44 J u s t o u t • September 19.2003
PEOPLE
▼
About Schmitt
New director adds spark to the fire
in the eye of the Portland Lesbian Choir
by
M arie F leischmann
covered my love for teaching music,” says
Schmitt, who uses her degree in music education
to teach at two area high schixds. “ I sang in
nightclubs, jazz festivals, commercials and did stu
dio work— all the time teaching music at various
universities, colleges and churches.”
Schm itt will continue to direct Bridges and
“ to sing at various casual events and churches”
while directing the choir.
Sylvan Rainwater is both a member o f
Bridges and the lesbian choir. “ From my unique
perspective.. .having sung with Darcy for several
years now, I know that she’s fun to work with
and at the same time exacting,” she notes. “ I’ve
learned a lot from singing with her. She’s a gtxxl
teacher, an d...I believe she will work well with
PLC and help us to find our unique sound.”
T h e choir has great plans to becom e an even
bigger part o f Portland’s thriving lesbian co m
munity. “New direction? ...Every director puts
their ow n fingerprint on the choir they direct,”
muses Schmitt, who says she’s excited about
“helping each person in the choir improve
leir very personal voice. I hope to bring a
lot o f enthusiasm and professionalism to
the conceits— including changing the
format o f the concerts to better show
case talented
individuals in
the choir. W e
will also he kxiking
for more perform
ances in the
community to
exhibit the
beauty o f an
all-wom en
choir.”
Schm itt
D arcy Schmitt leads the Portland Lesbian C h o ir into a new season
shares that anoth
Schmitt has com bined her love o f choral
er o f her personal goals is to “bring the choir
music with her authentic leadership skills to pro
hack to its former size. I just know that there
duce such success stories as Bridges Vcx:al Ensem
are wom en in the com m unity w ho want to sing
ble (w hich started as the love child o f the Port
and are just looking for the right group— a
land Gay M en’s Chonis and the Portland Les
choir with som ething to offer."
bian C hoir) and performs many different styles
“ I am very excited about Darcy as director
o f music, including jazz, folk, pop and classical.
because o f her energy, her skills, her teaching
Under Schm itt’s direction, Bridges has
ability and her sense o f humor,” expresses Karen
received rave reviews at its international
Carlisle, alto rep to the choir’s music committee.
G A L A Choruses performances, and she says
“ I like her style. I think having her as director
we should expect nothing
will attract new members and
less from her plans for the
maybe bring hack some old
Portland Lesbian Choir. “ You
members. I believe her pres
can continue to expect quali
ence will. ..lead us to give
ty and fun in all the ch oir’s
our best musically. I think
concerts,” she affirms.
she will push us beyond our
T h e ch oir’s last director,
comfort zone, and that is
Teri Beemer, decided to step
exciting to me because I like
dow n and take some time off
to grow!”
from the choir, which begins
G row th, both in m em
its practice schedule this
bership and in audience size,
month.
seems to he the theme o f
“ I’m h Hiking forward to
this choir with a new spark
working with Darcy because o f
o f energy. Kristan Burkert
her ability to add artistic vision
—Karen Carlisle adds, “ I’m hoping lots o f
to a song— going way beyond
folks com e join us as we start
learning the notes," says Kristan Burkert, the
o ff this new chapter o f the ch oir’s history.” J H
choir’s steering committee coordinator. “ I enjoy
her.. .positive, supportive spirit when she is help
The P o r t l a n d L e s b ia n C h o ir will produce two
ing us learn the music. I know we’ll always he
concerts this season m February and May 2004. For
proud o f our work when we get on stage with her,
details e-mail portlaidlesbianchon@ honnail.com or visit
and I think the audience will enjoy her energy.”
www.plchoir.orf j.
Schmitt has had a love affair with music since
childhixxl. “ I sang all through schtxil and started
M arie F leischmann is a smger/songwriter with
singing professionally in high school...thanks to
the band Pirate Jane arid the Editorial .Assistant at
a very astute and caring music teacher, I also dis
Just O ut.
H I | cam e out o f the wom b singing,” pro
claims Darcy Schmitt. “ My m other sang,
and I grew up with music as a very inti
mate and important part o f my life.”
W h ich is a good start for this new director
o f the Portland Lesbian Choir.
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“I believe
her presence
will...lead us
to give our
best musically.
She will push us
beyond our
com fort zone