Thomas Kasdorf, Music Director and Conductor

Thanks for helping to make our 2002-2003 season a smashing success!  Please see below for information about our upcoming 2003-2004 season.

Tickets for Individual Performances

Tickets for individual concerts may be purchased from members of the Kalamazoo Singers, by calling our office, or through:

Season Tickets

Check your mailboxes in July and August for information on season tickets for the Kalamazoo Singers' 27th season.  Once again, you may purchase yours via return mail at that time, or by calling our office for more information.  Season tickets for 2003-2004 are $35.00, and include one ticket for each of our performances, including those with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. This season, they also include a ticket to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts "Millet to Matisse" opening on Sunday, May 23, 2004.  Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to hear some great music and to see this exciting and important exhibition!

Group Discounts

Group Discounts are given for purchases of 10 or more tickets.
Please write or call our office for more information.

Auditions

Auditions occur at various times throughout each year.  The next audition is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2003.

The Kalamazoo Singers attracts some of the best voices in Southwest Michigan. You may audition to become a member of the Kalamazoo Singers, or sing with the Kalamazoo Singers Community Chorus without audition. Typical auditions include scales, sight reading, and a piece from your repertoire.  Auditions are taped for later impartial, anonymous review.

If you would like to schedule an audition, please e-mail our audition coordinator, or call the Kalamazoo Singers office at 269-373-1769.

The Kalamazoo Singers Community Chorus

Auditioning is not necessary to sing with the Kalamazoo Singers Community Chorus for our large-scale works with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.

Although the core of the Kalamazoo Singers is made up of people who have auditioned successfully for a position, the Kalamazoo Singers frequently draws upon a wider group of performers for large-scale works.  Choruses of up to 140 people have performed in the Verdi Requiem, Puccini's "Turandot" and "Madama Butterfly", as well as other major choral works with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.

Please call or write us for information on joining the Kalamazoo Singers Community Chorus for upcoming events.

It is the policy of the Kalamazoo Singers that rehearsals are a vital part of concert preparation, and that no more than two rehearsals may be missed in preparation for a concert. Missing more than two rehearsals will result in the singer being asked not to participate in the concert.

In addition, we ask that the singer notify Tom Kasdorf or your section leader if you know in advance that you'll miss a rehearsal.

Click here for a detailed calendar of the 2003-2004 season.

The Kalamazoo Singers is a choral ensemble of approximately forty voices under the direction of Thomas R. Kasdorf. All members are admitted by audition and include some of the area's finest singers.

The group's commitment to excellence began in 1976, under the direction of Mel Ivey, when the group performed as the opera chorus in the Kalamazoo Symphony / Michigan Opera Theater's production of "Madama Butterfly." The members of the chorus enjoyed their participation so much, discussions were started which eventually led to the formation of the Kalamazoo Singers. It was agreed that not only would the group continue as an opera chorus, but also branch out into other repertoire. The group remained under the direction of Mel Ivey until 1979, when Thomas Kasdorf took the helm.

The Kalamazoo Singers has many musical credits to its name. The many operas the group has performed include:

• Menotti's "Amahl and The Night Visitors"
• Bizet's "Carmen" 
• Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana" / Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci" 
• Strauss' "Die Fledermaus"
• Puccini's "La Boheme" 
• Puccini's "Madama Butterfly"
• Puccini's "Tosca "

The Kalamazoo Singers has also formed the core of several large community choruses for concerts in conjunction with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, including:

• Gospelfest '92
• Home for the Holidays
• The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra 75th Anniversary Gala
• Puccini's "Madama Butterfly"
• Beethoven's Ninth Smyphony
• The Verdi Requiem
• Puccini's "Turandot"

In the fall of 2000, the group gave two performances of the Faure Requiem with the Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church Choir and members of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. These performances commemorated the 30th anniversary of the installation of the magnificent 62-rank Casavant organ at First Presbyterian.

In the fall of 1997, the group performed the world premier of Andrew Carter's "Beauty for Ashes" with the Kalamazoo First Presbyterian Church Choir and members of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.  The composer participated in the final week of rehearsals here in Kalamazoo - we all had a delightful time.

The group was honored during the 1985-1986 season to perform before the American Choral Directors Association in Indianapolis.

In addition to the excellent reviews of the performances of the Verdi Requiem and Puccini's "Turandot" and "Madama Butterfly", the Kalamazoo Singers has received favorable acclaim from music lovers and reviewers since its formation.

Recent appearances in conjunction with the 1994 and 1996 Irving S.Gilmore International Keyboard Festivals, the Fontana Festival, and the Allegro Festival have added further recognition.

Our 26th Anniversary Season  was a smashing success with well-received performances of Puccini's "La Boheme" and Home for the Holidays with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.

Photo Copyright © 2002 by Alex Boltenko. Used with permission.

Portions of the our concerts appear on WMUK's "In Concert".  Thanks, WMUK!

We would like to thank the individuals and organizations who are our patrons and supporters. Their generous contributions help to make the Kalamazoo Singers, according to the Kalamazoo Gazette, "one of this area's premier choral organizations."

You can support the Kalamazoo Singers through:

• Tax-deductible contributions
• Ticket purchases
• Volunteering
• Our Amazon.com associates program

Contributions

Your contributions to the Kalamazoo Singers are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Michigan is particularly generous in allowing tax deductions and credits for charitable contributions. If you need information about our tax status, please contact our office.

Volunteering

We welcome volunteers to usher at our concerts, do publicity, help in planning, and many other functions. You will receive recognition in our program booklet (if you'd like), and our eternal gratitude. In addition, some local employers will match volunteer effort with cash contributions.

We have made an arrangement with Amazon.com which provides us with financial support for every purchase you make, at no additional cost to you.  Click on the Kalamazoo Singers / Amazon.com logo here to transfer to the Amazon.com web site, and help support the Kalamazoo Singers!

Interested in the tools used to create and maintain this web site?  They're free (mostly)!  Please see Web Content Management for Non-Profit Arts Organizations for more information.