News from Seattle Men’s Chorus Seattle Women’s Chorus

Previewing Seattle Women’s Chorus’s 2014-2015 season: Hallows in the Cathedral: Moonshadow & Reel Women!

SMC member, Bryn Nelson, Shares Insight from the 2014 Germany Tour

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S M C / S W C S E A S O N S P O N S O R

ARTISTICdirections

Now that our 2013-2014 season has drawn to a close, I amoverwhelmed as I refl ect on yetanother tremendous year of music,celebrating our mission of inclusionand acceptance, and feeling such incredible support from thecommunity. Each concert presentsanother opportunity to share joy, tell stories, impact lives, and of course, showcase the remarkable talents of the Choruses. And so long as we see and experiencediscrimination, inequality, andbullying within the LGBTQ community, we’ll continue to lift upour voices in song, fi ghting hatredand fear with passion and love.

In the midst of a hot Seattlesummer, it’s full steam aheadpreparing for our highly anticipated

2014-2015 Season! In October, Seattle Women’s Chorus (SWC)returns to Saint Mark’s Cathedral for the third consecutive year, bringingyou Hallows in the Cathedral: Moonshadow. I’m quite excitedabout this new tradition of Halloween-themed concerts eachfall, and there’s really no bettervenue for such haunting music than the Cathedral. It’s my hope that thisproduction will have a little something for everyone, with a wide variety of music from choralart pieces to pop to an audiencesing-a-long! It’s sure to be abeautiful, mysterious, and all-together magnifi cent show.

As we say farewell to fall, Seattle Men’s Chorus welcomes theholidays and their 35th season (wow!) with Seattle’s OTHER HolidayTraditionTM. …Our Gay Apparel is a

bright and festive productionfeaturing fresh twists on holidayclassics, complete with the campyhumor and fun you’ve come toexpect from SMC. The men will don their favorite gay apparel, from funky sweaters to leather to sparklystilettos, transporting you to awinter wonderland that’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. I hopeyou’ll join us for a magical holiday extravaganza!

In February, SWC returns to the Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center for another unique show. Reel Womenpays tribute to some of the illustrious and talented women of the silver screen, exploring some of our mostbeloved fi lms and the extraordinarywomen who bring them to life. Prepare to be dazzled by this journey through motion pictures – oh, anddon’t forget the popcorn!

SMC will present LEGACY: Tyler’s Suite / I Am Harvey Milk in thekspring, a powerful productionpaying homage to the lives of TylerClementi and Harvey Milk. I amhumbled to honor the lives of these men and the incredible legaciesthey’ve left in the gay community.Then, closing the season in June isQueen – need I say more? If youhaven’t already, there’s still time topurchase season tickets! Whatbetter way to support the Chorusesyou love and be part of all the fun? As always, thank you for yourcontinued support in all we do, andfor being part of our Chorus family.

Dennis ColemanArtistic Director

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D E N N I S CO L E M A N ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

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D E N N I S CO L E M A N ARTISTIC DIRECTOR2014-2015 SEASON

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ARTISTIC/PRODUCTIONASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Eric Lane Barnes

PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANISTS Evan Stults, Nancy Otness Bent

COMPANY MANAGER Halie Looper

BOX OFFICE MANAGER Kevin Carson

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Nancy Hautala

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION/STAGE MANAGER William Frantz

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT MANAGER:

STRATEGIC SERVICES & GRANTS Jacquelyn Rardin

COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER Gerry Kunkel

FUNDRAISING EVENTS MANAGER Tina Davis

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE Anil Vora

GRANT WRITING Julie L. Wilchins, LLC

FINANCEFINANCE DIRECTOR Jennifer Wood

ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE Alison Coates

MARKETINGMARKETING MANAGER Matthew Arnold

MARKETING & OUTREACH ASSOCIATE Liz Dawson

PUBLIC RELATIONS Jennifer Rice LLC

GRAPHIC DESIGN Alan Jazak/Formation Studio

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENT Steven B. CrandallVICE–PRESIDENT Mieke BrouwerSECRETARY Michael HughesTREASURER Bob Davidson

Jonathan Bowman, Jon Frank, Ken Inoue, Fritz King,John Lindgren, Adrienne McEntee, Leann Nester, David Nilsson, Constance Wilkinson

OUR VISIONA world that accepts and values its gay and lesbian citizens.

OUR MISSIONSeattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus entertain, enlighten, unify, and heal our audience and members, using the power of words and music to recognize the value of gayand straight people and their relationships.

The Chorus Prelude is a triannual newsletter published by Flying House Productions. To subscribe, please contact us using the information below.

