This is a reflection of letters just sent to our governor, lieutenant governor and local state senators and representatives.
I am writing to thank you for your support of the arts in our state. I am writing on behalf of the 60 voice Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota. Legacy has a 20-year history of providing professional quality music from numerous genres, ancient to contemporary. Legacy singers come from 20 area communities. Centered in Brainerd, Legacy traditionally offers two concert series per year with three presentations of each series. One concert is always performed in Brainerd/Baxter and the others rotate through a dozen Central Minnesota communities. There is no charge for admission. Legacy also performs in various community events.
The past two years have presented huge challenges to Legacy and all area performing arts groups. COVID-19 could have rung a death knell for many of these nonprofit groups. However, because of the grant support of The Minnesota State Arts Board and The Five Wings Arts Council, via Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment, and the support of state and federal funding for PPE and PPP, along with community support, Legacy has not only survived, but been able to safely provide ongoing concert presentations. First, canceled concerts, then online, and more recently combined on-site and on-line concerts reaching viewers all over the U.S. Legacy’s last concert took place in Brainerd’s brand new Gichi-Ziibi Center for the Arts. Tremendous partnership funding has certainly also helped to bring that amazing facility to our community.
So, thank you for the support you, Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, our legislators and the State of Minnesota have given and continue to give to encourage, sustain and even grow the performing arts here in Central Minnesota and throughout the state. Thousands of Minnesotans have been blessed by this work.
Darrell J. Pedersen
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Volunteer Grant Writing Team
Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota
Baxter
