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What is the Tri-Lakes Music Association (TLMA)?

    The Tri-Lakes Music Association was formed in 1998 by a group of musicians in the Tri-Lakes Communities centered around Monument, Colorado.  The founders of this group were Robert W. G. Manning and Bruce Eldridge.  The original charter of this organization was to develop an annual Christmas Concert series that was  performed primarily by residents of the Tri-Lakes region - a true community event.  It was the founder's dream that this series of concerts would be a true community happening.  It would not belong to any one church, school or other organization.  It was an attempt to start down the road to Scott Peck's "community".

    The concert series has grown each year of.  In 2006 there were approximately 75 vocalists in the TLMA choir, 45 instrumentalists in the TLMA orchestra and 45 youth in the TLMA children's choir.  Also in 2006 TLMA experienced it's first ever sellout crowd.

    The concert series is funded primarily by donations from local churches, individuals and businesses.  A free-will offering is accepted during the performance the total sum of which currently goes to sponsor a local charity - Tri-Lakes Cares.  There are typically two sections to each concert:

the Tri-Lakes Music Association Children's choir

the Tri-Lakes Music Association Orchestra

the Tri-Lakes Community handbell choir

The association performed concerts in:

    In February 16th, 2006 the Tri-Lakes Music Association reached another pinnacle.  On this date, TLMA was granted non-profit status as a "charitable" organization.  This distinction is important because before this time TLMA operated under the non-profit umbrella of Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church and as such had "religious" non-profit status.  Becoming a community based "charitable" organization cements TLMA's charter of being truly a community organization.  Reading from TLMA's Articles of Incorporation, TLMA's primary purpose is:

a)     Generally, to coordinate and organize annual performing arts events (currently a series of Christmas concerts) in geographical areas where they might not otherwise be available or have limited access (e.g. the Tri-Lakes region);

b)    To raise the funds necessary to pay for the aforementioned concert series through the use of donations from local churches, individuals, local businesses, etc.;

c)     To publicize and recruit primarily un-paid volunteers to perform in the aforementioned performing arts events (e.g. orchestral musicians, vocal performers, stage hands, artists, dancers, actors, etc.);

d)    To foster further musical and/or other performing arts events whose proceeds above and beyond the costs to produce the event will either be donated to other charitable organizations, individuals in need (need must be established) and/or will be used to further enhance the ability of the Tri-Lakes Music Association’s ability to put on said performances.;

e)     To establish, over time, a center for these performances and enhance the performing arts in the Tri-Lakes region;

Following this charter, in June of 2006, the Tri-Lakes Music Association sponsored the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony for their farewell concert that was performed before the left on tour to New Zealand and Australia where their tour completed with a performance at the world famous Sydney Opera House.  TLMA plans on hosting many such concerts in the coming months and years truly bringing performing arts to areas that otherwise wouldn't have access to these performing arts.

What will happen next with TLMA?  We don't have firmed up plans but a few possibilities that are being discussed include:

Sincerely 

Need further information? Please contact:

Robert Manning, by phone (719) 481-3883 or e_mail

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