ADDRESS 319 12th Avenue, Seattle WA 98122–5504

PHONE 206.323.0750

FAX 206.323.9425

WEBSITES FlyingHouse.org SeattleMensChorus.org SeattleWomensChorus.org

BOX OFFICE 206.388.1400 (Mon-Fri, Noon–7:00)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORFrank Stilwagner

ARTISTIC DIRECTORDennis Coleman

On Saturday, May 10th we hosted our 18th Annual Black Tie & Sequins Dinner, Dance, and Auction: A Venetian Ball. It was a night fi lled with excitement, joy, and philanthropy. Our 300 guests enjoyed cocktails, a four course dinner, entertainment and dancing all while supporting the choruses by bidding on the 300+ itemsavailable via the Silent and Live Auctions. By theend of the night, the auction had raised just over$280,000, our largest fundraising event in years!

Thanks to everyone who contributed tothe event, whether by donating an item, volunteering, attending or bidding. You helped tomake the auction a success. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support. Be sure tomark your calendars now! The 19th Annual BlackTie & Sequins Dinner, Dance, and Auction will be held on Saturday, May 9th at Fremont Studios.

A Successful Auction!

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EXECUTIVEdirections

Dear dedicated supporters and patrons:

As we close out our 2013-2014season and begin looking to thefuture, one of the aspects of our mission and goals that mostmotivates me is our outreach.Outreach has long been a vitalcomponent of our organization, but as we move forward it will continueto take on an increased role in ourendeavors.

You may already know that we’vehad a Youth Ticket OutreachProgram for years now, and weare proud to give away hundreds of tickets for each concert run toLGBT youth, along with their friends and families. Just over a year ago, we added bus transportation to

the program. So now we send buses out to outlying areas likeOlympia, Lacey, Federal Way, Everett, and more, to pick up youth who otherwise wouldn’t be ableto attend our concerts. Even inwestern Washington, students and youth often feel isolated. Providingthem free transportation andtickets to our concerts shows themthat they’re not alone and thatthey have a welcoming community within our organization. The busportion of our outreach has grown from three participants the fi rst time we did it, all the way to 75this spring. We hope to continuegrowing this critical program.

I’m also thrilled to announce thatduring July of 2015 both Choruseswill take a trip to Spokane toperform a concert wholly in supportof the local LGBT community. We’ve begun working with some of the agencies and youthcenters in Spokane, and all ticketproceeds will go directly back tothose organizations. It means somuch to me personally to see ourChoruses fulfi lling our mission and spreading our vision of acceptance throughout the state. Our planis to take an outreach trip to

underserved areas on a regular andongoing basis.

Finally, as you’ll read more aboutin this issue, in June, Seattle Men’sChorus traveled to Germany for an outreach tour of great proportions. We took the one-act opera, For a Look or a Touch, ontour through fi ve cities in Germany,and performed at Berlin’s PrideFestival. We had an amazing time, and are grateful to have had theopportunity to tell the story of how two gay lovers were torn apart during the Holocaust. This, of course, is in addition to the regular outreach performances we presentin and around western Washington.Seattle Women’s Chorus recentlypresented a concert in Bremertonto support Kitsap Pride. The Men’s Chorus took a short trip to Langley (Whidbey Island) to help raisefunds for Citizens Against DomesticViolence and Abuse.

We are deeply committed to ouroutreach, in order to help us realizeour vision of a world that accepts and values ALL of its citizens.Thank you for your support of theChoruses and the work we do.

Yours in song,

Frank Stilwagner

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S M C C O N C E R T S P O N S O R

“Thank you for inviting the members of Oasis to see

your performance! We enjoyed your beautiful voices and

lovely acting skills!” – Oasis Youth Center, Tacoma

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY TO A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT:

Youth Ticket Outreach Program

For over two decades, our Youth Ticket Outreach Program has connected LGBT youth (ages 13-21)and their friends and families to aninclusive, supportive community. Through collaboration with nearly50 youth service providers and schools throughout the greaterSeattle area, the Choruses are ableto distribute more than 1,500 freetickets to each of our fi ve main stage concerts throughout theseason.

YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK

In April 2013, we added a fi rst-of-its-kind, FREE chartered busservice, providing transportationto and from our Seattle shows,enabling us to eliminate the barrierof transportation to our concerts for LGBT youth living in more remoteareas. What started with threestudents from Everett attendingSeattle Men’s Chorus’ (SMC)Dancing Queen, grew to over 70 participants from Everett, Federal Way, Olympia, Tacoma, and Lacey attending SMC’s Totally Wicked atdMcCaw Hall, just one year later. TheChoruses are excited to continueexpanding this outreach initiative,ensuring that more youth from

Here’s what some of ourparticipants have had to say aboutthe Youth Ticket Outreach Program:

Each year, the Choruses entertain and enlighten more than 30,000 people. Through the power of music, we continue breaking down barriers, inspiring hope, and changing lives. Yet, our impact would not be nearly as far-reaching if not for the generosity of our patrons, members, friends, and community grantmakers. It’s thanks to people like you that we are able to share a message of acceptance through our concerts, events, and outreach. And trust us - your dollars are hard at work!

