_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 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.