The Rockford Choral Union receives no public funding and is managed entirely by volunteers who each year must raise approximately $25,000 to meet the expenses of presenting two concerts of Messiah.  These expenses include a regional choir directed by a professional conductor, a chamber orchestra of top area professional musicians, a pipe organist, a harpsichordist, a trumpet soloist, and four internationally-acclaimed vocal soloists and a variety of logistical issues that challenge us every year. Although a free-will offering is received at each concert, most of the funds for these performances are donated by individuals and businesses.