History of Our Voice Milwaukee
Our Voice Milwaukee was originally known as City of Festivals Men's Chorus. This chorus was formed by members of an original Men's Chorus called Men's Voices Milwaukee. The chorus has a rich history being an active part of the LGBT community in Milwaukee.
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As the City of Festivals Men's Chorus revisited their mission, they adopted a name change to Our Voice Milwaukee (OVM) and charted a strategic path forward, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic restricted engagement, the members continued to engage with the community, virtually, and raised funds to support the operations post COVID.
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More recently, the chorus has brought David Hein as the Artistic Director. With the first concert post-COVID featuring just 11 singers, the chorus has flourished in 2 years, growing to over 50 singing members and 10 non-singing members.
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In 2024, OVM is traveling with our sibling chorus, Perfect Harmony Chorus to GALA Festival with a contingent of 40 members representing just under half of the combined memberships of our two choruses.
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We are looking forward to what is next for Our Voice Milwaukee!
Notable Members
Ken Forney
Founding Artistic Director Emeritus
Ken Forney was with Our Voice Milwaukee since our inception. In addition, he was also Director of Music Ministry at Bristol Lutheran Church in Sun Prarie. Ken often worked with local musicians and choral groups as a clinician. He actively worked as one of our main points of contact as we built community through song. His proudest achievements include the many partnerships Our Voice Milwaukee has successfully undertaken through our first 4 seasons including the nationwide It Gets Better Tour, One Voice Mixed Chorus of Minneapolis, and locally Women’s Voices Milwaukee, SAGE, the Milwaukee LGBT Center and many more. Ken is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater with emphasis in Piano Performance and Choral Music. He is now living in California.
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Mary Schuett
Accompanist in Memoriam
Mary Schuett was Our Voice Milwaukee's beloved Accompanist and our biggest cheerleader who suddenly passed away in February 2016.
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Forever in our hearts, Mary was much loved by the chorus and will be remembered. Succeeded, but never replaced.
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To honor her life and spirit, the Mary Schuett Spirit Award was created to recognize members, both singing and non-singing, for their contributions to Our Voice Milwaukee. This award is given for displaying patience, love, understanding, acceptance, and, like Mary herself, willingness to show passion and devote extensive time in support of the chorus and its mission.