RCS Fundraising Underway For Summer Tour of Europe

Despite being the third Harvard chasl group within the last three years to try to raise funds for a major tour, members of the Radcliffe Choral Society (RCS) are confident they will be able to collect the $90,000 they need for a tour of Europe this summer. This effort includes tonight's concert by the King's Singers at Sanders Theater.

Members of the group must work against the fact that the Harvard Campaign is funneling away some resources, and that some sources have been tapped recently by the two other undergraduate singing groups, both of which held major tours recently.

Last summer, the Glee Club went on an eight-week tour of China and Japan. The previous summer, the Collegium Musicum toured Europe. While RCS Tour Manager Wendy Coleman '84 said the other two tours have made their fundraising a little more difficult, she added that "we have alumnac from as far back as 1917 who are very loyal and supportive."

The money raised will go largely toward covering traveling expenses, since RCS has arranged for its members to stay in private homes in most cities, Coleman said.

RCS members have contributed just over $40,000 because they must pay approximately one-half of their expenses, unless they demonstrate financial need. Other sources, including corporations, RCS alumni, and friends have brought the group to within $40,000 of its goal.

"Harvard's alumni are asked to support so many groups, so it's difficult to raise money for anything," said Jameson Marvin, director of the Glee Club "RCS and Glee Club have many marriages coming out of them and therefore there might be some conflicts, but I think these would be small."

Although each group has its own alumni, the two groups that are not touring always help the group that is.

RCS has experienced some difficulty however, because "we just don't have as well endowed a base," Coleman said. "Because many of our alumnae may not be the bread winner, they may not be asinclined as the Glee Club's to give $100 have and $100 there.

In addition to writing letters and soliciting from their usual sources. RCS has held several fund-raising events. In November the group held a telethon in which they raised over $15,000 A fundraising cocktail party at the New York City home of entertainer Kitty Carlisle Hart will be held in March.