Friends of Wisconsin Singers, INC.
ANNUAL
REPORT
2023-2024
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings! I'm pleased to share that the Friends of Wisconsin Singers (FoWS) has once again fulfilled our mission, supporting the 56th season of Wisconsin Singers. Thanks to the generosity of 407 donors, we exceeded our $138,000 fundraising goal.
These contributions specifically resulted in the ability to:
Employ seven music professionals, including vocal and instrumental directors, arrangers, and choreographers Underwrite free performance workshops in 16 communities for youth grades 6-12
Provide coaching and mentorship for eight University of Wisconsin student interns in entertainment marketing, public relations, social media, and project management
Fund scholarships for 38 Wisconsin Singers students
Cover the Wisconsin Singers operational budget not already covered by concert-generated revenue
Secure a Creation and Presentation Grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board
It’s because of you—our Friends—that the Wisconsin Singers program has been able to inspire countless students, audiences, and communities across the state and nation, and will continue to do so for the next 50+ years.
As a Wisconsin Singers alum, | can attest that this program was the defining experience of my time at UW-Madison. Now, I'm thrilled to lead the Friends of Wisconsin Singers, and our dedicated 17- person volunteer executive board, in raising dollars to fund the Wisconsin Singers budget beyond concert income. Our impact as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is a testament to the power of community and reinforces the importance of continued support from our alumni, fans, and friends.
To our donors, we extend our sincere gratitude for your support. If you're new to Friends of Wisconsin Singers, we hope you'll consider joining us in the upcoming season and help us grow our financial support.| hope to see you all at an upcoming show during the Wisconsin Singers 57th season.
| hope to see you all at an upcoming show during the Wisconsin Singers 57th season.
On Wisconsin,
Bryce Hackman
‘23-’24 FoWS Executive Board President Wisconsin Singers Alumnus 2010 - 2013
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 56th season was a successful journey, which was made possible by the invaluable support of Friends of Wisconsin Singers, Inc. The dedication of Friends volunteers to our mission and commitment to excellence played a pivotal role in Wisconsin Singers ability to impact communities, students, and audience members throughout the state and nation. We are immensely grateful for their continued commitment.
Throughout the 23-24 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 8 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!
Community Impact: Beyond the stage, the program engaged and enriched more than 33 communities. Six 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 Executive Board allowed us to partner with 10 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, Clintonville Show Choir, DeFortes Show Choir-DeForest, Good Old A cappella-Beaver Dam, Kee Notes-Waunakee, Limited Edition Show Choir-Tomah, Momentum Show Choirs- Plymouth, Pardeeville Show Choirs, Parker Arts Academy-Janesville, Treehouse Theater- Manitowoc, West De Pere High School Jazz Ensemble, 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!
While we celebrate all of these 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 make a meaningful impact in the arts and communities throughout the state. 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
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.
23-24 Year End Financial Review
The 56th season of the Wisconsin Singers is now in the books, and it was another great year in the legacy of the Singers program. The show was a favorite of many of our audience members, and we were able to essentially break even during this first year of financial transition with the Wisconsin Union.
The FoWS entered a new stage of our relationship with the Wisconsin Union this year. The Union has taken on all the “day to day” accounting processes, from the hiring of professional staff to contracting with sponsors and sending out invoices. As a result, the FoWS now has a tri-purpose financial role. First, to continue our alumni engagement and fundraising efforts on behalf of the Wisconsin Singers. Second, to maintain ownership and maintenance of all the assets of FoWS. (This includes equipment, costumes, props, etc.) And third, to continue to manage all business activities that involve student handling of money to stay in compliance with UW policy. (Singers Partnered Shows, apparel sales, etc.)
The concern going into this first season was that expenses could escalate due to the purchasing policies of the University. Thankfully, this concern did not come to fruition. Some of our individual line items did increase, but not to the level that could not be covered by our revenue stream. At the end of the day, we still don’t receive any direct funding from the UW and the Union is counting on FoWS to cover any programmatic expenses that are not offset by the Wisconsin Singers revenue stream — this year totaling about $113,000. We were able to remain in budget and cover that donation ask in full.
The Union is also working aggressively with us to provide office, storage and rehearsal space, and is covering initial buildout costs to outfit new band and singer / dancer rehearsal space as well as an equipment and storage area at the Pyle Center. A physical “home” has always been a goal of the program, and the Union is showing their support of the Singers by providing both space and remodeling support to solve this issue.
We are excited to see what year 2 of this new Union financial partnership will bring, but we are optimistic that we can maintain our financial solvency and focus our efforts on growing the program reserves to support future generations of Wisconsin Singers!
On Wisconsin!
‘23-‘24 FoWS Executive Board Treasurer Wisconsin Singers Alumnus 1993 - 1997
