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Support GCCC

The Grand Cities Children’s Choir is a truly unique organization.  The Directors, Staff, and Student Mentors (GGs) provide the best in vocal music education to the singers in the Choir in a safe and nurturing learning environment.  The Grand Cities Children’s Choir is a non-profit, extra-curricular arts program of the Grand Forks Public Schools.  The activities of the Choir are funded by student tuition, by corporate, government and foundation grants, by private donations, and special fundraisers.

Support GCCC

If you are interested in supporting the singers and educational programs of the Grand Cities Children’s Choir, please contact:

Greg Nelson - Finance Director
610 Terrace Drive, Grand Forks, ND 58201
701.772.5565
[email protected]

Melanie Popejoy - Founder & Artistic Director
2587 Glen Circle, Grand Forks, ND 58201
701.885.4242
[email protected]

GCCC Grantors & Supporters

Myra Foundation

The John E. Myra Foundation - Generosity from the Land

There is a good chance that if you were shopping for home or farm supplies at Viets and Twamley Department Store in downtown Grand Forks in the late 1890’s, that you could run into Grand Forks County farmer and businessman John Myra.  John was of medium build with a determined nature and a face naturally weathered by farm life on the North Dakota prairie.  Through acquisitions, defaults, and foreclosures, he had become one of the largest landowners in the Red River Valley by the end of the Great Depression. Before Mr. Myra passed away in 1939, he set up the first private charitable fund of its kind in the State to administer his estate after his death.  The Foundation was to be incorporated and administered by trustees who would distribute earnings from the Myra Estate for charitable, character-building, and educational purposes to residents of Grand Forks County.  The land held in trust is currently leased to local farmers and the income generated from the farming operations is distributed to organizations in Grand Forks County according to the Foundation’s Mission.  Since its inception in 1941, the Myra Foundation has awarded grants within the County exceeding 13 million dollars.  In 2023, 71 organizations received $703,648.00 in life-enriching grants from the Myra Foundation. The Grand Cities Children’s Choir has been a fortunate recipient of Myra Foundation granted funds for over 20 years. Most recently, Myra Funds have helped to fund the Choir's two major "free to the public" yearly concert performances held in the Chester Fritz Auditorium. These concerts have featured the voices of thousands of children from Grand Forks County and surrounding areas over the past 22 years. Countless numbers of people have been able to enjoy the accomplished singers of the Grand Cities Children's Choir thanks to the generosity and hard work and determination of a “Man of the Land”… John Myra.  The Myra Foundation is under the Direction of its President, John Botsford.

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The Grand Forks Public Schools

Dr. Terry Brenner, Superintendent
The Grand Forks Public Schools have been an instrumental supporter of the Grand Cities Children’s Choir since before the Choirs’ inception in 2002.  The School District generously allows the Choir to use its buildings and facilities for rehearsals and Choir functions throughout the school year. The singers in the Children's Choir have been proud to positively represent, and act as musical ambassadors, for the Grand Forks Public Schools in performances all across the state and nation including performances in Carnegie Hall in 2014 and 2020, in Washington DC in 2017 and in Branson, MO, in 2023. The Grand Cities Children's Choir is extremely proud to partner with the Grand Forks Public Schools in the extra-curricular vocal music education of its singers.

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The City of Grand Forks

Mayor Brandon Bochenski and the Grand Forks City Council
The Grand Cities Children’s Choir has been a recipient of Community Arts Funding by the City of Grand Forks for over 20 years.  The Mayor and City Council have been extremely generous in the support of Children in the Arts in Grand Forks, which has helped to attract families to live and work in the Community and to ensure the success and longevity of Children’s Arts Programs like the Grand Cities Children’s Choir.

GF Parks and Rec

Grand Forks Parks and Recreation Foundation

Jill Nelson, Director of Operations and Community Relations
"Every Child Deserves a Chance to Play", whether it be on a ball field, in a swimming pool, or on a stage in a choir or band. The Grand Cities Children's Choir has been a recipient of grant funding from the Ulland Fund of the Grand Forks Parks and Recreation Fund. The Ulland Fund was established from the estate of Peter Ulland, a lifelong Grand Forks Letter Carrier, who lived a frugal lifestyle, and left his financial estate to the Grand Forks Park District to be used to benefit all youth programs in the city of Grand Forks. The Grand Cities Children's Choir is one of many youth programs in the Community that are supported by the generosity of the Grand Forks Parks and Recreation Foundation. The Children's Choir uses Park District funds to purchase printed music used in its performances throughout the concert season.

Community Foundation

Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region

Becca Baumback, Executive Director
The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region administers donations given by Community members along with funds that the Foundation oversees for other organizations.  This administration by the Foundation ensures that only deserving organizations receive the funding, that the funding is used for its intended purpose, and that all funds are accounted for.  The Foundation also invests and earns income on a number of funds that groups in the Community have placed in their trust to administer.  If you would like to arrange an endowment or set up a giving arrangement for a particular group in the Community, please contact Becca Baumbach of the Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region Community Foundation. 

Neel Family

Neel Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region

Becca Baumback, Executive Director
The Neel Family Fund was established by Joe K. Neel Jr., to provide support for music education for children who are 18 years and younger in Grand Forks County. Joe was a lifelong lover of music and granted funding is used to support Children's Choir performances throughout the concert season.

Iseminger Endowment

Iseminger Endowment Fund for the Arts of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region

Becca Baumbach, Executive Director
The Iseminger Endowment Fund for the Arts was esta blished by Gordon and Trudy Iseminger in 2017 to provide support for the arts across the region. Funds seek to provide exposure and access to artistic and cultural experiences, which generate artistic growth and creativity for all ages. Dr. Gordon Iseminger is an American author and historian. He taught history for 57 years at the University of North Dakota. He is a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of History and recipient of the North Dakota State Historical Society's Heritage Profile Award. Iseminger Endowment Grant funds are used to support Children's Choir performances throughout the concert season.

The "On Angels Wings" Community Fund

This fund was established in 2023 by Julie and Greg Nelson in honor of those who have been, and continue to be, an inspiration in our lives and positive role models to all as exhibited by their caring and giving hearts, perseverance, and generosity of spirit. These funds are used to provide scholarships for those Grand Cities Chidren's Choir singers in financial need for the entire performing season.

On Angel Wings

Berry Family Scholarships

Justin and Whitney Berry's three children have all been involved in the Grand Cities Children's Choir from Poco to Primo. As a thank you for the lessons and skills they have been taught, the fmaily has sponsored a participation scholarshio for new singers in each of the four choirs. The entire Grand Cities Children's Choir appreciates their spirit of "paying it forward".

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Individuals,  Established Funds, & Corporate Supporters

The following are individuals, established funds or corporate supporters of Grand Cities Children’s Choir Programs:

  • Bremer Bank
  • The Theresa Hood GCCC Memorial Scholarship
  • The Mildred Monk GCCC Tuition Assistance Scholarship
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Sharon Lutheran Church
Heart Institute of ND