Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2015

The University of Evansville has received a $60,000, three-year grant from the William E. Schmidt Foundation for the Schmidt Opera Series and Opera Outreach Program. The Schmidt Opera Series will expand to include two annual full-scale main stage productions, the use of an orchestra during the spring production, and an increased budget for costume, set design, and other technical elements.

Through the Schmidt Opera Outreach Program, UE’s Department of Music will be able to increase visibility for the Schmidt Opera Series through off-campus performances. UE plans to bring opera to students across the Tri-State area in their schools, the elderly in nursing homes, and in run-out performances in the Evansville community.

The University would like to thank the William E. Schmidt Foundation for their commitment to the arts, and the generosity of their grant. As one of only a handful of universities that offer an undergraduate opera theater program, UE is proud to be able to give students the opportunity to hone their craft while simultaneously bringing music and performance to the greater Evansville community.

“The University of Evansville Opera has benefited through the years from the generosity of the William E. Schmidt Foundation, and the growth of our program can be attributed to this support,” says Alanna Keenan, UE assistant professor of music. “The impact on our students will be tremendous as they will benefit from an expansion in repertoire, the opportunity to sing operatic roles with orchestra, and the possibility of receiving one-on-one coaching in performance.”

“We have a rich tradition of creating opera on campus,” Keenan says, “and this grant will positively impact our mission as we strive to bring opera into the Tri-State.”

Share this article: