Ron Hatley Commission Fund
Commissions new choral works from living composers and brings their premieres to Florida audiences.
During the nearly 20-year history of the Festival Singers of Florida, there have been several initiatives that began as dreams. In 2015, we decided to bring the Nairobi Chamber Chorus to the United States so they could share the joy of African choral music with choirs throughout the southeast, and in 2016 we began the AVoice4Peace initiative. We have programmed music with instrumentalists that has challenged our budget. When these challenges seemed overwhelming, Ron Hatley has provided the hope we have needed to move forward with our dreams. He served as host and driver for the Nairobi Chamber Chorus tour, befriending each member of that ensemble, and he has done the same with members of the Festival Singers of Florida.
Choral music is a living art form, and the Ron Hatley Commission Fund is how the Festival Singers keeps adding to it — commissioning composers working today and premiering their work for Florida audiences. Commissioned works stay in the repertoire long after the premiere, performed by choirs well beyond this ensemble.
Our goal is to raise $3,000 a year that the ensemble will use to commission composers in the future. Ron celebrates in possibilities and we believe that the Ron Hatley Commission Fund will allow us to continue to enhance the choral art!
Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.