“We were brimming with excitement the whole way home! We had so much fun and the show was absolutely incredible. Thank

you again for thinking of Stonewall and making that happen!”

– Stonewall Youth, Olympia

“As a singer I have always been moved by the idea of the program, tearing up on stage the nights the youth are present, but being in the

audience directly with them was a rare and very moving moment.”

– Joe Hopkins, SMC member and Youth Ticket volunteer

more remote parts of our statehave the opportunity to connect with people who celebrate andaccept them just as they are.

Through a recent Power2Givecampaign, hosted by ArtsFund,we raised nearly $3,000 to support this program. Thanks to the generous gifts of our belovedpatrons, friends, and allies, youthwho face daily discrimination, havefeelings of loneliness and despair,or think that there’s no one else like them, have a place to call home when they attend a chorusconcert. It’s a positive, powerful,and life-changing experience forthese youth, many of whom are seeing the Choruses for the fi rst time. And for our members, eitherthose who volunteer on the busesor those who perform, it’s anequally rewarding and eye opening experience, directly witnessing theimpression our Chorus family can have on young people.

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S M C / S W C S E A S O N S P O N S O R

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New PerformanceRisers for our Choruses

At our last couple of concerts, you may have noticed that Seattle Men Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus singers are standing a little taller,having a little more movement and are just generally easier to see and hear. Thanks to grants from 4Culture and The Norcliff e Foundation, we wereable to successfully purchase new performance risers in January!

Because our core mission involves providing accessible high-quality choral performances throughout the region, it was essential that wehave safe risers on which our performers can stand during concerts. Ourold risers dated from 1993, and were no longer safe for use, as well asbeing extremely bulky and diffi cult to transport. Due to their instability and increasing risk of harm to our members, it became necessary for theorganization to recycle them after our June 2013 concert last year.

The new risers by Staging Concepts are portable, and can be used at allof our performance venues in various confi gurations and sizes, providing maximum fl exibility for venues—large or small, ample room for performerchoralography, and high-quality sound production.

In addition, the risers will provide a tremendous resource to other performing arts groups and venues in the region. Since we will only usethe risers on our concert dates throughout the year, we will make the risersavailable for use by other arts groups on over 300 days per year. Becauseof the risers’ modularity, groups will be able to easily use some or all of themodules and set them up elsewhere as needed. The new risers’ featureswill maximize their utility for various groups. They are wide enough toaccommodate chairs for seated performers. For the safety of all performers,including those with mobility impairments, they can be confi gured withmultiple options for escape stairs, guide rails, and wheelchair ramps. Anexcellent way to support our fellow art community at large!

On the Rise

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Associate Artistic Director, Eric Lane Barnes

The concerts for the 2014-2015 season are Hallows in the Cathedral: Moonshadow and Reel Women. How were these themes chosen?

Eric Lane Barnes (ELB): LastOctober SWC presented Hallows in the Cathedral, a mystical journeywith musical themes of light anddark, good and evil, the sacred and profane, all performed by achorus of extravagantly costumedwitches. We are continuing theautumn tradition this year withthemes of the moon. Many of thesongs are moon-centric (‘MoonlightSerenade’, ‘Moondance’, ‘OldDevil Moon’) while others areatmospheric, textural pieces thatlend an air of mystery to the timeof year when the days shorten,shadows lengthen and the air ismisted with a smoky tang. The word‘hallows’ refers to that which is sacred; having this concert in the

SAINT MARK’S CATHEDRAL

FRI, OCT 17, 8:00PM

SAT, OCT 18, 2:00PM

SAT, OCT 18, 8:00PM

FRI, OCT 24, 8:00PM

SAT, OCT 25, 8:00PM

magnifi cent open space of Saint Mark’s Cathedral allows SeattleWomen’s Chorus to explore new and ancient ideas of what ‘sacred’means.

Reel Women delves into the role of women in fi lm, both behind and infront of the camera, with a lively selection of songs, fi lm clips and live narration. The show will explorethe history of women in fi lm, fromthe many women directors of silent fi lm through the glamorizingof women in Hollywood’s goldenage up to recent fi lms made by women. The show will be intercutwith several short fi lms made bylocal women fi lmmakers recreating

famous male scenes with women, and several hilarious ‘comingattractions’ for non-existent fi lms. Unsung women pioneers of fi lm will be featured, alongside Hollywoodfemale trailblazers such as MaryPickford, Hedy Lamarr, Ida Lupino, Judy Holliday, Sigourney Weaver,Oprah Winfrey, Veronica Roth,Penny Marshall, Tilda Swinton and Lupita Nyong’o. The message in themusic of Reel Women will be howmuch women have contributed to the fi lm industry, and how far they have yet to go before theyare considered equal with theircinematic male counterparts.

