25th Anniversary
Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Touching Hearts Through Music: Celebrating 25 Years of Choral Excellence

The Story of Northwest Repertory Singers

 Tacoma, WA — [Insert Date] — The Northwest Repertory Singers (NWRS), one of the South Sound’s most respected choral ensembles, proudly celebrates its 25th Anniversary Season in 2025-2026, marking a quarter-century of musical artistry, community engagement, and heartfelt storytelling through song.

 Founded in 2001 by visionary conductor Dr. Paul Schultz, NWRS quickly earned a reputation for artistic excellence and emotional storytelling through music. Dr. Schultz, whose five-decade career garnered national recognition and multiple lifetime achievement awards, believed in the power of repertoire that could touch lives with the marriage of music and text through musical storytelling.

 From its earliest concerts, NWRS set a high standard by delivering fresh interpretations of classical masterworks, contemporary compositions, and rarely performed choral gems. Just one year after its founding, the ensemble helped place Tacoma on the international stage by participating in the global “Rolling Requiem” on September 11, 2002, performing Mozart’s Requiem in honor of those lost in the attacks.

 A Legacy of Recognition and Collaboration

Over the years, NWRS has built a reputation not only for musical excellence but also for community connection and artistic collaboration. In 2007, the ensemble performed at the prestigious American Masterpieces Choral Festival, earning national praise. Composer Morten Lauridsen described NWRS as “a jewel among chamber choruses in America,” while conductor Dale Warland called their performance “superb.”

 A highlight came in 2008, when NWRS joined forces with the Northwest Sinfonietta for a stirring performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, receiving critical acclaim.

 Collaboration has remained a hallmark of NWRS, with joint performances alongside groups such as The Coats, Tacoma Youth Chorus, Cora Voce, Rainier Symphony, Total Experience Gospel Choir, and ensembles from the University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University, and area schools.

 Championing New Music and Premieres

In 2011, to mark its 10th anniversary, NWRS began a tradition of commissioning and premiering new works, showcasing both established and emerging composers. A milestone came in 2014 with a performance of Brahms’s Ein deutsches Requiem in collaboration with Rainier Symphony, fulfilling one of Dr. Schultz’s long-held artistic goals.

That same year, NWRS performed at a special screening of Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen, with the composer in attendance. Lauridsen returned again in 2018 to accompany the choir on piano for “Sure on This Shining Night,” part of Dr. Schultz’s final concert before retirement.

Leadership and Legacy

Following Dr. Schultz’s retirement in 2018—after more than 60 years in music education and conducting, Kyle Haugen was named NWRS’s second Artistic Director. Haugen, a Tacoma native and University of Puget Sound graduate with a Master of Sacred Music degree from Luther Seminary and St. Olaf College, had served as Assistant Director for 10 seasons. Known nationally as a conductor, organist, freelance choral singer, and published composer, Haugen has continued to lead NWRS with creativity, vision, and a deep respect for the choir’s legacy.

The NWRS family mourned the passing of Dr. Paul Schultz in 2021, but his influence remains at the heart of every rehearsal and performance. To honor his legacy, NWRS established the Paul Schultz Memorial Fund, supporting artistic initiatives and educational outreach for generations to come.

Also central to the NWRS story is Marjorie Skreen-Dickerson, the ensemble’s collaborative pianist since its founding. Her artistry and partnership have been a cornerstone of NWRS’s sound for 25 years.

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

In recognition of its artistic contributions, NWRS has received numerous awards, including the Jim Smith Award from the Pierce County Arts Commission in 2007, and in 2011, the City of Tacoma proclaimed June 4 as “Northwest Repertory Singers Day.”

The 25th Anniversary Season will celebrate the ensemble’s rich history while embracing its future with a concert series featuring audience favorites from the past 25 years alongside new works that reflect NWRS’s ongoing artistic growth.  (Include some of the actual songs/composers)

Inspired by Dr. Schultz’s lifelong motto, drawn from his 4-H Club days—“To make the best better”—NWRS continues to elevate its music, striving to touch hearts with every note.

Join the Celebration

For concert dates, tickets, and information about the Paul Schultz Memorial Fund, please visit [www.nwrs.org].

Media Contact:
Kyle Haugen
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Northwest Repertory Singers
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