DECEMBER 2019 Celebrating 40 years! PAUL CALDWELL NOVEMBERARTISTIC DIRECTOR 30 - DECEMBER 22 PAUL CALDWELL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PAUL CALDWELL DECEMBER 8-23 ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SEATTLECHORUSES.ORG Don’t sit. Don’t stay. Never roll over. At Carter Subaru we believe in making the world a better place. That’s why we support organizations like the Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus that promote a more harmonious world celebrating the unique identities and talents of all people. Let’s continue to work together to keep our community strong. PROUD SPONSOR OF SMC/SWC’S FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR YOUTH TICKET PROGRAM Of course, I don’t organization’s history to include think of myself singers from both Seattle Men’s as any kind of Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus. Ebenezer Scrooge. I’m proud of that. And I’m even But I guess the prouder that they’re directed by Ghost of Christmas Nikki Blackmer – maybe my New Past can visit Favorite Person Ever. Nikki brings a anyone. And my haunting Christmas pretty mind-blowing list of musical Past memory is of you, just a year bests and firsts and mosts. And she’s ago. Benaroya Hall was packed. a powerhouse of positive energy. Our The entire audience was on its feet, choruses are richer for her amazing spilling into the aisles, dancing and presence. Providing screaming out Christmas lyrics to And A Sensible Theatre Co. is back, Experienced the Village People’s YMCA. Gosh our Creative Collaborators for a that was fun. It may have been the second season. Their work will be Personal and happiest moment of my life. But the seen complementing and supporting Accessible memory does haunt me. Cuz now our chorus throughout the show. Legal Services we gotta top that. In my opinion, they’re a pretty Seattle Men’s Chorus has made sensible partner for Seattle Men’s Estate Planning, Elder Law Benaroya Hall the epicenter of Chorus. First and foremost, they’re & Probate Seattle’s holiday cheer for a long consummate artists. They’re young. Wills, Trusts & Living Wills Powers of Attorney time. But the chorus and I can’t And they’re pioneers of queer theatre. Estate Administration accomplish that alone. It happens They extend Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ Business Law because of you…your energy, your conversations into the mainstream. Incorporations in-the-moment feedback, all your And they propel our community LLCs palpable December cheer. forward in a positive, impactful Business Sales Contracts We’re pretty excited about the way. Honestly, they sound a little Entertainment Law like Seattle Men’s Chorus: Next presents we have under our musical Real Estate Law tree this year. You’ll feel it the Generation. Purchase & Sale Agreements minute the chorus storms the stage, So now we find ourselves here Leases Property Rights unveiling a veritable wall of sound again: you and me…and Seattle with a brand new Gloria in excelsis. Men’s Chorus. We’re the dreamers Marital & Domestic Relations Partnership Agreements If that doesn’t get you in the spirit, of dreams, the makers of magic, and Prenuptial Agreements wait for the Brooklyn Tabernacle the singers of songs. At their very Separation Agreements Choir’s Christmas Joy. It’s the very, heart, holiday songs are heal-the- very, merry, merry, hap-hap-happiest world songs. And the memories we holiday mash up ever. And of course create with them can inspire us for we hafta get you on your feet again. a lifetime. You may not be familiar with the dynamic duo Mary Mary. But you 206.284.2932 won’t soon forget their exclamation [email protected] of ‘Tis the Season. This concert includes the return of Paul Caldwell our small ensemble, The Supertonics. Dedicated primarily to close harmony a cappella music (think Pentatonix), bowman4law.com this is the first ensemble in our encorespotlight.com 3 FROM THE BOARD Thank you for joining us today for one of Seattle’s great holiday traditions, the Seattle Men’s Chorus concert. ‘Tis the Season promises to bring you those feel-good moments that you enjoy during the holidays including the popular audience sing-along. Get your vocal cords ready! The holiday season is a natural time to think about generosity and we want to thank you for being a supporter of the Choruses. Thanks to tax-deductible gifts from over 650 people we are celebrating our fourth consecutive year with a balanced budget. In addition, today’s Raffle is a great way to support our work, providing you with a chance to win amazing prizes including a hot spring spa from Olympic Hot Tub, first-class air travel for two with Alaska Airlines, a Rick Steves’ European city tour, a Holland America ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Line 7-day cruise, or a brand new Subaru Impreza courtesy of Carter Subaru. Look for our Paul Caldwell Karen J Lane Chorus members in the lobby for your chance to win. ARTISTIC/PRODUCTION We give a big round of applause to our Presenting Sponsors, the Pam Foster & Liz PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANISTS Nancy Otness Bent Austin Fund and Debbie