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Last Updated: 5/1/2017 11:04:57 AM

City Singers Children's Choirs

P.O. Box 73504

Richmond VA 23235

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Summary
Mission & Areas Served
Governance
Management
Programs
Financials

Mission Statement

To inspire the highest level of artistic choral performance while bringing together youth of the greater Richmond area in a joyful appreciation of their ethnic, religious and cultural diversity. The organization is committed to making its choral education experience available to qualified singers regardless of their economic situations.

Web and Social Media

Web Site http://www.citysingerschoir.org

Facebook

Twitter

Video

Washington, DC

City Singers 2013 tour

Multi-Media Comments Our Board of Directors voted in March 2014 to rebrand the organization as City Singers Youth Choirs in order to include our younger singers while showing respect for our older, middle and high school aged performers. During the transition, there will be materials widely available that reflect both the new and the old names, but the organization's mission, staff and governing documents remain the same.

Leadership

CEO/Executive Director Leslie Moruza Dripps

Board Chair Lee Hanchey

Board Chair Company Affiliation Retired

Contact Information

Address P.O. Box 73504

Richmond, VA 23235

Telephone 804 657-7664

Fax 804 657-7667

E-mail citysingers@gmail.com

History and Background

Year of Incorporation 2009

Financial Summary

Projected Revenue $33,090.00

Projected Expenses $33,090.00

Statements

Mission

Impact

Went on tour for the first time in 2013. The choir brought songs from the Civil War era to Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg, Pa. as part of the 150th celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Brought our singers into the recording studio for the first time in 2012, recording vocals for Susan Greenbaum's upcoming album.
Expanded our performing groups from 2 to 4 from 2010 to 2011, successfully incorporating changed and changing male voices in an educationally effective and developmentally appropriate way.
Planned and successfully executed first major fundraising event in 2011.
Designed, developed and implemented new website with improved functionality including online payments and donations, online audition registration, and automatically updated event calendar, improving administration efficiency.

Needs

Supplement tuition income with grants and other funding to allow the organization to offer compensation to our choral directors that is similar to that of comparable regional and national children's community choirs.
Seek grants and other funding to allow for a significant biennial artistic collaboration in the form of a tour or sponsoring a visiting musician/musical group.
Increase visibility in Richmond area through organized marketing campaign utilizing social media, print and radio.
Expand the Board of Directors to provide more support to the teaching and artistic team.
Raise funds to hire a business manager.

Background City Singers Youth Choirs in Richmond, Virginia perform the highest caliber of distinguished children's choral music from the body of classical, traditional, and modern compositions from around the world.

City Singers Youth Choirs consist of four performing vocal groups: City Singers Advanced Ensemble for girls and boys in grades 6 through 12, Neighborhood Singers for grades 2 through 5, Young Women's Ensemble for girls in grades 6-12, and Young Men's Ensemble for boys in grades 6-12.

City Singers Youth Choirs have been bringing Richmond area youth together through song since 1996. Our performance calendar is designed to support the performances of area schools and our singers are encouraged to take active part in their school music programs.

Each year auditions begin in May and are followed by a week-long summer camp in August where singers are introduced to each other and some of their repertoire for the upcoming season. During the school year, singers meet with their choir for 1-2 hours per week (depending on age) and hone their craft.

CEO Statement

Why is it important that our youth learn to sing? You've no doubt heard the valuable arguments for preserving our arts and our heritages, developing future patrons of the arts, increasing test scores and critical thinking, and the innumerable extrinsic benefits of vocal musical study, but at the end of the day these pale in comparison to the core reason I do what I do.

I teach young people to sing because singing makes them stronger. Young people who learn to sing have, whether they know it or not, set out on a grand journey which will teach them powerful life lessons. Singers learn to overcome fear of rejection in favor of generously sharing their voices, to value the group's interest above their own, they discover their true gifts and likewise where they must grow, and they walk in another’s shoes as they internalize song texts. Humility, generosity, modesty, honesty, empathy --all developed and encouraged in the practical setting of rehearsals and concerts. These elements combine in a powerful way to build up the young singer into a confident, competent, kind and strong young person.

This singing journey weaves a rich tapestry of character that infuses young lives with what we at City Singers Youth Choirs call ‘the power of song.' The power of song reaches deep into the singer's soul, shakes things up a bit and emerges to be shared with the listener.

We hope you will join us on our journey, through financial, volunteer or audience support. We want to share with the world the marvel our young people are discovering: the power of song!