What is the most surprising or delightful moment in the fall show?

ELB: There is a piece called ‘Ritmo’which is an exuberant potpourriof body rhythms and voices; ahilarious song in which a ladyastronomer reveals that the man in the moon is a lady; a dance beneath a full moon and a group of singingwerewolves.

T I C K E T SONLINE:

SeattleWomensChorus.org

PHONE: 206.388.1400

(Mon-Fri, Noon-7:00PM)

HALLOWS IN THE CATHEDRAL: MOONSHADOW

On April 22nd, the singers of Seattle Women’s Chorus (SWC) gathered together for the fi rst rehearsal of the season. Energy was high as oldfriends embraced, new members nervously found their seats, and Artistic Director Dennis Coleman took the podium to present the music for thefall show, Hallows in the Cathedral: Moonshadow. The night fl ew by as weworked the music, learning measure by measure about the vision Dennisand Associate Artistic Director Eric Lane Barnes have pieced together for a captivating show in Saint Mark’s Cathedral this fall.

Eric generously took the time toanswer some questions about theupcoming season.

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REEL WOMEN CORNISH PLAYHOUSE AT SEATTLE CENTER

THU, FEB 5, 2014, 7:30PM

FRI, FEB 6, 2014, 8:00PM

SAT, FEB 7, 2014, 2:00PM

SAT, FEB 7, 2014, 8:00PM

SUN, FEB 8, 2014, 2:00PM

How does Saint Mark’s Cathedral lend itself to the programming of the Halloween show?

ELB: Since the audience andperformers are in the same spaceat Saint Mark’s Cathedral, it allows SWC to, at times, perform aroundand within the audience. Theacoustics of the Cathedral are quitelive and built for choral music; thisis a venue where Seattle Women’s Chorus is able to shine like thegrand choral group it has become.

When programming each show, what balance do you look for? Are there slots in each show that you look to fi ll with certain categories/types of numbers (i.e., a funny number, a serious number, a big production number, a crowd favorite, etc.)?

ELB: We like to program as wide avariety of music as we can manage for the C horus. With the shows in the Cathedral we can focus on thebeauty and grandeur of the choralsound – this is where more classicalor musically challenging piecescan take shape. At The CornishPlayhouse there is more of anemphasis on show production; here we can do performances that are more theatrical in nature, allowing for video, scripts, choreographyand lighting that are not part of theSaint Mark’s experience. In bothvenues, however, we always try to

achieve a balance of songs that will elicit wonder, laughter, tears,encouragement, and hopefully a better understanding of our worldand what it is like to share it withone another.

Did you incorporate any of your own favorite movie tunes into the spring show?

ELB: The songs for the spring showare still being selected. The fi rst step is to fi nd a theme that works.Then we set to work infusing thattheme with specifi c stories andideas that excite the imagination,and then gathering these storiesand ideas into sections that fl ow from one to another. Into this

fl ow we will weave songs, scenes,monologues and videos to tell thestory of women in fi lm. The show will feature a dazzling collectionof well-loved songs from movies,songs written about movies andmovie stars as well as a few originalpieces composed specifi cally forthe show.

Many thanks to Eric for his beautifully evocative words. I know you can’t wait to see what fantastic elements Dennis and Eric weave into this season. I can’t wait either. See you in the fall!

Tiki Naccarato AndrewUpper First Alto

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Dennis Coleman, Artistic Director, and Eric Lane Barnes, AssociateArtistic Director have done it again…off ering an exciting season of diverse and intriguing programmingthat runs the gamut of emotionsand musical styles sung with the rich choral tones of 200 males voices.

The season begins with the SeattleMen’s Chorus Holiday Show, ...Our Gay Apparel, which opens Saturday,November 29 at Benaroya Hall kicking off SMC’s 35th season!

“I know that our audiences lookforward to hearing a beautiful male choral sound at the holidayseach year … and I’m confi dent this concert will more than fulfi llthat tradition,” Dennis said. “Theconcert features several lush, warm arrangements of holidayfavorites, including some brilliantmash-ups of carols with songs youmight not expect.” Eric agrees!“This holiday show will be bright and splashy, with several funproduction numbers,” he added.“Don’t be surprised, for example,if you see a full-on Ziegfeld Folliesnumber featuring a parade of uglyChristmas sweaters, North Poleresort togs, and Scrooge tellingus all what not to wear.” Ho-ho-hilarious!

On March 28, SMC returns with acompelling tribute to two gay menwhose lives (and deaths) have had a profound impact on the LGBTcommunity – Harvey Milk and TylerClementi. Through new, originalcommissions, this incredibly moving production honors the livesof these two men. Divided into two halves, the fi rst act featuresthe story behind fallen RutgersUniversity student and violinist, Tyler Clementi, and the second act depicts the life and impact of LGBThero, Harvey Milk.

