the state and nation. We are immensely grateful for their continued dedication.
Throughout the 22-23 season, the Wisconsin Singers program saw tremendous growth and accomplishments:
Artistic and Entertainment Management Excellence: A team of 7 artists and educators provided training for 31 UW Madison students who come from 38 different majors across our campus, but are drawn to Singers by their passion for the vocal, dance, and instrumental art forms. Receiving this level of artistic instruction and performance opportunity in the collegiate space is a rare opportunity, especially for non-performance majors.
Our team of 10 student interns were coached by business experts in graphic arts, marketing, project management, and public relations, receiving a hands-on entertainment business opportunity in a fast-paced real-world environment. Together, our performers and interns produced a touring show that was well-received by audiences and sponsors alike and led to 75% of tour locations immediately rebooking for the 56th season!
Community Impact: Beyond the stage, the program engaged and enriched more than 27 communities. Five of these communities had populations of less than 5,000 that might not have the opportunity to host a touring production of professional quality in their communities were it not for the affordability of the program. The financial generosity of donors along with the entertainment business expertise of the Friends of Wisconsin Singers Board of Directors allowed us to partner with 7 local organizations, assuming the financial risk of a concert sponsorship and effectively providing a Wisconsin Singers experience for their audiences and students despite their own limited funds.
As part of our mission to serve Wisconsin communities, our students conducted free workshops for over 1,000 students and provided the opportunity for grade school through high school ensembles to share the stage with Wisconsin Singers. Guest groups included the Boys and Girls Club of Wausau, Treehouse Theater-Manitowoc, Good Old Acappella-Beaver Dam, DeFortes Show Choir-DeForest, Kee Notes-Waunakee, Momentum Show Choirs-Plymouth, Wisco Kids Show Choir-Wisconsin Lutheran High School, and many others.
Future Plans: Looking ahead, we are excited to continue to increase our presence around the state and Midwest. Through further collaboration with UW-Madison campus leadership and Student Affairs programming, we look to inspire the next generation of Badgers who value service, performing arts and backstage management, and a higher education experience second to none!
We are honored to have Friends of Wisconsin Singers as a valued partner on this incredible journey of representing the Wisconsin Idea unlike any other.
Sincerely,
Abby Pritzl
Executive Producer: Wisconsin Singers
Wisconsin Singers Alumna: 2011-2014
Student Impact
Students weigh in...
Students weigh in...
22-23 Performers and Theater Technicians
Lauren Meyer, 22-23 Company Manager
“Serving as a Company Manager for Wisconsin Singers has helped me develop management skills and confidence as a peer leader. I have become accustomed to working in a fast-paced professional setting as this student staff position requires the ability to problem solve and to make quick judgement calls keeping the best interest of the program at the forefront of my vision. As an future physician, I know these skills will be important in providing the best possible care to my patients. Wisconsin Singers has defined my college experience, and the lessons I gained will be ones I carry with me for the rest of my life.”
22-23 Business Intern Team
Luke Franda, 22-23 WS Business Team/Project Manager
“My time as a Project Manager has been extremely impactful. Working with high schools across the state to organize, fundraise and promote a successful live entertainment Wisconsin Singers event has proven to be a real-world, hands-on experience learning skills that will be relevant in my future teaching career. These skills include:
- how to recruit, manage, and motivate adult and student volunteers
- how to fundraise using ties to local community values and effective persuasive strategies
- how to create and facilitate a project timeline
- how to communicate effectively, execute timely follow ups, and hold volunteers accountable for outcomes
Being a part of the Wisconsin Singers has given me a once in a lifetime foot-in-the-door connection with many Wisconsin schools, ones who value giving their students and communities enriching experiences – just the kind of school I’d like to teach at some day.
Our financials
22-23 Year End Financial Review
Christopher Novotny
Director of Business Operations
Wisconsin Singers Alumnus 1993 – 1997
The 55th anniversary season of the Wisconsin Singers is now complete, and by all accounts it was a fantastic year. The show was very well received across the state, and although we needed to dip slightly into our financial reserves this year, we were able to continue to build a strong and growing foundation for the program, investing in equipment and infrastructure that will serve us for years to come.
The Wisconsin Singers was not immune to rising costs across the board due to inflation and the overall economic environment, most notably in our transportation costs which rose as much as 40% for some of our sponsoring communities. Not only do those increased expenses directly impact our budget, but they also provide increased pressure on getting the show booked, due to higher overall sponsorship fees. We will need to continue to manage this new cost structure to hold – and grow – our customer base over the coming years.
Our donations and in-kind support remain substantial and the foundation of the Singers program. This is due in large part to the efforts of our Development Committee, and of course, all the alumni, friends, and fans who continue to graciously support this program through their dollars.
As we look to the future, we have chosen to enter into a new partnership as a departmentally sponsored program of the Wisconsin Union. To that end, the Friends of Wisconsin Singers will be shifting its focus to more of a development, advising, and support organization, while the Union takes over much of the day-to-day accounting and administrative processes. Friends of Wisconsin Singers will still retain all of the Wisconsin Singers assets (equipment, costumes, props, etc.), and will continue to co-sponsor and underwrite all of our Singers Partnered Show events. We plan to be very active in assisting the Union with the promotion and management of the program as we hold true to our programmatic mission and core values. In addition, Friends of Wisconsin Singers will remain responsible for funding of all programmatic expenses. We are excited to see how, together with the Union, we can find new opportunities and resources to grow the financial stability of the Wisconsin Singers for years to come!
The future is very exciting as we start this new chapter for the WI Singers program in our upcoming season, and we look forward to exploring how both the Wisconsin Singers and the Union can leverage our new partnership.
ON WISCONSIN!