Leslie M. Dripps

Executive & Artistic Director

City Singers Youth Choirs

Areas of Service

Areas Served

Area
Metro Richmond
Tri-cities Region
Richmond, City
Ashland
Chester
Chesterfield County
Hanover County
Henrico County
Petersburg, City
Colonial Heights, City
Goochland County
Powhatan County

Each choir season, City Singers Youth Choirs enrolls 50 to 70 children in grades 2 through 12 in its choral music education programs. We are a community children’s choir that comprises children from Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, Goochland, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, Powhatan and Varina.

Board Chair

Board Chair Lee Hanchey

Company Affiliation Retired

Term May 2015 to May 2018

Email lghanchey@gmail.com

Board of Directors

Board Members

Name	Affiliation
Lee Hanchey	BrightLights Education Initiative Partnership
Tom Kozusko	CFA CPA
Suzanne Mallory-Parker	CenterStage Foundation
Mary Beth Meyer	Retired
Sharon Potts	Chick Fil A
Troy Svenko	Capital One
David Trace	Community Volunteer
Diane Woodruff	Retired

Board Demographics - Ethnicity

African American/Black 1

Asian American/Pacific Islander 0

Caucasian 5

Hispanic/Latino 0

Native American/American Indian 0

Other 0 0

Board Demographics - Gender

Male 1

Female 5

Unspecified 0

Governance

Board Term Lengths 2

Board Term Limits 0

Board Meeting Attendance % 72

Written Board Selection Criteria? Yes

Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Yes

Percentage Making Monetary Contributions 100

Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions 100

Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 9

Standing Committees


Board Development / Board Orientation
Development / Fund Development / Fund Raising / Grant Writing / Major Gifts
Nominating
Executive
Marketing

Other Boards

The tables below contain information about other groups that advise this nonprofit on operations and projects.

Advisory Board Members

Name	Affiliation
Leslie M Dripps	Executive and Artistic Director, City Singers Children's Choirs
Mara Smith	Director, Neighborhood Singers

Comments

The twentieth anniversary of City Singers Youth Choirs is fast approaching and we want to celebrate with current and former choir members and supporters, and planning for that event is already taking place. We hope that you will continue to support this wonderful choir, our faculty and staff, and help us increase our presence and visibility in the greater Richmond area in order to serve more young singers through the Power of Song!

Executive Director

Executive Director Leslie Moruza Dripps

Experience Leslie Moruza Dripps received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from James Madison University. She has taught choral music at the elementary, middle and high school levels, starting her career in Richmond Public Schools and then later directing the choral program for several years at Chickahominy Middle School in Hanover County. Leslie currently teaches private voice lessons, frequently directs all-area choral ensembles in Virginia and is becoming well known in the area as a clinician. She also is a performing singer-songwriter with her band “Moruza.” Leslie has been teaching with City Singers Youth Choirs since 2007, became artistic director in 2009, and was made executive director in 2011. Leslie directs City Singers Advanced Ensemble and the Young Women’s Ensemble.

Senior Staff

Name	Title
Mara Smith

Staff

Full Time Staff 0

Part Time Staff 0

Volunteers 3

Contractors 3

Retention Rate 100

Plans

Organization has a Fundraising Plan? Under Development

Organization has a Strategic Plan? Yes

Date Strategic Plan Adopted Apr 2013

Management Succession Plan? Under Development

Organization Policy and Procedures Under Development

Programs

City Singers Advanced Ensemble
Young Women's Ensemble
Young Men's Ensemble
Neighborhood Singers Training Choir

City Singers Advanced Ensemble

Description For girls and boys in grades 6-12, a mixed-voice choral performing group.

Population Served Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)

Short Term Success Singers in City Singers Advanced Ensemble master and perform the highest caliber of youth choral repertoire from across the ages and around the world. Singers graduating from the program have received college-prep level vocal music education.

Long Term Success Singers participating in City Singers Advanced Ensemble receive advanced vocal training in a group setting. Participants are inspired to enjoy a lifelong appreciation of music and the arts.

Young Women's Ensemble

Description For girls in grades 6-12, a treble voice performing choral ensemble, and subgroup of the Advanced Ensemble. (All girls in Advanced Ensemble are also members of Young Women's Ensemble.)

Population Served Females

Short Term Success By the end of a performance season, girls in the Young Women's Ensemble will demonstrate mastery of advanced treble voice repertoire, and will display confidence and competence both musically and personally.

