The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation

Music acquisition, copies of sing along sheets and computer software to create rehearsal tapes.

Grant Information
Categories Arts
Location United States
Cycle Year 2017
Organization Information
Organization Name (provided by applicant) Issaquah Singers
Organization Name (provided by automatic EIN validation)
EIN
Website http://www.issaquahsingers.com
Contact Information
Contact Name Dorothy Hay
Phone 425-442-1218
E-mail dorothy_h23@hotmail.com
Address
P.O. Box 387
Issaquah
WA
98027
Additional Information
Used for Issaquah Singers is an all-volunteer choir supported predominately by member dues, occasional donations and a grant from the City of Issaquah Arts Commission. Doughtery Foundation grant money received would be used for the acquisition of new music and printing sing along sheets for audience participation at every concert, all of which are presented without charge. Funds would also be used to purchase a computer software program to create rehearsal tapes to help choir members learn their singing parts.
Benefits Issaquah Singers provides an increased quality of life for residents of senior living centers primarily on the eastside of Lake Washington who have difficulty leaving their living centers to hear live music because of increased age and/or health issues. Choir members experience joy while learning music and sharing our love of music with seniors. Music has been proven to improve brain functioning in people of all ages especially when people sing, not just listen to music, therefore, an audience sing along is included in every concert.
Proposal Description Since 1976 the primary goal of Issaquah Singers has been to sing inspiring, joyful, and familiar music for those who have difficulty leaving their centers to hear live musical opportunities that are available to the community at large. About once a month between September and May, the choir sings at two senior living facilities. In May the choir drives about three hours to present two concerts out of the immediate Puget Sound area—the annual road trip.

All concerts include music that is appropriate and well known to the residents who are encouraged to sing with the choir as well as join in the sing-along that is part of every concert. To facilitate participation in the sing-alongs, printed words are provided. Every member of the choir is a volunteer including the conductor, accompanist and instrumentalists. There is no charge for our concerts and the concerts do not generate revenue. Occasionally a small donation is received but not solicited. In June of every year, a free concert is presented to the public and approximately 300 people attend.

Following every concert an evaluation is done by the conductor and members of the choir to pinpoint any problem areas, make corrections, if needed, and to share any comments received from the audience members. Success is measured by the attentiveness of the audiences, the enthusiasm with which the audiences join in the sing alongs, the positive comments received from the audience members and their activity directors, and by the numerous requests received for concerts year after year, more than can be fulfilled.

Grant money would be used for the acquisition of music and copies of sing along sheets used by the audience and the choir at these concerts. Funds would also be used to purchase a computer software program to create rehearsal tapes to help choir members to learn their singing parts.

Attached is a photograph of the choir from our community concert in June 2017 and a copy of our IRS 501(3)c Tax Exemption letter.

Thank you for your consideration.