The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance is thrilled to announce the creation of the Charles and Reta Ralph Opera Center, a program named in honor of Charles and Reta Ralph in recognition of their lengthy, generous and continuing support of opera at Colorado State University.

The Ralph’s benevolence establishes two endowments for both operational and scholarship support and replaces the previous CSU Opera Theatre program.

The center’s operational fund provides for programmatic support and professional development opportunities including expenses (costumes, sets, guest artists, staging elements), materials, supplies, travel, equipment and other expenses determined at the discretion of the Chair of the Department of Music, Theater and Dance.

The redefined Charles and Reta Ralph Scholarship benefits students in the opera program at Colorado State University, providing support for three new scholarships: Charles and Reta Ralph Undergraduate Scholarship, Charles and Reta Ralph Graduate Scholarship and the Charles and Reta Ralph Recruitment Scholarship.

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance looks forward to an official celebration of the Center during a gala to be held on Friday, October 26, 2012.

About Charles and Reta Ralph
Aficionados of opera, the Ralphs created Opera Pronto, a network serving the opera community in Colorado. Not only does their organization support opera in Colorado, but they continue to publicize opera and vocal events at CSU as well as the accomplishments of CSU vocal students in the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance.

The Ralphs established the Charles and Reta Ralph Scholarship, previously the Opera Pronto Scholarship, in 2006 to support undergraduate and graduate vocal students in their pursuit of a quality performing arts education. In addition to these scholarships, they have also supported CSU vocal students in their professional development and studies such as providing tickets for students to attend the "Live from the Metropolitan Opera” cinecasts.

Charles and Reta Ralph have a long-standing connection and commitment to Colorado State University. Charles joined the CSU faculty in 1974 and served in the Department of Biology for over two decades while Reta worked in the benefits office of Human Resource Services. Although the Ralphs retired in 1997, they continue to serve Colorado State University and can often be found at the University Center for the Arts attending myriad events.

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance invites patrons and alumni to come alongside the Ralphs in supporting Colorado State University Opera Theatre. To make a contribution to the Charles and Reta Ralph Opera Center or Scholarship please contact Marilyn Bistline at marilyn.bistline@colostate.edu or (970) 491-4030.