The Apollo Chorus of Chicago is excited to present its annual Apollo After Hours cabaret night and silent auction on April 12, 2019, to support Apollo’s musical and community outreach programs. All proceeds go to support the chorus, but we can’t do it without your help! As members of the chorus, we are writing to request your support in the form of a tax-deductible donation to our silent auction or sponsorship.

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago is the area's premier volunteer choir and one of the oldest musical ensembles in the United States. Its 125-plus auditioned members include men and women of all ages, races, creeds, and occupations brought together by their love of singing. The singers’ dedication, artistry, and passion produce performances of unrivaled majesty. As a volunteer community chorus bound together since 1872 by a shared love of choral music, the chorus continually strives to advance musically and to increase appreciation of choral music by presenting concerts and educational outreach programs for diverse communities throughout Chicagoland.

We want to be able to continue the tradition of providing music with artistry and passion to our listeners. This is where you can help. The donation of a gift certificate or other silent auction item(s) or services on which guests can bid helps us ensure that our rich tradition of music-making continues. Any donation is appreciated–a successful auction is dependent upon items both small and large in value.

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago plays a vital role in the life of our thriving city, as it has for almost 140 years. Like our regional business community, Apollo is proud of our contribution to making Chicago a world-class city. Through the decades, the Chorus has been committed to broadening access for diverse audiences and volunteer singers to the world's most beautiful music. We've seen the power of the choral arts to connect and empower people toward a common purpose.

Each year, the chorus performs at free outreach events in the community, and provides educational activities and tickets to our major concerts for schools. Recent outreach efforts include:

• Free performances for patients at the Hines Veteran’s Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Center
• Inviting students from several local organizations to attend concerts as well as dress rehearsals and receive an educational program from the music director. Recent organizations include Gads Hill Center, among the oldest and most respected non-profit youth education and family resource centers on Chicago's South Side, and METROsquash, an organization that teaches underprivileged Chicago Public School students (grades 5-9) the game of squash as well as other academic and cultural experiences.
• A Messiah sing-along at Mather Lifeways, a non-profit senior residence facility
• Caroling at the “Bean” in Millennium Park and at the Lincoln Park Zoo
• Creating Student Guides for classical music concerts available at the concerts and for download online
• Our annual preview concert, presented free of charge and open to all who wish to experience great choral music.

The Event/Your part

Apollo After Hours is our main fundraising event of the year, and advertising for the event reaches thousands more.

Your support of this event offers a unique opportunity to promote your business and products to a very professional, upscale audience. Your message can reach over 5,000 individuals through programs, home mailings, email and the web in addition to those present at the event - music aficionados from all walks of life: professionals, retirees, and recent college graduates. They, their friends and families faithfully support the chorus and its sponsors! In addition to items for our silent auction and/or raffle, we also invite you to support the mission of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago through a corporate partnership or cash sponsorship of this event.

Benefits for donors based on giving level

Donation or Auction Item receives:

• Mention at auction table
• Listing in the Event Program
• Distribution of your promotional materials next to the donated item
• Listing on website as AfterHours donor

Donation or Auction Item of $1,000 or more (or equivalent) receives:

• Same as above plus special mention in concert programs for one year.
• Prominent mention including your Logo in Event Program
• Listing of name and URL, (or link) on the web site for 1 year
• Promotional poster/banner (provided by you) can be displayed at the event

We offer customized Sponsorships at other levels.