When June 18th arrives this year, it will be the start of a four-day festival that will bring hundreds of people together from the United States, Canada and Switzerland for Saengerfest 2015. While it is true that the event begins on that day, this upcoming event is really the culmination of years of planning and preparation by the Saengerfest Organizing Committee and many others in New Glarus and Green County.

Beginning with a series of discussions starting in November of 2011 by several people from the New Glarus community, the decision was made to formally volunteer to host Saengerfest 2015. At the last Saengerfest, held in Kitchener, Ontario, in Canada, the Männerchor New Glarus was named the official host of the upcoming Saengerfest. As soon as that event in 2012 concluded, planning for 2015 began and the organizing committee was formed. After a series of meetings, the songbook was produced and shared with NASSA member choirs, housing arrangements were made with area hotels, facilities were contacted and menus were considered. More recently activities included the gathering of the information necessary to accommodate several hundred people representing the NASSA member choirs, as well as guest performers from Switzerland. Currently details include ensuring that there are enough available chairs, tables, stage pieces, lighting, pianos, people, wine, beer, dishes, silverware, glasses and hundreds of other details to make the event successful.

Another important consideration for the organization of such of an event is securing the finances necessary. For several months, many area businesses and individuals have agreed to be sponsors of Saengerfest 2015. These sponsors have provided the finances and in-kind materials necessary to get the ball rolling but there is still much more to do before the festival begins. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or advertising in the Souvenir Book that will be given to every person that attends, this is the time to get involved. For more information on becoming a sponsor or advertiser, please contact Nancy Streiff, Dave Wyttenbach or the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce.

Another opportunity to support Saengerfest 2015 financially is to make a donation using the crowd funding campaign hosted by nVest Wisconsin. To access information, or to make a donation, please visit the Saengerfest 2015 Facebook page or the Saengerfest website at http://www.saengerfest2015.com. Here you will find a link to an informational video featuring Dave Wyttenbach and Nancy Streiff, listing of rewards for donating and an opportunity to make a protected on-line donation.

We sincerely wish to thank all of our sponsors and encourage you to thank them in person. To view a complete listing of current sponsors, visit the Saengerfest 2015 website at http://www.saengerfest2015.com.