In the fall of 2024, NEWVoices presented “Immigration Stories—Rise to New Opportunities,” a powerful choral concert that explored the immigrant experience through music. Held at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, the concert, drawing nearly 600 attendees, was made possible with support from the Community Vision Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.  

“The Community Vision Fund is dedicated to supporting programs that foster understanding and bring people together. This concert provided an opportunity to reflect on our shared histories and experiences, strengthening our community through music,” said Carolyn Desrosiers, Director of Community Engagement for the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. 

Immigration Stories—Rise to New Opportunities featured commission works by Filipino composer Saunder Choi and American composer John Muehleisen. Choi, an immigrant himself, created a piece that explored the journey of embracing cultural identity. At the same time, Muehleisen’s Borders examined the complex history of immigration through an intricate blend of musical influences.  

The choir, comprised of 140 singers included collaborations with high school students, the Appleton Boy Choir, and the Lawerence Community Girl Choir, offering young singers a meaningful opportunity to engage with professional composers. Additionally, community partners such as CARES Fox Cities and Hope & Help Together provided educational resources, expanding the concert’s impact beyond music.  

NEWVoices is dedicated to presenting high-quality choral music that inspires and engages Northeast Wisconsin. The ensemble, composed of 80 auditioned singers, brings music to life through thematic programming that addresses community issues and fosters collaboration.  

“One of the things I love about the NEWVoices choir is that they really are mission-driven and want to make an impact in the community with not just pretty music, but with music and texts that can affect and change people, all the while doing so with excellence. Our Immigration Stories concert is an example of this,” said Valerie Simonsen, Executive Director of NEWVoices. “The musical score and the topic were challenging for our choir and our audience, but we all leaned into it and left the concert affected in numerous ways by the music and texts. It truly was a powerful experience, and I am so proud of the choir for their commitment to musical excellence and storytelling.” 

Through partnerships and innovative programming, NEWVoices continues to provide transformative musical experiences. To learn more about the upcoming 2025 season and future performances, visit newvoiceschoir.org. 

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