As we announced in our most recent email blast, Seattle Pro Musica has been invited to sing with the Seattle Symphony Chorale, Northwest Boychoir, and Seattle Symphony Orchestra for two performances of Britten’s War Requiem in June of 2013 – Britten’s Centenary. Many of you know that the War Requiem is one of the towering achievements of the 20th century, and a piece we have wanted to perform for years. This is a wonderful opportunity for us – and recognition of all the hard work we’ve done to achieve such high standards of quality.
What you don’t yet know is that next year, in our 40th anniversary season, Seattle Pro Musica will be joining the ranks of the choral elite – groups such as Chanticleer, the Dale Warland Singers, the Chicago Symphony and Chorale, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, among others. For the past 4 years, Karen has been working to position Seattle Pro Musica for an undertaking of national scope and importance – and I’m thrilled to announce that all the stars have aligned!
Our performance of the War Requiem in June 2013 will be the featured concert on a national conference of choral music luminaries – professional conductors, musicians, and arts administrators – and Seattle Pro Musica has been selected as one of the co-hosting organizations! We will be working in partnership with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Chorale to plan and co-host the 2013 conference of Chorus America right here in Seattle!
Chorus America is the national advocacy and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. They are headquartered in Washington DC, and serve choral conductors, administrators, board members, and singers throughout the country – most especially professional choruses and professional-level community choruses. More than 2,000 choruses, individuals, and organizations are members of Chorus America and gather annually for the national conference to network and share ideas and performances. Past conference hosts have included the groups I mentioned above: Chanticleer, the Dale Warland Singers, the Chicago Symphony and Chorale, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.
In June 2013 leaders in the choral field from all over the country will gather here is Seattle – to hear Seattle’s top choirs, and to experience all that our amazing city has to offer. This is important not only for Seattle Pro Musica, but also for all the performing arts in Seattle. Hosting the Chorus America conference is an acknowledgement at a national level that Seattle Pro Musica is among the very best choirs in America. And it’s because of you, our wonderful family of supporters, singers and friends, that we have the opportunity to prove ourselves on a national stage.
Soon, we’ll be able to give you more information about how you can be involved in this project – and it’s a big one! – but today, we want to say thank you to you, our Seattle Pro Musica community. We am so grateful for these past years together, and look forward to many more!
