A Twin Cities Chorus for All
Crescendo Community Chorus
Welcoming all who seek to have fun performing, socializing, and singing choral pieces from diverse periods and cultures.
Where it all started
A Brief History of Crescendo
In the Fall of 2022, five singers (two sopranos, two altos, one bass) considered the possibility of creating a non-audition SATB community choir in South Minneapolis.
They had sung together before and longed to do so again. Conversation themes ranged from “who, what, where, when” to many “how" questions, including raising money. Then, to the surprise and delight of the five singers, a generous monetary gift arrived from two benefactors who'd heard news of the community choir idea, and wanted to support it. Energy gathered, moving the five from “maybe we could” to “let’s give it a go”.
To identify other singers, the five announced “Pop Up” singing dates, which were held at the Center for Performing Arts (CFPA) in November 2022 and January 2023. They hired music directors for each: Dr. Randal Buikema in November and Janice Hunton in January. Nearly sixty singers enthusiastically attended the Pop Ups.
Encouraged, the five met to create vision, mission and values statements that would define the choir. The chosen name — Crescendo Community Chorus — mirrored the waves of enthusiasm from singers and supporters: a gathering of engagement and activity that was its own crescendo. Among the five singers were two with experience in the organizing and financing of nonprofit organizations. Soon, Crescendo Community Choir was an official Minnesota nonprofit, with a bank account and a federal tax ID number.
An important decision was to use a “pay what you can” policy to provide transparency regarding the expense of running a choir (professional music direction and accompaniment; purchase of music; rental of rehearsal and performance space) and a clear message to singers that while a fee is set for participation in each session of singing (generally 8 rehearsals and 1 performance) each singer is asked to pay according to their ability.
Applying the policy of “pay what you can” Crescendo Community Chorus welcomed singers; contracted with CFPA for ongoing rehearsal space; purchased and borrowed sheet music and paid our professional musicians well. The Chorus contracted with Randal Buikema to direct the first session of eight rehearsals (March to May 2023) and one performance on May 9th.
Along the way, other unsolicited contributions were received by the group, and other singers took on necessary tasks to do the work. Singers with expertise in graphic design, marketing, web page development, photography and even building a riser for our conductor volunteered.
With these organizational details in place, the Chorus invited Randal Buikema to serve as the Artistic Director and Franco Holder to be the accompanist and both graciously accepted these roles.
In April 2023 Crescendo Community Chorus convened its first Board of Directors meeting and in May received IRS 501(c) 3 nonprofit status. The five singer-planners served as the initial Board: Nancy Gaschott, Ann Kay, Ellen Kluz, Jim Ramnaraine, and Susan Schultz.
And, by unanimous decision, chocolate is available to singers at each rehearsal.
Mission
We sing to experience the joy of blending voices and to unite singers and listeners through choral music, bringing harmony and beauty to our community.
Vision
To inspire an intergenerational chorus of singers that has a sustained and visible presence in the Twin Cities through performing and creating collaborative musical partnerships within the community.
Values
Welcoming all
Fostering empathy & authenticity
Strengthening health & wellbeing
Supporting development as a singer & musician
Encouraging fellowship
Personnel
Dr. Randal Buikema, Director
Dr. Randal A. Buikema has been the Artistic Director/Conductor of Crescendo Community Chorus since its inception in the Spring of 2023. He has been the Music Director for the Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company since 2015. In addition, he has worked with the Children’s Theater, the Guthrie Theater, and Shoot the Glass Theater.
Before moving to Minneapolis, Dr. Buikema served as Minister of Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines, Iowa, where he created the Westminster Fine Arts Series. Recognized for its quality and innovative programming in the areas of music, theater, visual arts and dance, the series was awarded major grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, and the Iowa Humanities Board. He was also the founding Artistic Director/Conductor of the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus. Dr. Buikema has taught at Anoka Ramsey Community College, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Drake University, Grinnell College, and Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr. Buikema holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree in Vocal and Instrumental Music from Augustana College, a Master of Arts degree in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education from Western Illinois University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Iowa.
Franco Holder, Pianist
Franco Holder is a freelance musician in the Twin Cities.
He enjoys collaborating across many genres including Opera, Musical Theater, and Dance. He has led workshops at the Guthrie and Ordway Theaters and recently has taught and music directed at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Franco is Organist, Bell Choir and Chimes Director at Creekside UCC.
Board of Directors
As Pictured: (back to front, left to right)
Susan Schultz, Board Chair
Ellen Kluz, Music
Nancy Gaschott, Treasurer
Weld Ransom, Logistics
Jim Ramnaraine, Engagement
Ann Kay, Communication
Ben Cooper, Technical