Seattle Men's Chorus
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JUNE 2017 PAUL CALDWELL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JUNE 23 & 24 M C CAW HALL Holland America Line proudly supports SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS & SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS and their production of BETTE, BABS & BEYONCÉ FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Middle School. Their choral director a better place for us. Over the course of had asked us for musical mentorship. the program, six kids came out in public, He asked us to help him countermand to us and to their peers. the refrains of hate and division that fall The kids talked to us about the presence on the ears of his students every day. of bullying in their school. It’s horrifying, This was an invitation to do something really, the things they see and experience different, something bold, something every day. And it’s not just queer kids. really beautiful. It’s Jewish kids, Muslim kids, nerdy kids, So in February, I started going to the smart kids, and small kids. I’ve only been here a few months now, school every week. But I didn’t go alone. In December, I stood on stage at but that’s long enough to have some Forty singers from SMC and SWC took Benaroya Hall and told you that Seattle favorite memories: Jane Abbott Lighty off work to be there with me at 1:30 has become my home. We are family: and Pete-e Petersen walking me down every Thursday afternoon. These people, Seattle Men’s Chorus, Seattle Women’s the aisle for the Seattle Women’s Chorus OUR singers, requested PTO from their Chorus, me…and you. And now our concert at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in jobs so they could go to middle school family has grown to include those singers October - you would have thought they chorus practice. at Washington Middle School. Some were proud mothers of the groom. And The kids and us, we learned four songs of them are LGBTQ. Some are straight then there was that moment at Benaroya, together. We performed together at allies. Some of them had a bat mitzvah that one key change where the men McCaw Hall in front of 1,500 people. and some of them wear a hijab. Some of transformed themselves into a full-on But that’s not even half the story. them are the cool kids. And some are so gospel chorus. I didn’t really think the hopelessly awkward that you just want Seattle Men’s Chorus could go into holy The choruses and I went to the school on to protect them from the world. But all of delirium. But they did. And the audience two different evenings this spring. Our them, they got a glimpse of what it means was right on the verge of speaking in singers showed up with enough chicken to feel safe and supported…in the little tongues. and macaroni and homemade soup to Land of Oz that we built together in our feed an army. We ate with the kids. And But maybe my favorite moment all year – community engagement partnership. then we talked. We talked about what it or series of moments – was far less public. means to be the alphabet people, LGBTQ It takes a village, right? And every One of our primary goals this season was and A. We talked about what it means great village needs a great chorus in a for our choruses to build a sustained, to be an ally, how our allies become our proverbial concert hall. But the power of meaningful partnership with Washington families, the people who make the world a song can’t always be contained inside four walls. Sometimes you have to leave the stage and let a song take life in the streets. OUR MISSION Seattle is among the most accepting, Our voices transform society through innovative and entertaining programs that build inclusive, progressive cities in America. community, illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ people and their allies, expand It’s a place where the LGBTQ voice has inclusion, and inspire justice. been empowered. But some days, it feels OUR VISION like all the progress we made over the last 20 years is being upended before our eyes A more harmonious world that celebrates the unique identities and talents of all people. in one place or another. INFORMATION But you know what? Not in our town. And not on our watch. THEATRE ETIQUETTE TICKET SALES The voice of hate is a problem. It’s a big In consideration of all performers and patrons, we ask Box Office problem. But it’s not going to drown us that you observe the following: 206.388.1400 (Mon–Fri, 11:00AM–6:00PM) out. Not today. Because we – you and me • Before you turn off all cell phones and electronic Online www.SeattleChoruses.org - we’re gonna stand up and sing out. We devices, please share that you are here on all your are family now. I’m so proud to have a STAY CONNECTED favorite social media channels place at your table. Proud…and grateful. 