Staples Area Mens Chorus Inc

DURING THE YEAR, THE STAPLES AREA MEN'S CHORUS (SAMC) HAD 32 MEMBERS. OUR YEAR STARTED WITH THE LITTLE RED CABOOSE VARIETY SHOW ON AUGUST 17, 2023 IN WHICH WE PERFORMED AND ASSISTED BACK STAGE, 19 MEMBERS PARTICIPATED AND THERE WERE 210 IN ATTENDANCE. WE PERFORMED A MUSIC ON THE FARM VENUE ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 IN WHICH 21 PARTICIPANTS SET UP AND SANG ON A RURAL FARM WITH 79 ATTENDEES. ON OCTOBER 14, 2023 OUR MUSIC FESTIVAL "REAL MEN SING" RETURNED TO STAPLES MOTLEY HIGH SCHOOL WITH 125 PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING THE SAMC A COLLEGE CHOIR AND AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WE HAD 215 ATTENDEES AT THE FINALE CONCERT AND ARE STILL CONSIDERING A ROTATING VENUE FOR FUTURE FESTIVALS. THIS WOULD BE A WAY FOR THE SAMC TO EXPAND OUR BOUNDARIES AS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH GOALS. ANOTHER GOAL OF THE FESTIVAL IS TO HELP HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE MUSIC PROGRAMS ATTRACT AND RETAIN MALE SINGERS FOR THEIR CHORAL ENSEMBLES AND TO HELP THEM REMAIN STRONG AND VIBRANT ORGANIZATIONS. REAL MEN SING AIMS TO HELP YOUNG MEN FIND THE JOY AND RICHNESS THAT SINGING BRINGS TO LIFE. WE PARTICIPATED AS PART OF OUR OUTREACH AND VIRTUAL DELIVERY IN THE EMPTY STOCKING FUND RAISER IN DECEMBER OF 2023, WHICH INCLUDED A RADIO FEED. WE HELD OUR ANNUAL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT AS A COMBINED EFFORT WITH THE STAPLES AREA WOMEN'S CHOIR WITH 43 PERFORMERS AND 210 IN ATTENDANCE. IN CONTINUING WITH OUR OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES, THE SAMC SANG AT THE PINES SENIOR CENTER WITH 23 MEMBERS PARTICIPATING AND 47 IN ATTENDANCE ON FEBRUARY 7, 2024. AS ANOTHER OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY THE SAMC SANG AT SEVERAL AREA CHURCHES: FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH ON MARCH 3, 2024 WITH 17 PARTICIPANTS AND 117 ATTENDEES; TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH ON APRIL 7, 2024 WITH 17 PARTICIPANTS AND 87 ATTENDEES. WE HAD OUR SPRING CONCERT IN THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITY OF CLARISSA MN AS ANOTHER JOINT EFFORT WITH A LOCAL BAND WITH THE THEME OF THE "70'S" THIS FEATURED 51 PERFORMERS AND 225 ATTENDEES. IN APRIL 2024 THE CHORUS TRAVELED TO APPLETON WISCONSIN TO HELP A FELLOW CHORUS CELEBRATE THEIR 90TH ANNIVERSARY THE "MACDOWELL SINGERS". OUR SEASON ENDED ON MAY 15, 2024 AT HOLST ACRES WITH OUR SPRING AFTERGLOW CONCERT INCLUDING 23 MEMBERS PLAYING TO AN AUDIENCE OF 97 PEOPLE. WE ALSO CONTINUED TO WORK ON OUR WEBSITE AND VIRTUAL DELIVERY OPTIONS.