Milwaukee Children's Choir is merging with Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read
The Milwaukee Children’s Choir performed before the inauguration of the state's constitutional officers at the Capitol in Madison on Jan. 3, 2023. To ensure its survival, the choir is merging with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
The Milwaukee Children’s Choir performed before the inauguration of the state's constitutional officers at the Capitol in Madison on Jan. 3, 2023. To ensure its survival, the choir is merging with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

To ensure its survival, the Milwaukee Children's Choir is merging with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

Boards of directors of both groups have approved the merger, which takes effect immediately.

"We are grateful to WCM for clearing a path to the continued programming and mission that generations of MCC families have known and loved," choir board president Austyn Alt said in a statement announcing the merger.

Founded in 1994 by composer and educator Emily Crocker, MCC offers choral education and performance experiences for children ages 4 through 18. At its past peak, it served about 450 children, said conservatory president and chief executive officer Eric Tillich.

But the choir has been in financial distress, and the pandemic was devastating for a group whose mission is choral singing, he said.

The conservatory, which dates back to 1899, serves more than 1,000 students annually through private instruction and group activities in three locations, including its east side home at 1584 N. Prospect Ave. WCM also provides music education to nearly 10,000 students through community partnerships with schools, senior centers and day cares.

Eric Tillich, president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
Eric Tillich, president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music

The latter connections are key to Tillich's vision of growth for the choir.

"I want to see more kids … involved with choral programming in Milwaukee. And the other piece of this puzzle is, I want to see more diversity," he said. "I want kids from all backgrounds, all socioeconomic backgrounds, singing together."

In its work with charter, choice and public schools, the conservatory "has been trying to create pathways for those kids in those classrooms that want to keep pursuing their musical education," Tillich said. With that in mind, the conservatory has found ways to increase financial assistance for students who need it for conservatory programs.

He plans the same approach going forward with the choir.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Children's Choir merges with Wisconsin Conservatory of Music