Seattle Women's Chorus

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Seattle Women's Chorus
Choir
Origin Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Founded2002;23 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]

References

  1. 1 2 "For retiring artistic director, the Seattle Men's Chorus heralded much more than music". The Seattle Times. June 9, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  2. "Seattle Choruses :: About". www.seattlechoruses.org. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  3. "Choruses' warm embrace helps new director heal, body and soul, after a hit-and-run". The Seattle Times. December 9, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  4. "Local choral figure on career, Seattle job and brutal accident - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive - Windy City Times". Windy City Times. June 14, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  5. BWW News Desk. "SWC & SMC Set Dennis Coleman's Farewell Season" . Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  6. "Seattle Men's, Women's Choruses: 2014-2015 Season - The Seattle Lesbian". theseattlelesbian.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  7. "Seattle Women's Chorus: Legends of Rock". The Stranger. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  8. "Singer Chely Wright Joins Seattle Women's Chorus for "True Country"" . Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  9. "Feelin' a little bit Country? Check out Chely Wright with the Seattle Women's Chorus this weekend. | Seattle Gay Scene | Your Daily Gay In Seattle". seattlegayscene.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  10. "'60s take inspired twists in coming out of the closet". seattlepi.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  11. "Kathy Najimy, Seattle Women's Chorus 'Swing Into Laughter'". The Seattle Times. February 24, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  12. "Seattle Gay News - Mobile Edition - SWC guest Kathy Najimy funny, fierce, and warm - SWC guest Kathy Najimy funny, fierce, and warm - Friday, February 4, 2011 - Volume 39 Issue 05". www.sgn.org. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  13. "Women's chorus event to feature 'Voice' finalis | Bellevue Reporter". Bellevue Reporter. January 11, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  14. birth; documentary, he's lived in Seattle since 2000 He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon; time, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon com In his spare; Movies, He Gets Slightly Obsessive About His Love for Old; Theater, Challenging; otters; vodka; chocolate; "I. "Seattle Women's Chorus and Sarah Rudinoff Prepare To Honor "Legends of Rock" | Seattle Gay Scene | Your Daily Gay In Seattle" . Retrieved February 11, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. "STARLA SPEAKS | Local philanthropist 'makes mark in quiet but effective way' - Queen Anne & Magnolia News". www.queenannenews.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  16. "Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus Combine Forces for Children's Concert at McCaw Hall - The Seattle Lesbian". theseattlelesbian.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  17. Nichols, JamesMichael (November 12, 2013). "Diverse Harmony GSA Youth Chorus Welcomes LGBT Youth". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  18. "VOICES UNITED FOR MARRIAGE". Tacoma Weekly. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  19. "Over the Rainbow". City Arts. September 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  20. "Seattle Men's and Women's Choruses to perform free concerts in Tacoma and Olympia - Get Out". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  21. "Gay marriage wins approval in Wash. state". NY Daily News. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  22. Ashley Fantz (November 9, 2012). "Washington voters pass same-sex marriage, CNN projects - CNNPolitics.com". CNN. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  23. "Same-sex couples now account for 1 in 6 Washington weddings". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  24. 1 2 Michael Martinez (December 6, 2012). "Washington starts issuing same-sex marriage licenses - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  25. "Connelly: Gay power in Seattle: Just look at our power structure". seattlepi.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  26. "Gays in state celebrate recognition of their marriages nationwide". The Seattle Times. June 26, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  27. "20 Photos from Mayor Ed Murray's Rally to Celebrate the US Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage Equality". The Stranger. Retrieved July 7, 2017.