The creators of Tyler’s Suite include:ecomposer Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Wicked ); JohnBucchino, whose songs have been performed by artists fromArt Garfunkel to Patti LuPone;multiplatinum-selling singer, composer, lyricist, pianist, andactress Ann Hampton Callaway (Swing! ); composer and singer CraigCarnelia (Working, Sweet Smell of Success); Winner of the PulitzerPrize, three Grammy Awards, and anAcademy Award, John Corigliano;composer Jake Heggie (For a Look or a Touch, Dead Man Walking, Three Decembers); Emmy winner Lance Horne and lyricist and librettistPamela Stewart, who wrote lyrics for the entire work. Tyler’s Suite isea poignant, heart-rending, soaringand ultimately uplifting piece thatwill touch your very soul.

I Am Harvey Milk was written bykaward-winning composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party, Big Fish). The show weavesthe story of Harvey Milk’s life – from boyhood to his rise asthe fi rst openly gay man to hold public offi ce in California to his assassination. Part choral work, part theater piece, I Am Harvey Milk is an emotional celebrationkof an American icon. Seattle Men’sChorus is very pleased that AndrewLippa – an accomplished singerand pianist - will be performing thetitle role in our presentation of I AmHarvey Milk.

“Both I Am Harvey Milk andk Tyler’s Suite will be given their Seattleepremieres at this concert,” Dennissaid. I Am Harvey Milk received itskfi rst performance last year at the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus June concert. Coincidentally, thatwas the same night that the USSupreme Court overturned Prop 8 in CA. “To say that the concert was electric (in no small part becauseof the powerful music) is an understatement,” Dennis said. “Theuplifting nature of these stories andmusic will demonstrate that we’vecome a long way in society, but still have a long way to go.”

What do “gay apparel”… “two gayicons”… and a big ol’ Queen have incommon? The 2014/2015 Seattle Men’s Chorus Season … that’s what!

GAYER...GAY...

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...OUR GAY APPARELBENAROYA HALLSAT, NOV 29, 2:00PM

SUN, NOV 30, 2:00PM

FRI, DEC 12, 8:00PM

SUN, DEC 14, 2:00PM

SUN, DEC 14, 7:30PM

SUN, DEC 21, 7:30PM

MON, DEC 22, 7:30PM

THE TRIPLE DOORSAT, SEP 13, 8:00PM

SAT, SEP 20, 8:00PM

SUN, SEP 21, 7:00PM

OUTREACH PERFORMANCES:

TACOMA / Pantages Theatre THU, DEC 4, 8:00PM

TICKETS: BROADWAYCENTER.ORG

EVERETT / Everett Civic AuditoriumSAT, DEC 20, 8:00PM

T I C K E T S

And, if you’re going to end apowerful season, end it big – with Queen! Opening on Saturday, June20th, the men of SMC perform yourfavorite Queen hits like “We Are the Champions,” “Another One Bitesthe Dust,” “We Will Rock You” and“Bohemian Rhapsody.” The list goeson! “QUEEN with Freddy Mercury defi ned a certain gay sensibilityin rock music,” Dennis said. “It’salso music that works for a choralgroup... along with a knock-out leadguitarist. Everyone knows and loves the music.”

Get ready to experience thedelights of the holidays, the impactof an individual’s life on the world, and the full power of Queen,produced with the magic and fl airthat you know and expect fromSeattle Men’s Chorus. Come join usin 2014/2015… it’s a season youwon’t forget!

We’re all a little “starstruck” when it comes to our favorite movie stars. But nobody does it better – or more hilariously - than musical funnymen Captain Smartypants. From silent fi lm star Charlie Chaplin to noisy fi lm star Sandra Bullock, Starstruck shines the spotlight on the movies we love the most, and those we love to roast.

A few of the sights you’ll see on the Starstruck red carpet:

• A Disney princess duking it out with a Disney villain in song.

• Batman jazzing it up with three of his nemeses.

• Oscar-losing songs strutting their stuff in front of Oscar-winning songs.

• Macho movie hunks proving their sexy mettle to us mere mortals (in song).

Starstruck also includes three very personal “movie song stories” in which movies and their music played a pivotal role in a life-changing event. In one such story, a young gay man decides Beautiful Thing and its Mama Cass soundtrack is the perfect opportunity to dramatically come out to his family. Another story relates a coming-of-age tale that takes place at a Dustin Hoff man drive-in double-feature (Midnight Cowboy and Tootsie), with a painfully awkward double date and a surprising fi rst kiss from the coolest guy in high school.

