Our Purpose & Mission
The Military Tribute Concert is a Christian-based organization that's mission is to honor by music, fellowship, and recognition, all who have served in the United States military as well as to support these members and their families through fundraising and community awareness. These purposes include but are not limited to:
- Annually organize, publicize, and perform a major concert event, typically to be performed at the Iowa State Fair, involving choir and orchestra
- Organize smaller concerts/choirs at other events, such as the Camp Dodge Memorial Day event, Veterans Day events, Memorial Day events, and other opportunities that may arise throughout the remainder of the year
- Sponsor, host, and/or participate in events and activities that promote the honoring of the U.S. Military
The Military Tribute Concert organization has been in existence since 2013, and was incorporated as a non-profit entity in 2015. We received 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service in March 2016.
Concerts & Community Services
Our primary event involves planning, organizing, and performing a concert at the Iowa State Fair. Beginning in 2013, the Military Tribute Concert has annually provided this free concert to the public, including all Veterans, on the Anne & Bill Riley stage during Veterans Day at the Iowa State Fair. The 2021 concert was our 9th annual event. This concert had over 120 participants, including an adult choir, orchestra, and children’s choir, and we sang and played to an audience of approximately 1,500 people in the rain! The event also includes audience “sing-a-long” participation. All service members are recognized.
In addition to the state fair concert, the Military Tribute Concert has participated at the Iowa Gold Star Museum Memorial Day event at Camp Dodge, Veterans Day events, at Living History Farms in conjunction with the travelling Vietnam Memorial – “The Wall that Heals”, and sang Christmas carols at the VA Hospital in Des Moines.
An integral part of the Military Tribute Concert mission is to provide a “mission project” to benefit veterans. This currently consists of a drive to specifically help homeless veterans. In 2021, concert participants and committee members donated $3,500 toward this cause.
Financial Information
The Military Tribute Concert’s budget is approximately $8,000 per year, and is funded entirely by donations. All of the organizers and participants, including the music director, are volunteers and receive no compensation for their services. All funds raised are used to cover the operational costs needed for the concerts and service projects. These costs include music purchases, stage equipment rental, promotional materials, insurance, service project costs, and other miscellaneous costs to operate the organization.
A Note From Our Director
My name is Julie DenHerder and I am the Music Director for Military Tribute Concert. The Lord has laid it on my heart to provide an opportunity for musicians from across the state of Iowa to show their gratitude to our nation’s veterans, those currently serving, and the families of the fallen. The Military Tribute Concert Committee and I work to organize concerts and other events to bring people together to support each other through song and fellowship. We also identify mission projects to support which help veterans in time of need.
I would like to invite you to join us in supporting military families, current service members and veterans! We enjoy serving others together in song and through our actions. If you enjoy singing or playing an instrument consider joining our group for an event. If you enjoy organizing or helping through other tasks, we welcome support in many forms.
It is our hope to convey to Iowa’s veterans, as well as their families, how grateful we are for those who have served our country and are currently serving.