Seattle Women's Chorus
Choir
OriginSeattle, Washington, U.S.
Founded2002 (2002)
Music directorPaul Caldwell
AffiliationGay and Lesbian Association of Choruses
WebsiteOfficial 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]

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. 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  2. ↑ "Seattle Choruses :: About". www.seattlechoruses.org. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  3. ↑ "Choruses' warm embrace helps new director heal, body and soul, after a hit-and-run". The Seattle Times. 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  4. ↑ "Local choral figure on career, Seattle job and brutal accident - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive - Windy City Times". Windy City Times. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  5. ↑ BWW News Desk. "SWC & SMC Set Dennis Coleman's Farewell Season". Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  6. ↑ "Seattle Men's, Women's Choruses: 2014-2015 Season - The Seattle Lesbian". theseattlelesbian.com. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  7. ↑ "Seattle Women's Chorus: Legends of Rock". The Stranger. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  8. ↑ "Singer Chely Wright Joins Seattle Women's Chorus for "True Country"". Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  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 2017-07-07.
  10. ↑ "'60s take inspired twists in coming out of the closet". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  11. ↑ "Kathy Najimy, Seattle Women's Chorus 'Swing Into Laughter'". The Seattle Times. 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  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 2017-07-07.
  13. ↑ "Women's chorus event to feature 'Voice' finalis | Bellevue Reporter". Bellevue Reporter. 2013-01-11. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  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 2020-02-11.{{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 2017-07-07.
  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 2017-07-07.
  17. ↑ Nichols, JamesMichael (2013-11-12). "Diverse Harmony GSA Youth Chorus Welcomes LGBT Youth". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  18. ↑ "VOICES UNITED FOR MARRIAGE". Tacoma Weekly. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  19. ↑ "Over the Rainbow". City Arts. 2012-09-27. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved 2017-07-07.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  20. ↑ "Seattle Men's and Women's Choruses to perform free concerts in Tacoma and Olympia - Get Out". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  21. ↑ "Gay marriage wins approval in Wash. state". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  22. ↑ Ashley Fantz (9 November 2012). "Washington voters pass same-sex marriage, CNN projects - CNNPolitics.com". CNN. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  23. ↑ "Same-sex couples now account for 1 in 6 Washington weddings". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  24. 1 2 Michael Martinez (6 December 2012). "Washington starts issuing same-sex marriage licenses - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  25. ↑ "Connelly: Gay power in Seattle: Just look at our power structure". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  26. ↑ "Gays in state celebrate recognition of their marriages nationwide". The Seattle Times. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  27. ↑ "20 Photos from Mayor Ed Murray's Rally to Celebrate the US Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage Equality". The Stranger. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
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