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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2002)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ may 17, 2002 » $ÊÊtmm l g G ........... R O ¥ U PS ............ • htrteen years has changed Soro- mundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene, which celebrates its anniversary with a spring concert June 1 at the Hult Center. Founder and co-director Karm Hagedom and original member Pat Shirley were at Portlands Pride Parade in 1989 watching the year-old Portland Lesbian Choir march hy. Shirley asked Hagedom, “Why don’t you start something like that in Eugene?” The rest, as they say, is history. In the fall of that same year Hage dom and her partner invited five women into their home to sing—camp songs, Beatles tunes and high school favorites. The women played records, sang along and harmonized to oldies. The group of seven soon became 20. Named after a star and literally translated “Sisters of the World,” it’s always been important to members (or “mundis” ) to identify the chorus as 1 Before a recent performance, the venues staff suggested marketing the group as a "womens" choir rather than a lesbian one. “Well,” Hage dom replied, “that’s the whole point.” |agedom’s experience in group song was part [ of the original impetus to start her own thing. “Women sang soprano, second sopra no, alto and second alto but were not allowed to dip below middle C ,” she explains. "I have a voice that occasionally dips down to the low C. I was rarely given the opportunity to sing where most of my natural chest voice wants to be.” Hagedom began arranging parts for women’s voices with deeper capacity, which created a unique sound among choral groups. Audience feedback was immediate, and she continued to arrange the music according to the power of the voices. In less than a year, the women were perform ing at Eugene’s Unitarian Universalist Church and at the Eugene Celebration, while rehearsals were moved from Hagedom s home into an ele mentary school. Co-director Lisa Hellemn soon joined as accompanist and provided support to Hage dom, she says, by “pulling the parts out.” Hagedom adds with a laugh: “Nothing at the time was written down. I had an idea in my head how I wanted the harmonies to come out, but 1 didn’t give them music or words or anything. I made them stand on risers and learn their parts, hy god." Hellemn’s background in choir music created some structure in the burgeoning group. By 1993, the choir had grown to 35 members and created a steering committee. In the midst of conflicts and challenges during this time, Hage- Lesbian chorus celebrates Soromun dom and di s music is some other more ethnic members left by S usan D etroy in style, less the chorus, - formal in and Hellemn genre. It’s music about “the roots and connected agreed to lead remaining members through 1995. ness we feel,” Hellemn offers. Hagedom’s non- Hellemn characterizes it as a “painful.. .year.” traditional use of the whole lower register of women’s voices and Hellemn’s musical arrange ellemn reorganized and revamped the ments have created an unusual style. group in 1996, and after much hard work “ It is really rare that Soromundi would see and practice Soromundi set off on its first sheet music from a publisher,” Hagedom says. tour in 1998, visiting various Oregon cities. “Most things are arranged by Lisa or by me The trip and its preparation gave the chorus specifically for our choir." an opportunity to develop pride and improve Development director Amber Lunch adds, performance quality. “A lot of gay choruses have people who have In 1999 Soromundi recorded a CD , Senti- some musical ability, but menuil Journey — a project their directors don’t that provided the oppor arrange the music or have tunity for Hellemn to ask the expertise that we Hagedom to return to the have...we got lucky.” choir she started. Hage Soromundi offers pop dom returned to share and classical as well as lyrics directorship. in Italian and Swahili. This “I had always wanted year’s repertoire includes to work with Karm again,” Ann Read’s “Heroes,” a Hellemn shares. “We had great fun working togeth Co-directors Karm Hagedom (left) and beautiful memoir of women who’ve shaped our world; er, and I...always had Lisa Hellemn keep the spirit up and “Everything Possible,” a lul wanted to reunite the the harmonies flowing laby by Fred Smalls; “Muse choir and Karm.” um Cases,” originally performed by Ulali, which H agedom remarks, “I am very grateful for explores representations of Native Americans in that.” museums; and “MLK,” a song by U2 about Martin Luther King Jr. n August of last year, Soromundi opened the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Choir Directors | ew member Chris Ashbum, graphic conference at Portland’s Performing Arts Cen ; designer by day and tenor section leader by ter. “The group just blew them away!” Hellemn night, is learning what the development exclaims. “The audience would not sit down.” 13 years of ups (and downs) From the writer and producers of SMOKE SIGNALS A new film written and directed by t falfsApori = EVAN ADAMS MICHELLE S I JOHN GENE TAGABAN THE BUSINESS Of FANCYDANCING KEVIN PHILLIP REBECCA CARROLL am SWIL KANIM M r t r D « * - JONATHAN SATUREN l * ft«*«» CRAIG MARKPC (a-f>o*rtri DANIEL ARMSTRONG *c CHRISTY COT BRADFORD C BONO * * JOHN BENEAR d > « * <t ftmgnpo» m* HOLLY TAYLOR * o * « r U l t Y ESTES on) SCOTT ROSEHfELT SHERMAN p O E Guild Theatre director does. Cross-training each other keeps individuals from “burn ing out,” Lunch explains, and allows members to build connections and learn to work together. The depar ture and return of Hagedom has worked as a tool in making the group more resilient. Ashbum comments that she was drawn to Soromundi (now about 58 strong) because “the mist and cama raderie of people on stage was visible. It was so compelling. I wanted to be part of what I was seeing.” She then explains what keeps her coming back. “I get to hang out with a group of strong-minded, independent, well-educated, outspoken women who like to sing.... It is one of the most supportive groups I have ever been a part of.” The co-directors’ skills as musi cians and leaders have contributed to i trust level, maintains Hellemn. “We work together really well...the organization is very healthy.” Loud and proud: Soromundi is not taking the lesbian >ut of lesbian chorus May 31— June 6: Fri— Thur, 7 & 9pm; Sat & Sun 3,5,7 & 9pm Sherman A lexie w ill introduce the film May 31_______________ j oromundi is a nonprofit but still contributes to organizations such as Basic Rights Oregon, * Siuslaw High School Band, the Florence Middle School Band Travel Fund and Mother Kali’s Books. It performs at Eugene Pride Day and provides gift baskets for the event’s raffle. The choir lent money to the popular Eugene women’s a cappella group the Motet Singers to finance productiotj^of its acclaimed debut CD. It also sponsors a women’s softball team, the Soromundi Sluggers, with members ranging in age from 19 to 63. Soromundi sings at local and statewide events, including the Holiday Market, the MLK Celebration, memorials, weddings, politi cal rallies, vigils and church services. “I would say that everything we have done has made us more and more and more open and welcom ing,” Hagedom concludes. S oromundi L esbian C horus of E ugene celebrates 1 3 years of music with its spring concert Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary 7:30 pm June I at the Hult Center „ 1 Eugene Center. Tickets are $ 15 from 5 4 1 -682-5000 or tickets. com. Interested in joining Soromundi? There are no auditions and no experience required—just a desire to sing. Open to any woman regardless of identity. Dues are a sliding scale, and no one is turned way for lack of funds. For further information call 541-746-2220, e-mail member®soromundi.org or visit www.soromundi.org. SUSAN D etroy is a Eugene free-lance writer.
