The University Musical Society (UMS) is a not-for-profit performing arts presenter located on the campus of the

University of Michigan , mottoeng = "Arts, Knowledge, Truth" , former_names = Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania (1817–1821) , budget = $10.3 billion (2021) , endowment = $17 billion (2021)As o ...

in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was established in December 1880. While UMS is affiliated with the

and is a regular collaborator with many university units, UMS supports itself from 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, 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 Ann Arbor, Michigan 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 o ...

. 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 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 also were 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 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, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

Opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libr ...

and

Theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...

. 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 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