By Ed Karvoski Jr, Contributing Writer
Region – The regional chorus Assabet Valley Mastersingers (AVM) continues growing with about 75 vocalists representing 27 communities including Grafton, Hudson, Marlborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough and Westborough. New this year, the nonprofit organization’s fundraiser is introducing a concert presented by the Assabet Valley Chambersingers, a small ensemble of vocalists selected from AVM.
The fifth annual AVM Golf Outing is scheduled for Monday, May 22, at Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, 284 E. Temple St. in Boylston. Supporters of the arts who aren’t golfers have the option to attend only the dinner and concert.
For the past four years, Debra Wallace has participated in the fundraiser as a golfer and chorister. This year, she’s serving as event chair.
“We’re very pleased to offer this enhanced, expanded concert format, which is new for us this year,” she said. “The concert by the Chambersingers will be lighthearted music including P.D.Q. Bach’s ‘The Seasonings.’ It will be held in the beautiful music room. Cyprian Keyes has really maintained the music room’s integrity. It has great acoustics.”
AVM debuted in May 1978. In 1989, the Chambersingers was organized to provide community outreach by Robert Eaton, AVM founder and director. Among the venues where the Chambersingers perform regularly are area benefits, assisted living facilities, library arts series, First Night Worcester and Westborough Cultural Council’s annual Arts in Common.
Wallace joined AVM in 1996. She’s also a vocalist in the Chambersingers.
“The AVM performance standards are excellent,” she said. “The music, programming, and the people of the organization are a big part of my life. I take such personal pride from being a part of this organization.”
Proceeds from the Golf Outing will benefit the ongoing operation costs of AVM, Wallace noted.
“The cost of producing the arts is never covered by ticket sales,” she said. “Additional fundraising is part of most arts organizations to pay for the operations budget.”
Golf Outing registration and range will open at 11:30 a.m. A 1 p.m. shotgun start is scheduled for an 18-hole scramble with contests and prizes including a $10,000 Hole-in-One. All golfers will receive complimentary return golf rounds on Cyprian Keyes’ 18-hole and par-3 courses. They’ll also get a $5 Cyprian’s Restaurant voucher, boxed lunch, banquet dinner and gift bag.
Additional funds will be raised with raffles. Among the raffle items are a private wine class for 20 at Total Wine & More in Shrewsbury; sauna and jacuzzi for two at Essential Therapies Day Spa in Bolton; tickets to Boston Red Sox and Pawsox games, and the musical “Wicked” at the Boston Opera House; museum passes at Peabody Essex in Salem and Portland Museum of Art in Maine; and cash and lottery ticket trees.
Dinner choices of salmon, ribs and vegetarian will be served, and awards presented at 6:30 p.m. The Chambersingers will perform at 8 p.m.
Donation for an individual golfer is $140; foursome is $540. To attend the dinner and concert only is $50 per person; a dinner and concert table for eight is $480, which includes reserved seating and 32 raffle tickets. Appetizers and a cash bar will be available at 5:30 p.m. for the dinner and concert guests.
“This benefit event is a great way to support the community and the arts,” Wallace added. “We always have fun, good food and prizes at the beautiful Cyprian Keyes.”
A registration form and additional information is available at www.avmsingers.org/golf. Online registration with credit card payment is required by Monday, May 8. Or the registration form copied from website with check payable to “AVM” can be postal mailed to AVM, PO Box 911, Northborough, MA 01532 by Monday, May 1. Sponsorship opportunities for $175, $500 and $1,000 are available through Monday, May 15. For information, contact [email protected].