The University Musical Society (UMS) is a

not-for-profit A not-for-profit or non-for-profit organization (NFPO) is a Legal Entity, legal entity that does not distribute surplus funds to its members and is formed to fulfill specific objectives. While not-for-profit organizations and Nonprofit organ ...

performing arts presenter located on the

campus A campus traditionally refers to the land and buildings of a college or university. This will often include libraries, lecture halls, student centers and, for residential universities, residence halls and dining halls. By extension, a corp ...

of the

University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the List of municipalities in Michigan, fifth-most populous cit ...

. It was established in December 1880. While UMS is affiliated with the

and is a regular collaborator with many university units, UMS supports itself through ticket sales, foundation and government grants, corporate and individual contributions, and endowment income. UMS now hosts approximately 75 performances and more than 100 educational events each season. UMS presents performances in different venues located in

Ann Arbor Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the List of municipalities in Michigan, fifth-most populous cit ...

, each particularly suited to the events that occur there. These venues are not owned or operated by UMS and are rented for each performance.

History

UMS was founded locally in

, by local townspeople, university faculty, staff, and students who came together to perform

Messiah (Handel) ''Messiah'' (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. The text was compiled from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Bible, Coverdale Psalter by Charles Jennens. It was first performed in Dublin on ...

. Their first performance of Handel's Messiah was done in December 1879. The group was led by Professor Henry Simmons Frieze and conducted by Professor Calvin Cady, and they called themselves The Choral Union. Since then, the Messiah has been performed annually by the group during the holiday season. Many members of the newly founded Choral Union were also affiliated with the university. For this reason, the University Musical Society was established in December 1880. UMS included both the University Orchestra and Choral Union. Throughout the year, the groups presented a series of

concerts A concert, often known informally as a gig or show, is a live performance of music in front of an audience. The performance may be carried by a single musician, in which case it is sometimes called a recital, or by a musical ensemble such as an ...

that featured their two groups as well as local and visiting performing artists. UMS has continued to grow and bring in performing artists, including internationally renowned orchestras, dance and chamber ensembles,

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

Opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

, and

Theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

. This year marks UMS' 144th season. UMS's current president is Matthew VanBesien, former president of the New York Philharmonic.

Mission statement

To inspire individuals and enrich communities by connecting

audiences An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature (in which they are called "readers"), theatre, music (in which they are called "listeners"), video games (in which they are called "players"), or ...

and artists in uncommon and engaging experiences.

References

External links

Official site

About
{{Authority control Music organizations based in the United States University of Michigan Performing arts in Michigan 1880 establishments in Michigan Musical groups established in 1880