HomeMy WebLinkAboutVIII-13 Approve Arts Event Grant - River Valley ChoraleCity Council Memorandum
To:Mayor Fasbender and City Council
From:Alex Menke, Economic Development Coordinator
Date:August 18, 2025
Item:Arts Event Grant Program Application Approval –River Valley Chorale
Council Action(s)Requested:
1)Adopt Resolution approving grant funding for River Valley Chorale. A simple majority
is necessary for action.
History
River Valley Chorale has applied for the newly created Arts Event Grant Program, seeking
funding assistance to put on one concert in 2025. This concert is scheduled for December 14th.
The funds will be used to pay for auditorium rental fees, director fees, music scores, and
publicity.
Budget
The Applicant estimates that both concerts will cost a total of $3,842.50. The grant would fund
up to half of that, with a maximum of $1,000.00. These funds would come out of the Arts and
Culture Commission’s budget.
Commission Discussion
At the August 13th meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission, the application was reviewed
and discussed, with the Commission recommending approval by the Council on a 6-0 vote in the
affirmative. Commissioner McCoy abstained from the vote given his position on the Board for
River Valley Chorale.
Attachments
-Resolution –Arts Event Grant Program –River Valley Chorale
-Arts Event Grant Program Application –River Valley Chorale
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This instrument drafted by:
City of Hastings
101 East 4thStreet
Hastings, MN 55033
HASTINGS CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO.______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HASTINGS APPROVING ARTS EVENT GRANT
PROGRAM GRANT FOR RIVER VALLEY CHORALE
WHEREAS, On May 5th, 2025 Hastings City Council adopted an Arts Event Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, an application was received from Kathy Warren, representing River Valley Chorale
(“Applicant”)to support one concert event planned for the year 2025; and
WHEREAS, the total eligible expenses for the proposed events have a projected cost of
$3,842.50 (“Expected Cost”); and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that there may be changes in the Expected Cost and the final cost
(“Final Event Cost”); and
WHEREAS, the Arts Event Grant Program requires a 1:1 match of private dollars to any grant
dollars provided by the City up to the maximum amount allowed by the City; and
WHEREAS, grant dollars shall be disbursed in a reimbursement fashion once the Applicant has
completed each event; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant shall submit receipts for reimbursement within (3) three months of the
latest event dates or face forfeiture of the grant funds in their entirety unless an extension is requested
and approved by the City; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Council of the City of Hastings approves of an
arts event program grant to River Valley Chorale in the amount of one-half of the Final Event Cost up to
a maximum of $1,000.
ADOPTED BY THE HASTINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS 18TH DAY OF AUGUST 2025.
Mary Fasbender, Mayor
Kelly Murtaugh,
City Clerk
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HASTINGS ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION ARTS EVENT GRANT PROGRAM
APPLICATION
SECTION 1:GROUP CONTACT INFORMATION
Organization Name:
Organization Description:
Organization Site Address:
City / State /Zip:
Primary Application Contact Person(s):
Primary Contact Person(s)Phone:
Primary Contact Person(s)Email:
Secondary Contact Person Phone (if applicable):
Secondary Contact Person Email (if applicable):
SECTION 2: PROJECT OVERVIEW
Proposed Event Date:
Site Reservation:$
Entertainer/Artist Fees:$
Materials: $
Other (attach description)$
Total Costs $
SECTION 3: PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Please provide a brief summary of the proposed event and how it will contribute to the arts community in
the City
River Valley Chorale
Hastings Community Choir, open to High School students and adults
Hastings, MN 55033
Kathy Warren
kwarrenhms@gmail.com
ryanmccoy24@gmail.com
1112.50
2730
3842.50
1807 Market Blvd #140, Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 503-3098
(651) 592-4035
December 14, 2025
The funds from this grant will help the River Valley Chorale pay for music and rental space for our winter concert on
Sunday, December 14, 2025. Receiving these funds will allow us to keep our yearly membership dues for our choir members
from being raised, thereby ensuring that finances do not become a barrier to participation. It also allows us to maintain
concerts that are free to the public rather than charging admission. The choir and our concerts have been incredibly successful
both in terms of membership, impact, and community support. The choir had a first-season membership of over 70 people
and high concert attendance. Hastings has a strong tradition of choral music excellence, and the ensemble has given our residents
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River Valley Chorale:Arts Event Grant Program Proposal
Event:River Valley Chorale Winter Concert - Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 2pm. Rehearsals held at Hastings Middle School and Hastings High School, with a performance held at Hastings High School. The concert is presented by RVC with collaboration from River Valley Band and River Valley Community Orchestra, featuring songs of winter and holiday celebrations. The concert is free to attend for the public.
Site Reservation: Hastings Community Education has increased their rental rates, effective June 2025. RVC is classified as a Class III group. The rental rates are below. The choir will have 11 rehearsals in a music room (2.5 hrs each) for a total of 27.5 hours, costing $550. They will also use the HHS auditorium for one dress rehearsal and performance, totaling 5.5 hours, costing $412.50. There is a custodial overtime charge for the concert date of $50 per hour, meaning a $150 charge. The total rental cost for the winter concert is $1112.50.
Materials: The choir will have 11-12 pieces in their winter concert. A single choral octavo (piece of music) can cost as little as $2.50 or as much as $4.00, averaging a per piece cost of $3.25. Planning for an ensemble of comparable size to last year, we will need 70 octavos for each song done. With 11-12 songs being performed, that gives us a cost range for music of $2502.50 to $2730. This does not include the cost of instrumentation packages for the instrumentalists playing with us, which can cost an additional $20-$60 per song package.
Summary: If the River Valley Chorale were to receive this grant, it would cover approximately one-third of the the cost for our winter concert and would help us greatly in keeping the ensemble affordable for our membership and our concerts free for our audiences.
Thank you for considering our application.
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