Seattle Women's Chorus

Last updated
Seattle Women's Chorus
Choir
Origin Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Founded2002;22 years ago (2002)
Music directorPaul Caldwell
Affiliation Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses
Website Official website

Seattle Women's Chorus(SWC) is a community chorus based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2002, the group is the largest LGBTQ-identified women's chorus in the world. [1] SWC is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA Choruses) and Chorus America. Both Seattle Women's Chorus and Seattle Men's Chorus are governed by the same non-profit organization, Flying House Productions. [2] Combined, they are the largest community chorus in North America. [1]

Contents

SWC has been led by conductor and artistic director, Paul Caldwell, since 2016. [3] [4] In 2019, Nikki Blackmer was named Assistant Conductor.

Performances

SWC regularly performs for audiences in Seattle at venues including Benaroya Hall, Cornish Playhouse, Saint Mark's Cathedral, and McCaw Hall. [5] [6] [7] They have been joined by guest artists including country singer, Chely Wright, [8] [9] Lesley Gore, [10] VEEP's Kathy Najimy, [11] [12] The Voice's Vicci Martinez [13] and Sarah Rudinoff. [14]

In addition to concerts for adult audiences, SWC has performed free children's concert for Seattle-area families. [15] This event has featured youth performance groups including Village Theatre KIDSTAGE [16] and Diverse Harmony, the nation's first gay-straight alliance youth chorus. [17]

Marriage equality

In 2012, SWC, along with Seattle Men's Chorus, traveled to five cities in western Washington, performing a free concert, "Voices United for Marriage," that encouraged residents to approve state referendum 74 which would legalize marriage for same-sex couples. [18] [19] [20] In November 2012, Washington became one of three states, along with Maine and Maryland, to approve same-sex marriage through a popular vote. [21] [22] Pete-e Petersen and Jane Abbott Lighty, both founding members of Seattle Women's Chorus, were the first couple to receive a marriage license in Seattle's King County. [23] [24] They were married on-stage during a holiday concert at Seattle's Benaroya Hall. [25] [24]

In 2015, Seattle Women's Chorus performed at Seattle Mayor Ed Murray's rally to celebrate the Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage across the country. [26] [27]

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References

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