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 MUSIC STORE To purchase our CDs please visit Paul Caldwell www.SeattleChoruses.org/music or call 206.388.1400. encoreartsseattle.com 3 FROM THE BOARD Welcome and organization. A heartfelt “thank you” thank you for for all of your support; we cannot pursue joining us for our vision of "a more harmonious world Bette, Babs that celebrates the unique identities and & Beyoncé! I talents of all people" without you! cannot think of a better way Finally, I would be remiss if I did not to celebrate take the opportunity to thank Eric Lane Pride than with Barnes for his years of dedication to Seattle Men’s our organization. A few months ago Chorus as they perform the music of our Eric informed us he was stepping back community’s favorite divas. as Associate Artistic Director to pursue certification in Music Therapy and focus ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This concert marks the completion more on his music composition. Eric Paul Caldwell Steven F. Smith of Paul Caldwell’s first season as our will continue to work with our small artistic director. As an organization we ensembles, Captain Smartypants and ARTISTIC/PRODUCTION are extremely fortunate to have found Sensible Shoes, in the coming year. For ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Eric Lane Barnes someone with his vision and talent seventeen seasons Eric has brought his PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANIST Evan Stults to lead the Choruses into their next wit, satire, and musical talent to life DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC OPERATIONS Halie Looper chapter. Thank you, Paul, for allowing through both SMC and SWC. On behalf PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Nancy Hautala ASSISTANT PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER us to be your new family and making of everyone, I wish to thank Eric for William St. Rose Seattle your new home. his contributions and wish him much MUSIC LIBRARIAN & REHEARSAL MANAGER T.J. Elston success. Eric, you are truly the “wind Personally, this concert is my last beneath our wings.” CONDUCTOR EMERITUS Dennis Coleman opportunity to write to you as board president. At the end of June I will Yours in song, ADMINISTRATION have completed my second term as a FINANCE DIRECTOR Phi Nguyen DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING director and will step down, though I Matthew Ramsey will continue on as a singing member Kevin Carson DEVELOPMENT MANAGER with Seattle Men's Chorus. During the Bob Davidson PATRON SERVICES MANAGER Jeremy Dashiell past six years I have had the pleasure of Chelsea Sadler President – Board of Directors MARKETING MANAGER meeting many of you on behalf of our EVENTS MANAGER Scott Walden Flying House Productions FINANCE ASSOCIATE Franklin Reed GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lindsay Lush PUBLIC RELATIONS Jennifer Rice, LLC GRANT WRITING Julie L. Wilchins, LLC FROM THE STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thanks for joining Community Services, SWC performing PRESIDENT Bob Davidson us for tonight’s on International Women’s Day for VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hughes divalicious Seattle Rotary, SMC’s recent debut TREASURER David Nilsson celebration. We with Seattle Symphony at Benaroya SECRETARY Lora Davis hope you have as Hall, SWC’s successful collaboration Garrison Alger, Frank Alvarado, Tracy Bow- much fun as we with Women for Women International ens, April Cook, Mitchell C. Hunter, Robert have had putting it to sponsor 40 women in war-torn Jaime-Linden, Ron Jones, Karen J. Lane, together for you. countries, and our groundbreaking Adrienne McEntee, Clay Newlin, Mark residency with Washington Middle Schmitt, Logan Skirm, Jane Stewart, Ken Our subscribers Van Dyke School’s chorus. And we’re just getting and donors help make our concerts warmed up in our renewed focus on possible – thank you all for your community engagement! Next year will support! I’d also like to acknowledge be a blockbuster, so consider getting a our Producing Sponsors: Alaska season subscription now to get the best Airlines, Carter Subaru, and Holland seats and special savings. America; our Concert Sponsors: Il Fornaio and DCG One; and Presenting Thanks again for being here and enjoy Sponsors: The Pam Foster and Liz the summer. Austin Fund and Debbie Killinger. Cheers, With your support, we’ve had an amazing season. In addition to Paul’s debut with both choruses, highlights have included SMC singing for Steven F. Smith, hundreds of people at the O'Christmas Executive Director Trees event for Providence Senior and 4 FLYING HOUSE PRODUCTIONS My wealth. My priorities. My partner.