Our Purpose
The purpose of the Kohler PAO is to create a working relationship with the school and community in order to promote and support the music program. The organization's main event is an annual auction. 100% of the proceeds from this benefit event are returned to the students in the form of either middle school music camp scholarships or financial support toward the high school performance tours. The event is a social highlight for the community of Kohler and generates tremendous interest in the performing arts. Since 2002, Kohler PAO has raised nearly $300,000 for the performing arts students of Kohler.
History
In 2002, the Kohler Performing Arts Organization (PAO) was created by Kohler Public School Band Director Richard Tengowski and Choir Director Lori Hucke as a resource dedicated to the enhancement of performing arts opportunities outside of the classroom for Kohler School students.
The purpose of the PAO is to create a working relationship between Kohler schools and the community to promote and support the music programs at Kohler Schools. All parents of Kohler music students and anyone interested in the progress and development of the music departments of Kohler Public Schools are “Members” of the PAO.
What started as a means to provide funding for music students to travel and perform at distinguished venues throughout the United States has evolved into a parent and community effort to support and encourage all forms of performing arts opportunities for Kohler students.
To that end, the PAO has financially supported student scholarships to music camps and theater festivals to support the performing arts ambitions of Kohler students.
The PAO’s successes would not be possible without parent and community volunteers. Each year the PAO hosts an annual dinner auction, a gala that has been a highlight of the Kohler community for over 16 years, and each event is only possible with the time, energy, and talents of an average of 30+ parent and student volunteers.
PAO Documents
Auction Committee Descriptions