Support Us
As we approach Giving Tuesday 2023, we are excited to share the rich history and ongoing mission of The Legend Singers, the oldest continuously performing choral ensemble in the United States since its founding by Dr. Kenneth Brown Billups in 1940.
The mission of The Legend Singers is to
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Perform and preserve the music and performance practices of African Americans;
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Perform music by non-African American composers who have been influenced by African American music forms and performance practices;
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Develop outreach programs that educate the community and public and to continue the tradition of excellence in artistic performance of African American choral music.
Your support on Giving Tuesday is crucial to sustaining and expanding our mission. For as little as:
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$25: You can help purchase a music stand, providing essential support for our performances.
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$50: You can assist with acquiring music for the season, enhancing the depth and variety of our repertoire.
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$100: You can contribute to the purchase of much-needed new uniforms for choir members, ensuring their comfort and pride in our performances.
Join us on this Giving Tuesday to be a part of something truly legendary. Your contribution ensures that The Legend Singers' timeless melodies continue to resonate for generations to come.
The Legend Singers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We have specific needs to which charitable donations may be directed. The Legend Singers makes conscious decisions that affect and support our greater community.
Donate
We rely on the generous support of people like you to help make the music happen and to reach audiences. If you’ve left a concert moved, if you’ve danced in the aisles, if you’ve sung your heart out, if you’ve been inspired by our community outreach, then consider making a contribution. Donations can be made online, by mail, or in person, and could be in the form of a:
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One time donation
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Donation in honor of someone special, or
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Recurring donation
Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. You can make your gift go even further if your company participates in a donation matching program. Contact your HR department about your company’s program and let us know if you need any specific information.
Other ways to support us:
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Become a sponsor (see below)
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Purchase The Legend Singers apparel and merchandise. Click Here!
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Employer Matching, Does your employer match charitable gifts?
Ask your employer to match your donation to The Legend Singers and you could double the power of your contribution! Please check with your Human Resources staff to learn if your organization has a workplace matching program. -
You can also easily support us at Amazon Smile for all your Amazon purchases and selecting "The Legend Singers" as your charity! Amazon will donate 0.5% of your order total to The Legend Singers.
Sponsor
As a sponsor of The Legend Singers, you are aligning your brand with The Legend Singers Choral Ensemble, which offers a unique opportunity to underwriters. This historic St. Louis institution is the epicenter for performance and learning of the national treasure with international impact, the negro spiritual. As vanguards of the music of black American composers and arrangers the Legend Singers have been performing for audiences for over well over 80 years making us the nation's oldest choral ensemble whose mission is to preserve the indigenous music of black and black American choral writers. Underwriters with charitable or marketing interests in furthering cultural enrichment and education assume an important role in making a difference that matters for people who value music, the arts, and humanities.
SEASON UNDERWRITER | $30,000 LIMITED TO 1 SPONSOR
Underwriting the concert season is a rewarding way to ensure the future of The Legend Singers, its outreaches and programs by providing general support for The Legend Singer activities. You will receive 10 complimentary tickets to the season finale along with a full color ad in our season programs. In addition, your logo will be displayed on the program cover, season promotional items, prominently on The Legend Singers website Our Sponsor page, and on all promotional materials.
SOULFUL SOUNDS OF THE SEASON CHRISTMAS CONCERT UNDERWRITER | $10,000
Is the Christmas concert your favorite? Become the primary sponsor of the annual Christmas concert and receive 4 complimentary tickets to the season finale and a half page color ad in our season programs. Your donation of $10,000 will help cover all the costs associated with the production, from hall rental fees to props and music. You will receive 5 complimentary tickets to the season finale along with a full color ad in our season program. In addition, your logo will be displayed on the program cover, and on The Legend Singers website and on all promotional materials.
ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUALS | $10,000
For $10,000 you can sponsor the region’s only festival that focuses on the art of the Negro spiritual. You will receive a full-page color ad along with special recognition in our season programs and a reception with the choir after the concert. Your donation supports The Legend Singers free outreach for underserved children living in the St. Louis metropolitan area. You will receive 5 complimentary tickets to the season finale along with a full color ad in our season program. In addition, your logo will be displayed on the program cover, The Legend Singers website Our Sponsors page and on all promotional materials.
"JUNE-A-LATIONS" A STAGED CHORAL CONCERT | $10,000
Our season finale and large-scale production. This large-scale program celebrates the music of jazz, blues, gospel, and many other musical traditions. "June-a-lations" is a musical tribute to the ever-evolving artistic and musical contributions of black Americans from the era of enslaved Africans to the modern-day music artists. You will receive 5 complimentary tickets to the season finale along with a full color ad in our season program. In addition, your logo will be displayed on the program cover, The Legend Singers website Our Sponsors page and on all promotional materials.
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
The Legend Singers have existed since 1940. This could not have happened without the generosity of our partners and corporate champions to ensure that we were able to adequately secure channels to resources to host the highest quality in musical performances. Your donation is needed to help The Legend Singers continue this legacy of great music.
Your tax-deductible donations will support essentials such as:
Facilities for rehearsals and concerts
Staffing our organization
Music/score preparation
Hiring instrumentalists
Public relations and advertising
Graphic design and concert programs
And much more!
BILLUPS CIRCLE | $20,000
The late Dr. Kenneth Brown Billups, mission and vision for The Legends Singers was to: perform and preserve the music and performance practices of African Americans; perform music by non-African American composers who have been influenced by African American music forms and performance practices; develop outreach programs that educate the community and public and to continue the tradition of excellence in artistic performance of African American choral music. The Billups Circle sponsorships affords corporations who desire to see the vision and mission of Dr. Billups live on for generations to come. Sponsorship benefits include recognition in print media and online, logo visibility, signage, concerts tickets, and on-site displays; 10 tickets to our season finale.
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE | $10,000
Members of the Director's Circle become a part of the very core of our organization and are enthusiastic and dedicated advocates of the choir. Director’s Circle members offer invaluable support to the artistic director, which in turn allows the development and implementation of some to the choir’s most exceptional and inspirational projects including new commissions, recordings and much more. Promotions include print materials, website and emails, social media channels, signage, and high visibility at the event; 8 tickets to our season finale.
COMPOSERS CIRCLE | $5,000
A donation of $5000 or more to our music library will help defray music and licensing fees which run about $5,000 annually. Reap the benefits of your contribution with two complimentary tickets and special thanks in our season program. Corporate sponsors receive recognition through our website, emails, and social media channels; in concert programs distributed in St. Louis metropolitan area and through signage at public events and collateral print materials; 4 tickets to our season finale.
PATRONS OF THE LEGENDS | $1,000
Patrons’ Circle is an active group of music lovers and enthusiasts who are committed to supporting the Legend Singers innovative programs and efforts. Their membership support provides critical annual operating funds that continue to make The Legend Singers a vital part of the St. Louis community. Corporate sponsors receive recognition through our website, emails, and social media channels; in concert programs distributed in St. Louis metropolitan area and through signage at public events and collateral print materials; two tickets to our season finale.
Thank You
We are grateful for the financial support received from our friends and sponsors over the many years since our inception in 1940. It is truly the generosity of these individuals and businesses which allows us to go about our mission to perform and preserve the music and performance practices of African Americans; perform music by non-African American composers who have been influenced by African American music forms and performance practices; develop outreach programs that educate the community and public and to continue the tradition of excellence in artistic performance of African American choral music.
Thank you to our singers, board members, audience, donors, and supporters!