Starstruck also features a touching tribute to the beautiful actresses that gay men have fallen in love with through the years, a raft of movie mashups (including “Man of Steel Magnolias” and “Jesus Christ Superstar Trek”) and what theme songs from Gravity, Cabin in the Woods, and Prometheus would have been like.

Starstruck is Captain Smartypants’ fi rst feature-length appearance at The Triple Door. With a state-of-the-art sound system, concert grand piano, and full-sized movie screen (for the many videos that accompany the show), you will imbibe and dine in comfort and style (The Triple Door shares a kitchen with Wild Ginger, housed upstairs.) Come see why artists like Suzanne Vega, Vicci Martinez, Rufus Wainwright, Quincy (and Jack) Jones and Sweet Honey in the Rock have earned The Triple Door the title ‘Seattle’s best live music venue.’

Starstruck Captain Smartypants Goes to the Movies!

GAYEST!

ONLINE: SeattleMensChorus.org

PHONE: 206.388.1400

(Mon-Fri, Noon-7:00PM)

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A paparazzi scrum. A sea of rainbow umbrellas.The German premiere of a vital mini-opera aboutthe Holocaust. And an utterly charming song about penguins.

OK, let me explain. On June 19, about 125 of usconverged on Berlin for the fi rst leg of our four-city tour through Germany. In addition to about 75 singing members of Seattle Men’s Chorus and sevenmembers of Heartland Men’s Chorus from Kansas City, we were joined by musicians, staff , signifi cant othersand friends. There have been so many unforgettable moments for me in the days since then, but hopefullyI can give you at least a taste of what the experiencehas been like.

June 20 began with moving visits to the Holocaust Memorial, Gay Holocaust Memorial in the Tiergarten and a surviving section of the Berlin Wall transformed into an art gallery. I was particularly gratifi ed to see theU.S. Embassy, right next to Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate,prominently fl ying the Pride fl ag in its lobby.

We made our fi rst appearance that evening at the Deutsches Theater for the Stonewall Gala. The celebration honored people both in Germany andaround the world for their contributions to tolerance and equality. What really had the German media buzzing, though, was the expectation that Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst would be in attendance. As a result, we had the surreal experience of serenading arriving dignitaries in the courtyard - including famous Irish drag queen Panti Bliss - while the gatheredpaparazzi shouted instructions at them.

The frenzy culminated with the arrival of the famouslybearded Conchita, who looked on serenely while being encircled by screaming photographers as wesang, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” At one point,the jostling got so intense that the media pushed our director, Dennis Coleman, off to the side. Undaunted, he raised his arms over his head and directed usfrom behind the sea of cameras, and Conchita soonappeared in numerous photos with the chorus as her backdrop.

On Saturday, June 21, we marched in Berlin’sChristopher Street Day parade with rainbow umbrellas, which came in handy on a cool, occasionally rainyafternoon. Being part of such a big event was anamazing experience, and we were warmly greeted by a long line of onlookers who seemed to love our sea of matching shirts and twirling, bobbing umbrellas. After

the parade, we had an even bigger thrill: singing four songs on the main stage to thousands and thousands of enthusiastic fans - the biggest live audience we’ve ever had. “Happy” soon had the entire crowd clapping along and when we ended with “Tired of the Silence,” whichincludes the words of gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk,our fi nal “Come out!” was met with a roar.

At our fi rst full concert, in Berlin’s dramaticAdmiralspalast theater, we premiered For a Look or a Touch for a small but appreciative audience that included a Nigerian LGBT activist, a well-known gay rabbi and one of the fi lm makers of Paragraph 175, the documentary on which the mini-opera is based. Beforeour fi rst entrance, I felt more than a few butterfl ies: howwould a German audience respond to such a deeplypersonal and emotional story? I soon had my answer: chorus members were thanked again and again after the show by truly touched concert goers. We also received a glowing review on the queer.dewebsite, which remarked on how important it was to have a gay chorus deliver such a powerful message.

At our next stop in the picturesque city of Leipzig, we were hosted by the very friendly and talented menof the local gay chorus, Tollkirschen. Our concert, at the Theater der Jungen Welt, proved to be anothergreat success. The overwhelming emotion of the fi rst half - particularly when we sang the mournful ballad “100,000 Stars” from balconies above the audience- was balanced by an uplifting second half of newanthems and American classics like Gershwin’s “LittleJazz Bird.” At least for me, however, Tollkirschen’s funny and charming “Penguin Mambo” stole the show.

A German television station devoted a lengthy segment to the concert the following evening. We’ve also been covered by the Jewish press, a classical music news site,and the European News Agency, and we’re so thankful that our message is being heard.

Next up are Dresden, Buchenwald and Cologne, and I’ll be back to give you my impressions of the tour’ssecond half.

The following article was written by SMC singer, Bryn Nelson, while on tour through Germany in June, 2014.