Killinger. Our Producing Sponsors are Alaska Airlines, Carter and Evan Stults Subaru, and Holland America Line. Please let them know that you appreciate their support DIRECTOR OF THE SUPERTONICS AND ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR OF SWC Nikki Blackmer of our organization. PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Nancy Hautala We’re excited about the amazing season of music coming up. Please plan to join us on ASSISTANT PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER January 31-February 8 when Seattle Women’s Chorus raises the roof with Revolution William St. Rose MUSIC LIBRARIAN T.J. Elston 2020. This concert marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and decries the continued struggle for free and fair voting rights for all people. Join us in March for a CONDUCTOR EMERITUS Dennis Coleman remarkable concert, Love Beyond Borders, which spotlights the challenges that LGBTQ people face around the world as they seek to live their authentic lives. This concert will ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Franklin Reed feature a world premiere commission inspired by the lives of LGBTQ Muslims who settled DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Chelsea Sadler in North America after years of seeking asylum. We round out the season with Supreme DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Kevin Carson and Motown: Dancing in the Streets, two concerts bursting with big sound and treasured PATRON SERVICES MANAGER Jeremy Dashiell MEMBERSHIP & REHEARSAL MANAGER Tina Owen pop tunes. You don’t want to miss a moment of amazing music. EVENTS MANAGER Scott Walden Now sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds of the season. FINANCE ASSOCIATE Michael M. Mikowski GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lindsay Lush Kevin Maifeld PUBLIC RELATIONS Jennifer Rice, LLC President, Board of Directors GRANT WRITING Julie L. Wilchins, LLC INFORMATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Kevin Maifeld THEATRE ETIQUETTE TICKET SALES VICE PRESIDENT Lauri Hennessey In consideration of all performers and patrons, we ask Box Office Ann Eidson TREASURER that you observe the following: SECRETARY April Cook 206.388.1400 (Mon–Fri, 11:00AM–6:00PM) • Before you turn off all cell phones and electronic Online www.SeattleChoruses.org Tracy Bowens, Ed Darr, Lora Davis, devices, please share that you are here on all your Angela Forsa, Brick George, Brooks favorite social media channels. Glenn, Mitchell C. Hunter, Ron Jones, • Use of photographic and recording equipment STAY CONNECTED Zhenya Lavy, Gretchen Olsen-Jacobsen, during performances is strictly prohibited. Facebook.com/SeattleMensChorus Wendy Norcross, William Sechter, • Late seating is not guaranteed – latecomers will be Facebook.com/SeattleWomensChorus Tara Street, Meisha Wangerin seated at the discretion of the house manager. SMCMensChorus & SWCWomensChorus seattle.mens.chorus & seattle.womens.chorus OUR MISSION Our voices transform society through innovative and entertaining programs that build community, illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ people and their allies, expand inclusion, and inspire justice. OUR VISION A more harmonious world that celebrates the unique identities and talents of all people. 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 WE THE EXPLORERS EURODAM in GLACIER BAY, ALASKA Today we’re getting closer to one of Alaska’s most precious treasures, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. We’re enraptured by the legends of an Alaska native from the Huna Tlingit tribe. We’re mingling with a park ranger who points out the incredible wildlife and gives us a real understanding of Glacier Bay’s history. Today we are exploring someplace new, until tomorrow when we’ll wake up and do it all again. Call your Travel Advisor or 1-877-SAIL HAL, or visit hollandamerica.com Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands final_110619_SMC_HALBrand-Ad.indd 1 11/13/19 8:53 AM Publisher SMChorus program Ad Bleed 8.625 x 11.125 Audience Consumer Release Date 11-06-19 Trim 8.375 x 10.875 Designer DJB Publish Date 11-15-19 Live Area 7.375 x 9.87 WHO’S WHO December 2019 | Volume 8, No. 1 Paul Caldwell Evan Stults Artistic Director Principal Accompanist Now in his fourth Evan Stults is an season as Artistic accomplished vocal Director of Seattle accompanist whose Men’s Chorus and experience spans Seattle Women’s opera, recital, musical Chorus, Paul Caldwell theatre, and choral defines the creative music. Evan has been trajectory for one of the Seattle Men’s the nation’s largest Chorus principal community choral organizations. He accompanist since 1986, and has played for conducts both choruses for performances Seattle Opera, Vashon Opera, Seattle’s 5th in Seattle’s most prestigious venues. He Avenue Theatre, toured the US and Canada has redesigned the chorus’s small ensemble for Columbia Artists and Community structure, creating the first permanent Concerts Association, and played for group to include members of both the dozens of musicals in professional and Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses.