Supporting the Twin Cities Choral Community

The Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota are heavy on our hearts during these weeks of grief and turmoil. As Chorus America prepares for our 2026 Conference in Minneapolis (June 3-6), we’re staying in close contact with our colleagues and friends in the local choral community and our Conference planning partners.

The range of responses to this crisis reflect the deep care and thoughtfulness of leaders navigating extraordinary circumstances. Some organizations have canceled or postponed events for community safety, while others have chosen to gather at planned performances during this difficult time. 

As we move forward, we will continue working closely with our Minneapolis partners, listening deeply and monitoring evolving conditions in the city so that we can respond with both wisdom and care. 

Minneapolis has faced profound public tragedies in the past several years, and the choral community has been a vital force for peace, healing, and hope when it's been needed most. Our Twin Cities colleagues inspire us with their resilience and dedication, and we're committed to supporting them through this moment and beyond.

If you know someone in the Minneapolis-St. Paul choral world, we also encourage you to take a moment to reach out and let them know you’re thinking of them.

In times like these, it’s so important to know we're not alone. Singing together connects us to each other. 

What Kind of Advocacy Can Choruses Do?

When government decisions feel especially close to home, many choruses ask what kind of advocacy they're actually allowed to pursue as tax-exempt organizations. There's a common misconception that advocacy and lobbying are off-limits. The reality is much more encouraging.

Tax-exempt organizations can conduct unlimited issue advocacy, including providing resources, education, and nonpartisan information to policy makers and the public. Tax-exempt organizations can also seek to influence legislation that is mission related as long as the organization does not spend a substantial amount of its annual expenditures on lobbying expenses (read the IRS resource here).

What's truly off-limits? Partisan election activity. Tax-exempt organizations cannot endorse candidates or work to get one candidate elected over another. 

The bottom line: There are many ways that choral organizations can make their voices heard. We'll be sharing additional guidance and resources on this important topic in the coming days.