Valley Gospel Choir
110-voice choir made up of members from all over the Chippewa Valley
Merlyn Aude, Director
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ANNUAL CONCERT 2013 July 16th and 17th "The 2012 concerts were very successful and I am looking forward to the new season." [Merlyn Aude 2013 newsletter] Doors open at 6:30 PM Tickets $12 Tickets can be purchased from: Festival Foods
The Choir wishes to thank our major sponsors for their generous financial support: WESTGATE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
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HISTORY
The Valley Gospel Choir was formed in the spring of 1992 to perform at Country Jam as part of the Sunday morning events. The first choir was made up of members who loved to sing, sang in area church choirs, and enjoyed singing gospel music. Our first concert was in 1992 at Memorial High School.
In July, 2000 we moved to the State Theater and began singing two concerts in mid-July. July 2009 brought another change as the concerts were moved to Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. With the audience so close, there is an a special association enjoyed by both the listeners and performers.
We have had only three directors in these 15 years. The choir was formed under the direction of Paul Nixdorf. Cathy Reitz took over the choir in 1996. Merlyn Aude took over the choir in 2006. Many of our current members are charter members having sung with the choir since the beginning. We have a loyal following of concert attendees who look forward to our yearly concerts.
Mid-year we get together to sing and prepare a short concert given as a benefit for a local organization. Persons who wish to have the choir perform for their organization should contact the Director, Choir President, or Office Manager. Members are elected to the Board of Directors who plan, prepare, and direct the organization.
Contact Us: Kris Ruckman, Office Manager, 715-835-7649, krisruckman@hotmail.com
Choir Director: Merlyn Aude, 715-647-5433, merlynaude@hotmail.com
Board Members:
George McLeod, President
Paul Bickel, Vice President
Mary Mero, Secretary
Paula Luer, Treasurer
Eileen Biegel
Tom Bohlinger
Shelly Theiste
Nadine Schlough
Julie Weber
Ruth Hofland
Calendar - 2013
| January 27 | 2:00 pm | Rehearsal for Winter Benefit in Grace Lutheran Parlors |
| February 10 | 2:00 pm | Winter Benefit at Oakwood Hills Retirement Center |
| May 9 | 5:00-6:00 pm | Music pickup in Grace Lutheran Parlors |
| May 16, 23, 30 | 6:30-8:30 pm | Practices in Grace Lutheran Parlors |
| June 6, 13, 20, 27 | 6:30-8:30 pm | Practices in Grace Lutheran Parlors |
| June (to be announced) | Sunday Morning | Church Tour |
| July 11 | 6:30-8:30 pm | Practices in Grace Lutheran Parlors |
| July 15 | 6:30 | Dress Rehearsal in Grace Lutheran Sanctuary |
| July 16 & 17 | 7:30 pm | Concerts in Grace Lutheran Sanctuary |
| July 25 | 6:30 pm | Annual Meeting in Grace Lutheran Parlors |
From the
VALLEY GOSPEL CHOIR 2012 Newsletter
Donations and Memorials:
In 2012, the Valley Gospel choir received many donations and sponsorships from individuals and businesses. In addition, there were memorials to Jeanne "Beaner" Poquette. In order to meet our financial obligations without raising annual dues, all members are encouraged to consider making individual donations, including song sponsorships, and to voluteer.
The Chippewa Valley Predators are a semi-pro football team that calls Eau Claire home. The Valley Gospel Choir has been offered the opportunity to work the concession stands and admission gate in return for a percentage of the concession profit. Mike and Shelly Theiste will head up the fundraising as they have worked with the team the last for years. If you know of any oher events that would benefit from Valley Gospel Choir participation or want to volunteer, please contact Shelly at 715-833-1667 or stheiste@att.net .
If you know of a community member, group or business who may wish to contribute to Valley Gospel Choir, please send contact information to Kris Ruckman (Office Manager) at 715-835-7649 or krisruckman@hotmail.com.
Message from the President:
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you are looking forward to another good year of singing with Valley Gospel Choir.
This webpage will provide information on our upcoming season, including contact information, schedules, winter benefit concert and summer concert. We hope you can attend the winter concert. If you can't attend the practice for that event but are available for the concert, let us know and we will have a music folder available for you.
The Valley Gospel Choir membership is holding steady with no major debt, nevertheless fundraising to support our choir is always a challenge. We are blessed with some very supportive members who are always there to help and I hope that even more of us will step forward this year.
As we look ahead, I think about how fortunate we are to have our wonderful choir. Singing is such a powerful medium. It amazes me that sometimes we forget the things we did yesterday and yet we remember the words to songs we haven't heard for years. Singing is truly a gift that you share with others. I hope you will continue to share your gift with us and our audiences and that you will help to do what needs to done to keep our choir strong.
George McLeod, Board President
Message from the Director:
Greetings Valley Gospel Choir members!! I had a wonderful white Christmas and I hope it was bright for you as well.
The 2012 concerts were very successful and I am looking forward to the new season. I sure do enjoy performing in our venue at Grace Lutheran Church. I have received a few music suggestions from choir members and appreciate them. I have created a file to save those suggestions so I can review them when I start hunting for the 2013 program.
I will get to see many of you when we get together for our winter event rehearsal and performance. Until then, be safe and keep warm.
Merlyn Aude, Director
The Choir wishes to thank our major sponsors for their generous financial support:
WESTGATE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
TRACTOR CENTRAL - JOHN DEERE
If you know of a community member, group or business who may be a potential contributor to Valley Gospel Choir,
please send names, addresses and contact information to Kris Ruckman at #715-835-7649 or krisruckman@hotmail.com.