“Falling in Love Again ” and

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again, and again, and again...

Dresden, Germany had always been synonymous inmy mind with the senseless devastation of war. I knew that the once-lovely city had been largely rebuilt sinceWWII but I was wholly unprepared for the breathtakingbeauty and grace of the city center, where extensive renovations have restored many of the famouslandmarks to their former grandeur.

For the third major concert of our Germany tour, we made a day trip on June 25 from Leipzig to sing in Dresden’s St. Pauli Ruine, a venue that encapsulates the city’s rise from the ashes. Today, the bombed-out andhalf-ruined church is a fantastic concert and theatervenue covered with a glass roof. The visual eff ect is stunning, and the acoustics are superb.

With such a poignant reminder of the war all around us, our concert there took on added meaning, and many of us agreed that the sound, the emotion and the terrifi c audience response made this our best performanceyet. Baritone Morgan Smith and actor Kip Niven, whohave played Manfred Lewin and Gad Beck with such passion, always make my eyes blur near the end of ourFor a Look or a Touch opera. For this production, Morgan climbed to the top of the church for a solo that sent shivers down my spine. It was mesmerizing.

We ended the evening with our a cappella signature,“Over the Rainbow.” In this unforgettable setting, it wasa song of hope and encouragement. It’s also something we sing often at the funerals of chorus members. And so it seemed a fi tting tribute when we sang it again thenext day at a simple memorial in a large clearing on a wooded hillside above the town of Weimar: the Nazis’Buchenwald concentration camp.

We had stopped here on our way to Cologne. To sing. To mourn. To cry. To remember that this is why we’re here. And the reminders at a site where morethan 56,000 people died were overwhelming. Thecrematorium and solitary confi nement cells have been preserved, the foundations of the prisoners’ barracks have been carefully demarcated, and there’sa plaque with a pink triangle that memorializes the650 “homosexual men that suff ered here.” Our guide described one particularly cruel form of torture thatwas right out of For a Look or a Touch.

I knew that the proceeds of our concerts in Germanyhad been earmarked for the foundation that runs the Buchenwald memorial, but being here in person gavethe trip a far deeper resonance. We gathered in a semi-circle, in front of the foundations of a barracks that held Jewish prisoners, and sang, “The Buchenwald Song,”

The following article was also written by SMC singer, Bryn Nelson, immediately following the tour through Germany in June, 2014.

written by the prisoners themselves. It speaks of hope,of freedom, of saying yes to life. We followed with “Over the Rainbow,” and the Kaddish prayer by several members. There were few dry eyes on our walk back to the buses.

For our fi nal concert, we performed June 27 at the Friedenskirche (or Church of Peace) in Krefeld, about an hour north of Cologne. Like so many others, thischurch was heavily damaged in WWII and had tobe extensively rebuilt. Before the concert, a churchmember invited several of us to climb up the restoredbell tower and take in a sweeping view of the town andits surroundings.

Before a small but energetic audience, we shared the story of Gad and Manfred and then our American repertoire one last time. For one of our encores, the church pastor and cantor had a special request: ABBA. We obliged with “Lay All Your Love on Me.” And aftera hearty German-style barbecue with our hosts, the church organist returned the favor with a fantasticABBA medley.

On the evening of June 28, our entire tour groupgathered for a farewell dinner cruise on the Rhine River in Cologne. Aboard the boat, we were no longer SeattleMen’s Chorus or Heartland Men’s Chorus or staff ormusicians or allies but one big family that had bondedover 10 remarkable days. We laughed and hugged,sang and danced, and took pictures of each other and the dramatic nighttime skyline.

Liebe gewinn. Love wins.

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S M C / S W C S E A S O N S P O N S O R

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S M C / S W C S E A S O N S P O N S O R

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over the years so as we looked to expand our support of the LGBT community last year, the Choruses quickly jumped to the top of the list. Weadmire and appreciate the role that Flying House plays as one of the nation’s largest and most impactful cultural institutions promoting acceptanceand providing a voice for the LGBT community. It is an honor to be able to support the continued growth of this amazing organization that has positively impacted the lives of our team members and so many others.

That vision of acceptance aligns perfectly with who Wells Fargo is as afi rm—we value and promote diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our business and at every level of our organization. We want to build and maintain a culture where our team members feel valued and respectedfor who they are as well as for the skills and experiences they bring to ourcompany. We want team members to feel comfortable and enjoy being part of our community, knowing they can build a career at Wells Fargo and help the company succeed. That view extends into the community and to valuing other organizations that share that vision of acceptance and inclusion like the Chorus’s.

In addition to supporting the great work of this organization—andindirectly those team members who care deeply about the Chorus’ssuccess—our fi nancial support also allows us the opportunity to entertain hundreds of our very best clients with beautiful music, many of whom are new audience members.

