Summers on the stage

For many, summers in the Quad Cities are synonymous with outdoor entertainment. Nonprofit organizations like the Quad City Music Guild create exceptional evenings for residents and visitors alike. The Quad Cities Community Foundation and its donors are committed to supporting the nonprofits who fill summer with music, activity, and fun for all.

“As part of the Community Foundation’s series celebrating the work of arts, cultural, and recreational nonprofits and the impact they have on making the Quad Cities region a top-notch summer destination, we are delighted to highlight the Music Guild and their incredible history,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “The Music Guild is one of many nonprofits making Quad Cities summers truly magical.”

For Sheri Brown Olson, president of the Music Guild, it’s hard to remember a summer that didn’t involve evenings on or behind the stage in Prospect Park. “My grandparents were involved with the Guild, my aunts and uncles were involved, and my parents too,” she said. “It’s always been a part of my life and it is a unique pleasure to now be involved in sharing the experience with the community.”

Since 1949, the Music Guild has been a destination for live theater and has provided invaluable opportunities to local performers. “The theater is 100 percent volunteer-based,” Brown Olson explained. “From the ticketing to concessions to backstage, we’re all giving our time and energy to make this possible. The result is a little community within a community; people come back year after year and are passionate about keeping the theater alive.”

To ensure longevity, the Music Guild has made a conscious effort to maintain a beautiful space, make the theater accessible and inclusive, and produce shows for a range of audiences. “Everyone is welcome here, and everyone will find a production that appeals to them,” said Brown Olson. “We are also focused on keeping young people plugged in and engaged; they are the future on stage and in the audience.”

No matter what production you see, an evening at the Music Guild will be an unforgettable experience. “The play is only one part of what makes the visit so memorable,” said Brown Olson. “It’s a full experience. Patrons journey to the park and enjoy dinner before the show, and it all plays out along a beautiful lagoon. It makes for a truly special evening.”

Evenings like this would not be possible without nonprofits and nonprofit partnerships. The Music Guild receives annual support through the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Robert V. Fairman Endowment, which supports training grants for artists. The Community Foundation has also worked with many individual donors who give to the Guild through their donor advised funds. And a 2019 Community Impact Fund grant supported strategic planning and capacity building for the Music Guild.

“Summer would not be summer without a visit to the Music Guild,” said Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives. “Guild volunteers and artists have given us this amazing community resource and amenity for 75 years. The Community Foundation is proud to partner with them and support this effort for many years to come.”

The summer season at the Music Guild is now underway. Visit QCMusicGuild.com for a full calendar of shows running through August 11, 2024.