Hear beautiful music at UWP
PLATTEVILLE-Beautiful music can be heard in the relatively small town of Platteville, due to the efforts of one man approximately 27 years ago. Gerald Darrow, choral director in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's music department at that time, shared his time and talents and started a singing group known as Platteville Chorale.
Charter member and current president Dwight Klaassen describes the addition of the Children's Choir in 1978. The Children's Choir is comprised of three singing groups of second through eighth grade students. According to ability, each child is placed into the Apprentice Choir, Choristers or Cantabile. There are over 100 children representing the southwest Wisconsin communities of Argyle, Belmont, Blanchardville, Cobb, Darlington, Dodgeville, Fennimore, Highland, Hollandale, Lancaster, Livingston, Mineral Point, Montfort, Potosi, Shullsburg and Stitzer. Klaassen said, "We have a group of very enthusiastic parents and the best kids."
UWP and Chorale work together to benefit Platteville and the surrounding area with musical growth. An example of this blending is Chorale using the UWP facilities for rehearsals and concerts under the auspices of the Fine Arts Department, and the income from UWP's Holiday Gala being donated to the university scholarship music fund for UWP music students.
The annual budget of approximately $13,000 pays a small group of intern students from UWP, directors, accompanists, music, travel, and miscellaneous expenses. The budget is generated from singers' dues, admission fees to concerts ($6 for adults and $3 for students), contributions from individuals and businesses, and a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board. Chorale has succeeded each year to meet the criteria to qualify for the grant.
There are many events coming up that Platteville Chorale is excited to share. The adult and children's choirs will participate in the fall concert on the UWP campus in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall of the Center for the Arts building at 3 p.m. on Nov. 23. They will also perform at the Brodbeck Concert Hall on Dec. 6 and 7 during UWP's Holiday Gala. The Children's Choir will be singing during tree lighting events at the Rollo Jamison Museum on Dec. 8 and 15 with more seasonal music on the 14th. Springtime in April kicks off more singing musicals, so keep tuned in to experience more melodies from Platteville Chorale, Inc.
The Chorale board is completely voluntary with Dwight Klaassen as president, Stephanie Saager-Bourret as vice-president, Tom Hickey as secretary, and John Urness as treasurer.
Chorale rehearsal starts at 6:30 p.m. every Monday. Anyone wanting to become involved in any way, may contact Platteville Chorale, Inc. at (608) 348-2150.
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