Just out., August 17, 2001, Page 15, Image 15

august 17. 2001 » f u t M it:
nrrrnTïïTnsinews
a real stereo store
for real music lovers
P ipe D reams
Hundreds of choral directors and singers come together for a valuable
leadership conference by R ichard B ra y
enjoyed by the lesbian and gay
choral movement, and lesbian
and gay choruses can benefit
from exposure to the superb
people and resources here in
Portland.”
O ther conference high­
lights include choral concerts
8 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 at
the Newmark Theatre featur­
ing PGMC, the Portland Les­
bian Choir, Bridges Vocal
Ensemble and three festival
choirs composed of singers
from around the world.
The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus will learn how to strengthen
According to Mensel, the
the organization during Labor Day weekend
Friday concert will be “upbeat,
very positive and a great night out for the open­
ortland will play host to more than 550
ing of Labor Day weekend." He says it will have
choral directors and singers during the
a “Best of Portland” or “Best of Our Gay Com­
16th Gay and Lesbian Association of
munity” theme.
Choruses Leadership Conference and
Singers Weekend from Aug. 31 to
Confirmed guest artists include Diane Syrcle
Opera; Ann Tedards, University of
Sept. 3 at the Portland Hilton. The theme of of Portland
the
Oregon Graduate School of Music dean; and
gathering, appropriately, is “Why 1 Sing!"
Bao Nguyen, a local chef who will sing an aria
As a “working” conference, more than 65
from a Vietnamese opera. Also appearing will be
clinics, workshops and roundtables will be held
Brian Haliski, who will perform the monologue
on a wide variety of subjects. Attendees will fine-
from Torch Song Trilogy, and Mary McCarty, a
tune their skills on fund raising, board develop­
professional flute player.
ment, leadership, conducting and diversity.
Composed of more than 190 members with a
Mensel particularly is excited about this con­
cert. “It’s been many years since all four gay and
total of 10,000 singers, G A LA is the umbrella
lesbian musical organizations from Portland
organization for gay and lesbian choruses from
have
come together on one evening.”
Australia to South America. It produces music
festivals and training conferences such as this
Immediately after the concert, a swing dance
will be held in the lobby. Music will be provided
one being held in Portland and serves as a
resource center for information.
by the Rose City Swing Band.
Actively promoting social change, the asso­
Sunday evening’s concert will feature three
ciation’s vision is “Our voices win freedom.” To
Willamette Valley choruses: Jubilate! from Cor­
vallis, Soromundi from Eugene and Confluence
that end, Portland was chosen as the location
from Salem. Also performing will be the Festival
for this year’s conference in part because Oregon
Chorus from the conference.
continually is targeted by anti-gay groups.
A banquet and a silent auction are planned
“Music has always played an important role in
for Sept. 1 at the Portland Hilton, j n
social change movements,” says Kenneth Cole,
GALA executive director. “Those of us convening
Registration information fo r the 2001 LEADERSHIP
in Portland will do so because we recognize that,
C onference and S ingers W eekend is available
through our music, we can create a world that
online at www.galachoruses.org or by calling
accepts and values its lesbian and gay citizens.”
202-467'5830. Concert tickets will be available at
Organizers stress that this conference is defi­
the door, through Ticketmaster or by contacting the
nitely an open event. Arts leaders and members of
Portland G ay M en’s Chorus at 503-226-2588.
the gay and lesbian community are invited as well.
Bob Mensel, Portland Gay M en’s Chorus
RIC H A R D B r a y is a Portland free-lance writer. He
artistic director, believes, “Those of us in Port­
can be reached at richhray2000@hotm ail.com .
land can learn much from the many successes
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