|
||||
|
||||
|
Saturday, Aug 30, 2008
|
||||
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
Seattle Lesbian and Gay Chorus transforms into Sound Mosaic, announces introductory meeting |
|
.jpg) |
|
| Seattle Lesbian and Gay Chorus transforms into Sound Mosaic, announces introductory meeting | |
|
The Seattle and Lesbian Gay Chorus has been a vital part of the Seattle arts scene since 1990. Over the past two years, under the artistic directorship of Scott Farrell, the chorus has been working on the implementation of a name change which will more accurately reflect its membership. After a long process, the group decided on Sound Mosaic. "I think it's a great name," says Director Farrell. "We have such a diverse group of people & Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgendered and straight & and the old name just didn't fit any more. We really are a chorus that celebrates the voice in everyone, and we believe that joining together in song is a beautiful way to unite our communities and cross boundaries. We're excited to be announcing our new identity for 2008, and we invite anyone who loves to sing to join us for our introductory meeting and songfest on January 8 at Seattle Unity Church, where we rehearse on Tuesdays. "The chorus' mission, 'to entertain, enlighten, and move our audiences through musical and performance excellence within a community that celebrates and affirms all genders and sexualities,' is a concept we will wholeheartedly embrace with our new identity," says Farrell. "Our policy of welcoming everyone into our group, regardless of past musical experience or training, allows for a richly diverse group of people to share the joy of singing with like-minded friends." One of the more profound differences between Sound Mosaic and other choruses in town is its policy of welcoming people of widely varying musical training and ability. "While we have chorus members with amazing musical background, many of our singers do not read music, and some have had some pretty painful experiences around being told they couldn't sing," says Farrell. "I've been a private voice teacher for over 30 years, and I've directed non-audition choruses in various cities. I believe everyone can sing and that singing together is a wonderful, healing process, for both the individual and the community. Beginning in January, we will introduce only a very low-pressure, voice placement sort of process, rather than the traditional audition process that people generally associate with joining a chorus. We really hope to include everyone who wants to sing with us. Don't get me wrong, we do challenging music, and a commitment to learning songs and getting ready for performance are important elements, as they are for any choral group. However we really do our best to make the process as supportive, fun, and affirming as possible." Sound Mosaic's Artistic Director and Conductor, Scott Farrell, has had a rich background in the vocal music and entertainment world. For 16 years he was the award-winning music director for Greg Thompson Productions, one of the largest producers of staged revue shows in the world. As a featured singer he appeared in nightclubs, theatres and cruise ships around the world. He also served as a faculty member at the Evergreen State College where he directed the popular Evergreen Singers. "I think my experiences as a professional director and performer have given me a kind of an air for flair," says Farrell. "I love the process of working together with our artistic direction committee to make decisions about our concert themes and choose music that's both fun and challenging. Over the past two years we've performed everything from songs of liberation and protest, to hits from the '50s and '60s, to Bernstein's Chichester Psalms." Scott recently completed the Community Chorus Leadership Training in Victoria, B.C. "It was a really terrific experience. We explored music, from a wide variety of cultures, which can be easily learned by any group of people. I intend to use some of this material during our rehearsal warm-up sessions every Tuesday. It's a powerful way to establish the sense of community that's so important to the mission of our chorus. Something amazing happens when people let go of their self-consciousness and allow their voices out. Indigenous cultures sing together all the time. It's something that we, as human beings, innately know how to do. Removing the 'don't sing unless you sound like a recording artist' requirement, that seems to exist in the American Idol culture we live in, provides for an environment that encourages connection and community." The chorus has recently expanded its range of performance venues, holding concerts in both Seattle and Olympia, as part of Pride celebrations, and it sang the National Anthem for the Seattle Storm. On Tuesday, January 8, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Sound Mosaic will be holding its first introductory membership meeting at Seattle Unity Church (200 8th Ave. N) in Seattle, just north of Denny Park. "We invite everyone with any desire to sing with a group of warm and welcoming people to come and join us," says Farrell. "We'll be doing a lot of fun, easy singing. People will have a chance to learn about the upcoming May concert, and they'll be able to check us out to see if they'd like to join. There will be no auditions on this night, just singing and getting to know each other. Even people who have been involved with the chorus in the past are likely to be surprised at the group's new and growing energy and identity." As a chorus that celebrates all genders and sexualities, Sound Mosaic is sure to be an exciting addition to Seattle's arts community. For more information, call 206-860-SLGC, or e-mail at info@slgc.org. Provided by Anne Davids of Sound Mosaic |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 New!! LGBT & LGBT friendly "What's Happening WA" |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 post your own information on the Seattle Gay Blog |
copyright Seattle Gay News - DigitalTeamWorks 2007