Societyof the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor District Library

University Musical Societyof the University of Michigan
The goal of the University Musical Society
(UMS) is clear: to engage, educate, and
serve Michigan audiences by bringing to
our community an ongoing series of world-class
artists, who represent the diverse spectrum of
today's vigorous and exciting live performing
arts world. Over its 119 years, strong leader­
ship coupled with a devoted community have
placed UMS in a league of internationally-
recognized performing arts presenters. Today,
the UMS seasonal program is a reflection of a
thoughtful respect for this rich and varied his­
tory, balanced by a commitment to dynamic
and creative visions of where the performing
arts will take us in the next millenium. Every
day UMS seeks to cultivate, nurture and stim­
ulate public interest and participation in every
facet of the live arts.
The Musical Society grew from a group of
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University
Musical Society
Resident @#rtorneys
John C. Blattner
Robert A. Boonin
John H. Dudley, Jr.
Robert B. Foster
J. Michael Huget
James L. Hughes
Leonard M. Niehoff
Robin S. Phillips
Marissa W. Rollick
Jordan S. Schreier
James E. Stewart
Butzel Long
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS
Ann Arbor Detroit Birmingham Lansing Grosse Pointe Farms
and Boca Raton, Florida
local university and townspeople who gath­
ered together for the study of Handel's
Messiah. Led by Professor Henry Frieze and
conducted by Professor Calvin Cady, the
group assumed the name The Choral Union.
Their first performance of Handel's Messiah
was in December of 1879, and this glorious
oratorio has since been performed by the
UMS Choral Union annually.
As a great number of Choral Union
members also belonged to the University, the
University Musical Society was established in
December 1880. The Musical Society included
the Choral Union and University Orchestra,
and throughout the year presented a series of
concerts featuring local and visiting artists
and ensembles.
Since that first season in 1880, UMS has
expanded greatly and now presents the very
best from the full spectrum of the performing
arts — internationally renowned recitalists and
orchestras, dance and chamber ensembles, jazz
and world music performers, and opera and
theatre. Through educational endeavors, com­
missioning of new works, youth programs,
artists residencies and other collaborative pro­
jects, UMS has maintained its reputation for
quality, artistic distinction and innovation.
The Musical Society now hosts over 70 concerts
and more than 150 educational events each
season. UMS has flourished with the support
of a generous community which gathers in
Hill and Rackham Auditoria, the Power Center,
the Michigan Theater, St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic Church, the Museum of Art and the
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre.
While proudly affiliated with the University
of Michigan, housed on the Ann Arbor campus,
and a regular collaborator with many University
units, the Musical Society is a separate not-for-
profit organization, which supports itself from
ticket sales, corporate and individual contribu­
tions, foundation and government grants, and
endowment income.