Twin Cities Opera Guild has excelled at introducing students to opera and quality music since 1952. We are dedicated to cultivating music education and outreach, both in the schools and for the general public. As an all-volunteer non-profit organization, we rely on our members and friends to help us fund our grants for music education.
Message from the TCOG President, Colleen Nelson Banner
On a very cold February 12, we enjoyed Valentine cheer and a most lively and entertaining performance during our Members & Friends lunch at Midland Hills Golf Club which featured soprano Siena Forest, tenor Scott Brunscheen, and accompanist Celeste Marie Johnson. We had a good turnout and saw lots of smiles and Valentine red in the audience. Many thanks to all who braved the cold and enjoyed the afternoon with us.
As we look ahead to spring, please keep in mind two more upcoming events; they are two of our most festive events and it's never below zero or snowing when they occur. First, our annual Spring Benefit at Interlachen Country Club on Tuesday, May 20, which is a spring and floral themed fundraiser. The second is our annual Party in Pink, which is not a fundraiser but is a fun summer day to wear and enjoy all things pink on Wednesday, July 15, at the North Oaks Golf Club. A reminder to all that you are welcome to attend our events, whether or not you're a member. The more the merrier.
As winter wanes and spring waxes, I encourage you to take in not only our events, but the public facing events of our grantees as well. You’ll find links to many of our grantees’ websites in the About/Other Sites of Interest link here on our website. Thanks to all for continuing to help us bring opera and music education to young people which in turn grooms future audiences and supports our area opera and music industry.
A national pioneer in opera education for children
How we make it happen
Our grants fund:
- Delightful musical productions in-school, staged and performed by students -- in both the cast and orchestra
- Interactive in-school student programs conducted by professional singers and musicians
- After-school music programs for children, including student choirs
- Special student matinees at operas produced by the Minnesota Opera
- Summer music programs for children
Coming events
Spring Benefit |
Tuesday May 20, 2025 |
Mark your calendar | |
Party in Pink |
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025 |
Mark your calendar | |
Candlelight Dinner |
Saturday Oct 18, 2025 |
Mark your calendar |
Impact
(over the past 5 years)
In the past five years our organization:
- Served a total of 96,890 children
- Served children from ages three through college
- Granted funds to an average of 25 organizations and schools each year
- Gave grants totaling $384,970
Grants that enrich our youth
School children are the principal beneficiaries of our funds. During the last past five years, we have funded programs bringing music education to more than 96,890 children, both in the seven-county metropolitan area and throughout the state of Minnesota, western Wisconsin and eastern North Dakota.
Twice each year (Fall and Winter), we review applications for new education grants.