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The Keys to Collaboration: Unlocking the Power of Partnership for Choral Organizations

How might a choir obtain funding for a col- Sidey (CA): Prioritize shared goals and invest in your
laborative effort through your organization (or people. Remember, collaborations are driven primar-
elsewhere)? ily by people, so getting the right players and the right
mindset in place is critical for success.
Sidey (CA): Applications for our Music Education
Partnership occur every other year, and we are delight- Meier-Baker (NEA): Choirs are composed of people
ed to provide multi-year funding to support selected with various skills, experiences, and networks. Each
partnerships for two school years. This multi-year com- member of a partnership should have a tailored “job
mitment echoes clear research that states longer-term description” that will help them leverage their unique
support is critical for successful project implementa- strengths for the good of the whole. It’s easy to take a
tion. As any choral educator will tell you, this type of one-size-fits-all approach, but as is more often the case,
work takes time. one size only fits one. Be open to possibility.
Chorus America also supports the commissioning of
new works through the Dale Warland Singers Commis- Mlynczak (NAMM): Think big and believe in the
sion Grant presented in partnership with the American power of a collective agenda. Music is a community-
Composers Forum. Eligibility for this opportunity ro- centered activity. Focusing on the local community and
tates by chorus-type on a three-year cycle. spreading the joy of music to those closest to you will
ensure that support for music prevails over time.
Meier-Baker (NEA): The application criteria and
process is available to all on the NEA website, www.
arts.gov. In my experience, however, seeking funding Conclusion
from grantmaking organizations isn’t the only way to ACDA’s Advocacy statement says that choral music
go about this. Sometimes, it’s quicker and more effi- “builds connectivity throughout communities,” a senti-
cient to ask individuals to financially support a project ment certainly echoed by the organizations presented
that you know they will care about. In reality, grant- in this interview. Collaborative efforts among choral
making agencies and foundations may change their fo- organizations and other partners, especially at the lo-
cus from time-to-time. Meanwhile, people (especially cal level, yield a great potential to make a difference in
local people) tend to stick with their priorities. the community and build considerable support for the
future of choral music.
Mlynczak (NAMM): The NAMM Foundation sup- One thing is clear: one-sided partnerships are rarely
ports the Best Communities for Music Education pro- successful. As the interviewees suggested, the develop-
gram. For over twenty-five years, this designation has ment of successful partnerships—especially with col-
celebrated districts and individual schools for their laborators outside the arts sector—require mutual goal
support and commitment to music and music educa- setting, shared roles and responsibilities, and bench-
tion, as well as their efforts to ensure access to music marks for success. Prioritizing the local community’s
for all students as part of a well-rounded education. needs is especially key, and providing opportunities for
While the Foundation does not provide direct grants stakeholder buy-in maximizes the potential for lasting
to schools or organizations, working as a community to change and impact.
obtain this designation nurtures the local narrative sur- As inherently communal entities, choirs have the
rounding music and music education and strengthens a ability to bring people together, build lasting relation-
compelling case for funding opportunities. ships, and collectively create something remarkable.
The possibility of partnerships—especially with orga-
nizations outside the realm of the arts—unlocks oppor-
What advice would you give a choral leader who tunities for new audiences, community investment, and
aspires to develop more impactful collabora- lasting impact.
tions with their choir?

42 CHORAL JOURNAL October 2024 Volume 65 Number 3