Wells Fargo was one of the fi rst large companies in the United States to implement policies allowing same sex couples the same benefi ts as any other employee. We have a long and proud history of leadership, commitment, and support in the LGBT Community. In fact, last year wewere recognized by Diversity Inc. as the Top Company in the United States for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Employees. In addition, everyyear since 2003, we have received a perfect score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index: Rating American Workplaces on LGBT Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.

The Private Bank has local specialists who help wealthy Washingtonians innon-traditional, same sex or unmarried relationships navigate the myriadof life and fi nancial planning issues post R74 and the Supreme Court’sDOMA ruling. We are very good wealth managers and if you aren’t already working with us, we would like to start a conversation. And some of ourteam members have beautiful voices.

What sets Wells Fargo Bank Private Bank apart from other fi nancial

institutions that should make our patrons want to do business with you?

What is one thing our patrons should know about Wells Fargo that

they don’t already know?

What is the greatest benefi t you receive by sponsoring Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus

(tangible or otherwise)?

The Chorus’s vision is to work towards a world that accepts

and values its gay and lesbian citizens. What does that mean to you as a company to be tied

to that statement through your sponsorship of SMC and SWC?

2013 was the fi rst year that Wells Fargo Private Bank

sponsored Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus.

What drew you to support us?

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Don’t miss a single beat!

SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS

JUNE 20 & 21, 2015MCAW HALL

SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS

MARCH 28 & 29, 2015MCAW HALL

SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS

FEBRUARY 5-8, 2015 CORNISH PLAYHOUSE AT

SEATTLE CENTER

SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS

OCTOBER 17, 18, 24 & 25, 2014SAINT MARK’S CATHEDRAL

SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS

NOVEMBER 29 – DECEMBER 22, 2014BENAROYA HALL

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NOTESclef

SEATTLE MENS CHORUSSEATTLE WOMENS CHORUS

SMCSWC

SMC–SWC.TUMBLR.COM

@SMC_CHORUS@SWC_CHORUS

/FLYINGHOUSESEATTLE

BOX OFFICE 206.388.1400 (Mon-Fri, Noon–7:00)

ONLINE FlyingHouse.org SeattleMensChorus.org SeattleWomensChorus.org

CHORUS AUDITIONS: Seattle Men’s Chorus andSeattle Women’s Chorusconduct auditions twice per year. Auditions are by appointment only. To request an audition,visit FlyingHouse.org.

RECORDINGS: To purchase our CDs pleasevisit FlyingHouse.org or call206.388.1400. All of our music is now available to buy online as MP3s throughiTunes and Amazon.

GROUP SALES: Groups of 10 or more qualify for special discountsand advance purchaseprivileges. Group tickets canbe purchased any time andare not restricted by on-sale dates. Ten to 49 receive a 10% discount, 50 or morereceive a 20% discount. For more information, contact the box offi ce.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscribe today andreap exclusive benefi ts all season long: 10% off single ticket prices, advance purchasing privileges, best seats in the house, freeexchanges, and more.

UPCOMING 2014-2015 SMC & SWC CONCERTS

CAPTAIN SMARTYPANTS

STARSTRUCK

THE TRIPLE DOOR

SATURDAY 09/13/14 8:00PM

SATURDAY 09/20/14 8:00PM

SUNDAY 09/21/14 7:00PM

SEATTLE WOMEN’S CHORUS

HALLOWS IN THE CATHEDRAL:MOONSHADOW

SAINT MARK’S CATHEDRAL

FRIDAY 10/17/14 8:00PM

SATURDAY 10/18/14 2:00PM

SATURDAY 10/18/14 8:00PM

FRIDAY 10/24/14 8:00PM

SATURDAY 10/25/14 8:00PM

UPCOMING SMC & SWC FUNDRAISING EVENTS

INTERLUDE BREAKFASTGATHER & GIVE

HERBAN FEASTTHURSDAY 09/18/14 5:30PM

Cour

tesy

of A

na G

aste

yer

with keynote speaker Ana Gasteyer

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

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S M C S E A S O N S P O N S O R

ARTFULLY YOUNIQUE

In town to catch a show, play, symphony or visit a museum? Stay at

the Renaissance Seattle and save with our Explore the Arts Package!

To reserve your room, call 800-228-9290

or visit renaissanceseattle.com

RENAISSANCE SEATTLE HOTEL

515 Madison Street

Seattle, WA 98104

t: 206.583.0300

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Flying House Productions319 12th AvenueSeattle, WA 98122-5504

M I S S I O N

V I S I O N

A world that accepts and values its gay and lesbian citizens.

Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus entertain, enlighten, unify and heal our audience and members, using the power of words and music to recognize the value of gay and straight people and their relationships.

Phot

o by

Con

rado

Tap

ado

S M C / S W C E V E N T S P O N S O R