Local cultural commissions have made 23 grants to arts and heritage nonprofits, thanks to funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Citizens committees chose the recipients as one part of the process to distribute $1.47 million in cultural trust grants throughout the state.

The Marion Cultural Development Corp. awarded $24,435 to 14 Marion County non-profit organizations.

The Polk County Cultural Coalition awarded $11,520 to nine organizations.

Both county coalitions were able to grant nearly all the requests they got, spokespeople said. That’s more because of a dearth of applications than a surplus of money.

“I suspect that with the economy, some projects are not going forward,” said Kay Pendleton, publicity chairwoman for the Marion County coalition. “We feel really good about the ones we awarded.”

Funding went to established groups including the Willamette Heritage Center and the Oregon Symphony Association in Salem; but also to new efforts such as a children’s theater group in Monmouth-Independence.

“These awards are supposed to make a difference in each county,” said Gary Jensen of the Polk County coalition.

In Marion County, grants are supposed to promote awareness of the county’s cultural assets, strengthen communities, inspire youth, develop leadership, support excellence, and encourage investment in the arts, heritage and humanities.

Polk County’s priorities are focusing on youths, overcoming barriers to participation, and preserving cultural assets.

The Oregon Cultural Trust is a plan to increase private and public investment in the arts, heritage and humanities. Money comes through the sale of cultural trust license plates, charitable donations, and a tax-credit donation match for charitable organizations.

Donations to the trust in fiscal year 2011 increased 5.3 percent over the previous year, to nearly $3.9 million.

bcurtin@statesmanjournal.com or (503) 399-6699 or twitter.com/BarbaraCurtin

The primary focus of the newly-created Director of Development will be securing funding from grants and donations, organizing fund raising events, and participating in community activities. The Board intends to put those resources to work to expand its Mission: “Promote choral excellence through musical collaboration, education, and performance.”

Ms. Linder’s musical and management background created the ideal candidate for this position. She obtained her collegiate masters degree in music (University of Nebraska/Lincoln), followed by a performance certificate in voice (Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University). This training led to her current role as professional concert soloist and choral conductor. Connections in these roles encouraged her interest in non-profit organizations, expanded now to some twelve years of valuable experience in business and non-profit management.

The Board of Directors, along with artistic director, Dr. Paul Klemme, are looking toward the future by exploring ways the Chorus can grow while maintaining its high musical standards. The Chorus’s 28th 2012-2013 season will promote “The French Connection” theme as it looks forward to the four-concert group leading up to a musical tour of France during the summer of 2013.

As ran in the Statesman Journal: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012120321011

“The Willamette Master Chorus came close to filling Smith Auditorium this afternoon for the premiere of “The Call,” a tribute to service member and veterans. It’s too bad those last 100 or so seats weren’t taken as well, because this was an amazing experience for the community.

Readers may remember that last Sunday the SJ’s Life section included an interview with Dave Metzger of Salem, the composer, and Henry Hughes of Falls City, the poet who wrote the words. They expressed hope that the composition could be published and picked up by other groups. After today’s performance, I’m confident it will be.

The two managed to avoid sentimentality and jingoism. It was not pro-war or anti-war. The piece praised the action of all who answer “The Call.” But it also acknowledged that service members find themselves in situations where the goal is unclear, and where their fears and uncertainties may outweigh their feelings of patriotism.

Both men were in the audience and came up to the stage to be acknowledged along with director Paul Klemme, 220 singers and 35 orchestra members. A standing ovation went on and on.

This community has remarkable cultural resources. It’s my privilege to write about them, and my joy to attend many performances in my spare time. Today reminded me of that once again.”

The Willamette Master Chorus’ concerts next weekend contain a gift for veterans and members of the armed services: a major choral work composed just for them. “The Call,” a 15-minute piece for choir and orchestra, honors the victories and sacrifices of American servicemen and women. It features music by Salem’s Dave Metzger, a Grammy award-winner (“The Lion King,” “Tarzan”). The text is by Henry Hughes, an associate professor at Western Oregon University and winner of an Oregon Book Award.

A 35-piece orchestra will accompany approximately 220 singers in performances in Albany and at Willamette University. Guest choirs from West Albany High School, South Albany High School and Linn-Benton Community College will join the master chorus on stage …

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The Chorus will be joined by guest choirs from West Albany High School directed by Cate Cafferella; South Albany High School directed by Brett DeYoung; and Linn-Benton Community College directed by James Reddan. Each of the choirs will present an individual set celebrating and honoring veterans. Dr. Paul Klemme will conduct branch service hymns and other patriotic national songs as part of the program. The combined choirs, accompanied by a chamber orchestra, will then join in this performance of “The Call.” The overwhelming majesty of some 200 musicians is guaranteed to form that lump in your throat and the tingle up your spine!

The first concert will be Friday night, November 11th at 7:30 pm at the First Assembly of God Church in Albany. This event will be an integral part of the annual Albany Veterans’ Commemorative celebration.

The final performance will be Sunday afternoon, November 13th at 3:00 pm at Smith Auditorium on the Willamette University campus in Salem.

Tickets are available on-line at www.WillametteMasterChorus.org; from WMC chorus members; at Travel Salem; and at the event box office day of event. Tickets for the Albany performance are available at State Farm Insurance office, 340 SW Washington Street in Albany.
Tickets are open seating, ranging from $20 general admission, $15 for seniors, $12 for veterans and military personnel, and $5 for students.

For additional information, call [503] 370-6929, or log-on to http://www.willamettemasterchorus.org/2011-2012-season/veteransconcert/.

Come, support, and enjoy outstanding choral music to honor our Veterans as presented by the Willamette Valley’s premier choral ensemble in collaboration with local student choirs!