One Voice Mixed Chorus
Encyclopedia
One Voice Mixed Chorus (OVMC) is a GLBTA choral
organization in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
Founded in 1988, the chorus is composed of over 80 singing members ages 16–70 and its Fifth Section boasts over 40 non-singing volunteers.
One Voice is the largest GLBTA mixed chorus
in North America
.
The mission 'Building community and creating social change by raising our voices in song' has united gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and straight allies in working for social change across the Twin Cities and outstate Minnesota
.
fundraiser, Spring Fever, is held in April.
One Voice is known for its commitment to musical excellence, diverse repertoire, creative programming, community collaborations, and fabulous choreography! Their concert themes have included messages about GLBT life experiences, humor within our community, safe sex
, AIDS
, breast cancer
awareness, queer reflections on history, the many dimensions of families, freedom songs from oppressed communities of the world, and music by typically under-represented composers (especially women and LesBiGayTrans artists).
In addition to the chorus there is an ensemble, OVation, that is a subset of the One Voice singers who perform regularly in the community and at One Voice's major concerts. Of particular importance is the outreach to schools and youth.
An expanded list can be found on their web site.
In addition there are a number of volunteer opportunities available to non-singing members. These members comprise what is called the Fifth Section and are vital to the One Voice community.
. It is funded through dues from singing members, donations from individuals and corporations as well as grants.
Jane Ramseyer Miller is the Artistic Director
One Voice Mixed Chorus operates under the direction of a board of directors and a number of committees to carry out the mission. Committees include Marketing, Major Gifts, Personnel, Fundraising Events, Production, Membership and Diversity, Finance and Music Selection.
Staff positions include the Artistic Director, Accompanist, Operations Manager, Development and Public Relations Manager, and the OVation Ensemble Coach.
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
organization in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
Founded in 1988, the chorus is composed of over 80 singing members ages 16–70 and its Fifth Section boasts over 40 non-singing volunteers.
One Voice is the largest GLBTA mixed chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
The mission 'Building community and creating social change by raising our voices in song' has united gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and straight allies in working for social change across the Twin Cities and outstate Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
History
One Voice Mixed Chorus gave its debut concert in 1989, making it one of the first choruses to bring together people from the GLBTA communities in the region.Performances and Music
The One Voice Mixed Chorus concert season includes a fall outreach tour (often in greater Minnesota), two major concerts held in January and June of each year and a series of spring concerts in Twin Cities middle and high-schools. The annualfundraiser, Spring Fever, is held in April.
One Voice is known for its commitment to musical excellence, diverse repertoire, creative programming, community collaborations, and fabulous choreography! Their concert themes have included messages about GLBT life experiences, humor within our community, safe sex
Safe sex
Safe sex is sexual activity engaged in by people who have taken precautions to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS. It is also referred to as safer sex or protected sex, while unsafe or unprotected sex is sexual activity engaged in without precautions...
, AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
awareness, queer reflections on history, the many dimensions of families, freedom songs from oppressed communities of the world, and music by typically under-represented composers (especially women and LesBiGayTrans artists).
In addition to the chorus there is an ensemble, OVation, that is a subset of the One Voice singers who perform regularly in the community and at One Voice's major concerts. Of particular importance is the outreach to schools and youth.
Performance History
Recent appearances include:- Boom, Bang, Crash, June 10–11, 2011 at Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
- Love Dares Speak Its Name, January 14–15, 2011 at Central Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Different is Great- A family Concert, June 4–5, 2010 at Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
- Unsilenced, GLBT and Jewish Voices of the Holocaust, January 30–31, 2010
- Lavender Green: Thinking Globally, Singing Locally, June 13–14, 2009
- Many Lives, One Song: Hope for a World Beyond AIDS, December 5–6, 2008
- GALA Festival VIII in Miami, Florida, Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, July 12–19, 2008
- Old New Borrowed Q: Celebrating 20 years, June 21–22, 2008 Saint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
- Uncommon Light: Brahms and the Beauty of Shadow, January 25–26, 2008 Saint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
- Outreach Tour to Iowa (Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Falls) November 9–11, 2007
- Generations Rock Concert, June 16 & 17, 2007 at the American History Theater Saint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
- Reclaiming Faith, In The Spirit Of Justice, January 20–21, 27-28, 2007
- Outreach Tour, Northern MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
and WinnipegWinnipegWinnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, November 10–13, 2006
An expanded list can be found on their web site.
Membership
Membership is by audition. Auditions are held twice each year and are open to anyone interested in singing with One Voice Mixed Chorus.In addition there are a number of volunteer opportunities available to non-singing members. These members comprise what is called the Fifth Section and are vital to the One Voice community.
Organization
One Voice Mixed Chorus is a 501(c)3 non-profit organizationNon-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
. It is funded through dues from singing members, donations from individuals and corporations as well as grants.
Jane Ramseyer Miller is the Artistic Director
- Jane is currently the Artistic Director-in-Residence for GALA Choruses
- Yelton Rhodes Music bio
- American Composers Forum bio
One Voice Mixed Chorus operates under the direction of a board of directors and a number of committees to carry out the mission. Committees include Marketing, Major Gifts, Personnel, Fundraising Events, Production, Membership and Diversity, Finance and Music Selection.
Staff positions include the Artistic Director, Accompanist, Operations Manager, Development and Public Relations Manager, and the OVation Ensemble Coach.
Associations
- Member of The Gay and Lesbian Association of ChorusesGALA ChorusesThe Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses is an international association of LGBT choruses founded in 1982. Its goal is to foster artistic and organizational development within its member choruses. The association includes almost 10,000 vocalists in over 100 associated choruses singing as...
(GALA). - Member of the Queer Music Consortium (QMC).
External links
- One Voice Mixed Chorus Official website
- GALA Choruses Official website