Voices of Omaha Receives $17,800 in Grants to Support 47th Annual Performance of Handel's MESSIAH

Voices of Omaha (VOO) is pleased to announce grants and gifts totaling more than $17,800 recently received in support of its 47th annual performance of Handel's Messiah. The amount represents over one-half of the organization's $33,844 operating budget for 2015. Funds were generously provided the Nebraska Arts Council/Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Omaha Community Foundation's "Omaha Gives!" campaign, Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation, Whitmore Charitable Trust, Geiger Foundation, St. John Lutheran Foundation, and a significant anonymous gift. This year's performance takes place in the Holland Performing Arts Center's Kiewit Concert Hall on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. There is no admission charge.

$5,150 from the Nebraska Arts Council/Nebraska Cultural Endowment supports VOO's Growth Project which is increasing educational outreach and diversity of the chorus membership. Nebraska Arts Council's executive director, Suzanne Wise, commended the chorus for its programs, noting that "Voices of Omaha does an outstanding job of providing arts activities in Omaha. It is through fine organizations like this that Nebraska's children receive better education in the arts, and the quality of life is improved for all Nebraskans."

The chorus' Growth Project involves expanded outreach to high school youth interested in choral music. Area high schools, Home Educators Network, and Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association are invited to send singers to participate in the chorus for this year's Messiah performance; 37 high school-age singers participated in the chorus in 2014. To remove barriers to participation for the young singers, annual membership dues are waived, musical scores are provided, and even tuxedos are provided for the students who need them. In addition to excellent vocal coaching, each rehearsal features a multi-media lecture/demonstration of a musicological subject relating to Messiah. This is of value to the musicians of every age in the group. Rehearsals begin Sunday, October 11, at the Holland Center. For more information or advance chorus registration, visit www.voicesofomaha.org.

$3,805 was received through Omaha Community Foundation's "Omaha Gives!" day of giving on May 20. Gifts from 47 individuals and matching campaign funds pushed the total 69% beyond the chorus' goal of $2,250. "We are astounded by the generosity of our donors," said Amanda Patrick, president of VOO's board of directors. "With support like this, the future of Voices of Omaha with its annual Messiah performances is bright, indeed."

Five long-time supporters of VOO have provided funding for 2015. $2,500 was granted from the Whitmore Charitable Trust, supporting VOO's annual Messiah performances since 1985. $2,500 was granted from the Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation which has supported the group since 1986. $1,500 was received from the Giger Foundation, chorus supporters since 1997, and $500 from St. John Lutheran Foundation, an annual contributor since 2012. Finally, a gift of $1,867 was received from an anonymous donor who has been supporting the organization for over 40 years.

About the Nebraska Arts Council - The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC) grants monetary resources to Nebraska's nonprofit organizations for arts projects and programs in communities throughout the state. This financial support is made possible by funds appropriated by the Nebraska legislature, through competitive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a federal agency, and funds from the Nebraska Cultural Endowment (NCE). Nebraskans wishing to learn more about NEA grants of the NCE can visit the NAC website at www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov.

About Omaha Community Foundation - Omaha Gives! campaign - Since 1982, the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF) has enabled donors to generously contribute to the good of the community through its 501(c)(3) status. It has granted over $1 billion in its history and is ranked fourth among the top 400 such community foundations nationally in per capita giving. OCF has grown to include more than 1,200 donors, serving the needs of over 3,000 nonprofits, initiatives and funds throughout greater Omaha and southwest Iowa. In 2015, its 24- hour "Omaha Gives!" campaign raised nearly $9 million for 705 nonprofits with donations from more than 20,600 donors. For more information, visit omahafoundation.org.

About Voices of Omaha - Voices of Omaha is a 235-voice community chorus which gave its first performance of Handel's Messiah on Dec. 14, 1969, with soloists and orchestra under the direction of the late Leota Sneed Strong. Since then, the choir has enjoyed the leadership of artistic directors: Thomas Brantigan, Michael Dryver, Z. Randall Stroope, Greg Zielke, Stanley E. Schmidt, and Edward B. Hurd.

The 1969 concert was a free gift to the community with no admission charge - a tradition which continues to this day. To offset expenses, the members pay dues, hold fundraisers, and even pay for the poinsettias on the stage. Additional support is provided through grants and gifts from public and private sources. A free-will offering is taken at the concert.

In 2013, VOO was honored on the occasions of their 45th annual performance by Governor Dave Heineman who proclaimed November 24, 2013 to be "Voices of Omaha Appreciation Day in Nebraska."

Pictured: Voices of Omaha, November 24, 2013 -- Holland Performing Arts Center, Kiewit Concert Hall -- 45th Annual Performance of Handel's Messiah "Voices of Omaha Appreciation Day in Nebraska".