Long Term Success Girls participating in the Young Women's Ensemble receive focused vocal training and attention in a group setting that is specific to their vocal needs and abilities. They are able to master and perform a wide variety of repertoire, particularly selections that uniquely speak in the female voice.

Young Men's Ensemble

Description For boys in grades 6-12, a mixed voice performing choral ensemble, and subgroup of the Advanced Ensemble. (All boys in Advanced Ensemble are also members of Young Men's Ensemble.)

Population Served Children and Youth (0 - 19 years)

Short Term Success By the end of a performance season, boys in the Young Men's Ensemble will demonstrate mastery of advanced treble voice repertoire, and will display confidence and competence both musically and personally.

Long Term Success Boys participating in the Young Men's Ensemble receive focused vocal training and attention in a group setting that is specific to their vocal needs and abilities. They are enabled to master and perform a wide variety of repertoire, particularly selections that uniquely speak in the male voice.

Neighborhood Singers Training Choir

Description For boys and girls in grade 2-5, a treble voice performing choral ensemble.

Population Served Children Only (5 - 14 years)

Short Term Success Boys and girls participating in Neighborhood Singers will be inspired in a fun, engaging and encouraging environment to love singing and music. They will be trained in the choral and musical skills required for continued participation in the advanced choirs of City Singers Children's Choirs.

Long Term Success Boys and girls participating in Neighborhood Singers will be inspired to have a lifelong appreciation for music and the arts.

Fiscal Year

Projected Revenue $33,090.00

Projected Expenses $33,090.00

Endowment Value $28,227.00

Spending Policy Income Only

Form 990s


Form 990-N	2016
Form 990-N	2015
Form 990-N	2014
Form 990-N	2013
Form 990-N	2012
Form 990-N	2011
Form 990-N	2010
Form 990-N	2009

Audit Documents


Financial Statements	2016
Profit & Loss Statement	2015
Profit & Loss Statement	2014
Profit & Loss Statement	2013
Profit & Loss Statement	2012
Profit & Loss Statement	2011
Profit & Loss Statement	2010
Treasurer's Report	2009

IRS Letter of Exemption


501C3 Letter

Detailed Financials

Revenue and Expenses

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Total Revenue	$38,190	$32,051	$57,896
Total Expenses	$38,356	$30,984	$28,142

Revenue Sources

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Foundation and Corporation Contributions	--	--	--
Government Contributions	$0	$1,000	$0
Federal	--	--	--
State	--	--	--
Local	--	--	--
Unspecified	--	$1,000	--
Individual Contributions	$38,190	$9,623	$34,166
Indirect Public Support HelpIndirect public support represents revenue received through solicitation campaigns. This includes funding United Way and other federated fundraising organizations, but does not include donor designated contributions.	--	--	--
Earned Revenue HelpEarned revenue represents income generated in direct exchange for a product or service.Earned income includes income from government contracts.	--	$21,429	$18,512
Investment Income, Net of Losses	--	--	--
Membership Dues	--	--	--
Special Events	--	--	$5,218
Revenue In-Kind	--	--	--
Other	--	--	--

Expense Allocation

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Program Expense	$36,161	$30,109	$27,402
Administration Expense	$1,600	$875	$740
Fundraising Expense	$595	--	--
Payments to Affiliates	--	--	--
Total Revenue/Total Expenses	1.00	1.03	2.06
Program Expense/Total Expenses	94%	97%	97%
Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue	2%	0%	0%

Assets and Liabilities

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Total Assets	$43,604	$41,702	$41,167
Current Assets	$12,755	$41,702	$41,167
Long-Term Liabilities	$0	$0	--
Current Liabilities	$200	$0	--
Total Net Assets	$43,404	$41,702	$41,167

Short Term Solvency

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities	63.78	--	--

Long Term Solvency

Fiscal Year	2016	2015	2014
Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets	0%	0%	0%

Capital Campaign

Currently in a Capital Campaign? No

Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next 5 Years? Yes

State Charitable Solicitaions Permit

Solicitations Permit


Solicitations Permit 9/2015	View

Comments

Organization Comments

City Singers Children's Choirs files a Form 990-N (e-postcard). For more information about our income and expenses, please see attached copies of our year end Profit and Loss Statements.

Foundation Comments

Form 990 and financial statements prepared internally by the organization.
Financial analysis performed with financial statements.