JUNE 2018 SAVE THE 50 YEARS OF BRITISH ROCK JUNE 22 & 23 McCAW HALL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PAUL CALDWELL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FEATURING POP SINGER, PERFORMANCE ARTIST & FINALIST FROM “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” PAUL CALDWELL PRINCE POPPYCOCK OCTOBER 13-21 SAINT MARK’S CATHEDRAL EAP full-page template.indd 1 5/30/18 10:35 AM SOME SAY OCEANS SEPARATE US. WE BELIEVE THEY CONNECT US. At Holland America Line, we believe in the transformative power of travel. We see it every day as our guests sail the world’s seas to more than 425 ports of call. Each journey opens minds and hearts to new places, people and cultures. We come to understand and respect the things that make us different — while celebrating our shared humanity. Where will your next journey take you? CALL YOUR TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL OR 1-877-SAIL HAL, OR VISIT HOLLANDAMERICA.COM Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR The Beatles started it. Early on, it might try to make our world a softer, gentler have seemed like a fad. But now it’s an era place. in music history, one that hasn’t lagged for Last month, the Seattle Men’s and 50 years. Musicologists even have a name Women’s Choruses finished up the for it: The British Invasion. This weekend, second year of a cutting edge Community the royal beat goes on, with performances Engagement Partnership with by Seattle Men’s Chorus and guest artist, Washington Middle School. Prince Poppycock. Their choral director asked us for musical Of course we all have our favorite song. mentorship. And he asked us to help “Seattle takes its Queens very seriously.” But this concert is a reflection on the him countermand the refrains of hate totality of the royal British rock journey, Someone said that to me soon after I and division that fall on the ears of his from generation to generation. And a moved here. Um…OK? I didn’t really students every day. This was an invitation few of the landmarks on that journey get it. But over time, I have come to to do something different, something that are points of pride for us and for understand the statement on many levels. bold, something really beautiful. our community. Relax (Frankie Goes to Yes, the bars are crammed on Thursday Hollywood) catapulted to number one So in February, I started going to the nights whenever RuPaul releases a new on the UK charts. But it was notoriously school every week. But I didn’t go alone. episode of anything. When Seattle Men’s banned by the broadcasting industry 50 singers from Seattle Men’s and Chorus puts on its holiday extravaganza for being overtly gay. There’s Freddie Women’s Choruses took off work to be at Benaroya Hall, 13,000 people turn out. Mercury, truly a voice in a million…but there with me at 10:30 every Thursday In the choral world, that’s serious indeed. just one of the millions of voices silenced morning. These people, OUR singers, And when the Seattle Pride Parade moves by the pandemic we remember all too requested time off from their jobs so down 4th Avenue – with the queens, the well. And then there’s George Michael. they could go to middle school chorus Grand Marshals, and the Dykes on Bikes As handsome as any prince, he was the practice. We learned 4 songs together… – it feels like the whole city turns out. Cuz world’s heartthrob. But some of us, those and finished up, the kids and us, with an everyone’s proud to be a part of our royal of a certain age, will always hold his unforgettable performance on stage at family. memory a little extra close. McCaw Hall. Royalty: it’s not just for the House of So it’s the royalty thing that brings us This summer, our choruses are going Windsor anymore. Drag queens identify together tonight. And it’s gonna be fun. on the road, to Yakima, Spokane, and themselves by lineage. CNN’s series But status and stardom are not the things Walla Walla. We’ll reprise the concert about the Kennedy dynasty is almost as that keep us connected over time. It’s what we did here at McCaw Hall in April. At popular as RuPaul’s All Stars. And then we do together, the ways in which we every stop, we’re partnering with local there’s rock royalty, which brings us here show up for those around us, the ways we LGBTQ and social justice non-profits together, at McCaw Hall. and donating 100% of our concert ticket revenue back to them. OUR MISSION The most iconic reigning royal, Elizabeth Our voices transform society through innovative and entertaining programs that build II, once said, “Whatever life throws at us, community, illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ people and their allies, expand our individual responses will be all the inclusion, and inspire justice. stronger for working together.” OUR VISION Working together to make our world a more beautiful place. This has been the A more harmonious world that celebrates the unique identities and talents of all people. hallmark of Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses