On the 20^th of February, our longtime WCO director, Gerrit Lamain, let the group know that this would be his last season as our director.  After much thought and prayer, he has decided he needs to reclaim some time for his family members in Michigan and to address health concerns as well.  We are all saddened by this news but respect his feelings and this decision.  He does plan to stay on as Music Director and organist at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in West St. Paul.

The last WCO concert he will direct will be at St. Stephen’s  (Charlton and Wentworth Sts. in W. St. Paul) on Sunday, April 25, at 4:00 p.m.  This will also be a celebration of his and his wife Bette’s  15^th wedding anniversary and his upcoming 75^th birthday in June.  Former WCO members and friends of the group are encouraged to attend this concert and enjoy the chance to hear some wonderful music and visit with Gerrit, Bette, and current group members.

After surveying WCO, the Board learned that all members feel the group should continue on, staying  committed to the original mission of presenting free concerts and giving 100% of the proceeds of freewill offerings taken at the concerts to the food shelf or shelves serving the area where the program is given. To this point, the organization has raised about $300,000 for MN and western WI food shelves.  We also plan to continue as a non-profit, all-volunteer group, and that would include the director.

Board members and others are beginning a search process, first by publicizing the need for a director in various media and using personal and business networks.  Possible candidates will be interviewed by the Board of Directors and asked to demonstrate conducting technique with the group.  Please contact WCO Board president Tom Foster at 763-784-7793 or thfoster@prodigy.net for further information or to indicate interest in the position or pass along names of possible candidates.  We appreciate any help you can give us in this process.

Director's Responsibilities:

WCO presents 12 concerts during the “school year” with each concert dedicated to fulfilling the WCO mission of raising money for the food shelves in the community in which the concert was performed.  This all volunteer organization is a non profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization and is governed by a 9 member board of directors (all active chorus or orchestra members) with the musical director as an ex officio voting member.  WCO is not affiliated with any religious group or organization and currently rehearses at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in West. St. Paul, MN.

 The responsibilities of the Musical Director include the selection of the music to be performed by the Orchestra and Chorus, rehearsing the orchestra and chorus and assisting in the selection of concert venues.  An ability to arrange orchestral music is also a desirable attribute for this position.  This position has not been a paid position in keeping with the philosophy of giving 100% the money collected at each concert to the community’s food shelf and not receiving any compensation for presenting the concert.

Updated: 04/07/10