for decades. INFORMATION Of course, it was also Queen Elizabeth THEATRE ETIQUETTE TICKET SALES who said, “Let’s not take ourselves too In consideration of all performers and patrons, we ask Box Office seriously.” So on that note, let’s raise the that you observe the following: 206.388.1400 (Mon–Fri, 11:00AM–6:00PM) curtain on Seattle Men’s Chorus and • Before you turn off all cell phones and electronic Online www.SeattleChoruses.org Prince Poppycock. God Save the Queens! devices, please share that you are here on all your favorite social media channels STAY CONNECTED Facebook.com/SeattleMensChorus • Use of photographic and recording equipment Facebook.com/SeattleWomensChorus during performances is strictly prohibited. • Late seating is not guaranteed – latecomers will be SMC_Chorus & SWC_Chorus seated at the discretion of the house manager. youtube.com/FlyingHouseSeattle Paul Caldwell encoremediagroup.com/programs 3 FROM THE BOARD & STAFF On behalf of & Liz Austin Fund and Debbie Killinger. everyone at Seattle Our full season Producing Sponsors are Men’s Chorus and Alaska Airlines, Carter Subaru, Holland Seattle Women’s America Line, Olympic Hot Tub, and Chorus, welcome Sound. Concert Sponsors are DCG One and Happy Pride. As and, making their debuts with us at our city celebrates this show, HomeStreet Bank and Hotel the LGBTQ community and the rights Theodore. Thank you all! and respect we have earned, we are also You’ll find the announcement of next looking ahead two weekends to when season’s fabulous schedule of concerts in ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR our singers from both SWC and SMC your program tonight. We have a variety Paul Caldwell Steven F. Smith will depart on our Sing Out Washington of flexible subscription options available Tour. July 6-8, we’ll be driving across to you that not only save money but also ARTISTIC/PRODUCTION the state, bringing concerts to Yakima, PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANIST Evan Stults guarantee you the first pick of best seats DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC OPERATIONS Halie Looper Spokane, and Walla Walla. All of the in each price range. There’s a full year of PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Nancy Hautala proceeds from the tour will benefit ASSISTANT PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER fun and inspiration waiting and we can’t William St. Rose social justice non profits in the wait to share it with you! MUSIC LIBRARIAN T.J. Elston communities we visit. If you have friends CONDUCTOR EMERITUS Dennis Coleman and family out that way, please spread See you in the lobby, the word. You can see full details with ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Karen J Lane links for tickets on our website at DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Phi Nguyen seattlechoruses.org/tour. DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Chelsea Sadler DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Kevin Carson PATRON SERVICES MANAGER Jeremy Dashiell Our sponsors help make these concerts Steven F Smith MEMBERSHIP & REHEARSAL MANAGER Tina Owen possible, so please join me in thanking EVENTS MANAGER Scott Walden Executive Director FINANCE ASSOCIATE Franklin Reed our Presenting Sponsors, The Pam Foster GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lindsay Lush PUBLIC RELATIONS Jennifer Rice, LLC GRANT WRITING Julie L. Wilchins, LLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Lora Davis VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hughes TREASURER David Nilsson SECRETARY April Cook Tracy Bowens, Ed Darr, Ann Eidson, Mitchell C. Hunter, Ron Jones, Kevin Maifeld, Adrienne McEntee, Clay Newlin, Wendy Norcross, Mark Schmitt, Ken Van Dyke Seattle Choruses wish to thank Plymouth Church for the provision of our rehearsal space. 1217 Sixth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 www.plymouthchurchseattle.org 4 FLYING HOUSE PRODUCTIONS WHO’S WHO Paul Caldwell financial turnaround and revitalized the audience, growing attendance by 21% Artistic Director over a four year period. From 1995– Previously the 2010 he led the acclaimed Boston Gay artistic director for Men’s Chorus through an unprecedented Windy City Perform- period of growth in which he tripled its ing Arts in Chicago, annual audience and grew its budget Paul provided fourfold. Earlier positions included renewed leadership production for Northeastern University’s and vision for both Music Department and coordinating the the Windy City Gay residency of the Pittsburgh Symphony Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire. He Orchestra at the Great Woods Center for was also artistic director for the Youth the Performing Arts. Steve also managed Choral Theater of Chicago, a commu- an international roster of concert nity- based after-school program organists and English cathedral choirs for Online enrolling 200 young people in Chicago’s Karen McFarlane Artists Management. northern suburbs.