Rose City Folk Chorus Spring 2024
Join us!! Read below for all the details...
Since the dawn of humanity, we have always sung in joy and in sadness; sung in community; sung in sacred times and in every day work... These have been a very challenging couple of years, but we must keep singing! Come experience the beauty born in the joy of using our voices and creating harmonies together -- even wearing masks! It is all part of caring for each other. I can't wait to share these beautiful songs with you and hear your voices rising together! Please read to the end for all FAQ and details about our IN PERSON season!
Since the dawn of humanity, we have always sung in joy and in sadness; sung in community; sung in sacred times and in every day work... These have been a very challenging couple of years, but we must keep singing! Come experience the beauty born in the joy of using our voices and creating harmonies together -- even wearing masks! It is all part of caring for each other. I can't wait to share these beautiful songs with you and hear your voices rising together! Please read to the end for all FAQ and details about our IN PERSON season!
Frequently Asked Questions about Rose City Folk Chorus:
Q: What sets THIS chorus apart from other choirs and choruses?
A: Three main things are unique about Rose City Folk Chorus (RCFC).
A: No! It is recommended that you have previously taken one or more of Leela’s By-Ear Harmony Singing classes or workshops or have some singing experience! Please get in touch with Leela if you’re not sure.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: In addition to the weekly 1.5-hour rehearsals on Sundays, most singers find that they need several additional hours of independent practice each week in order to learn and memorize the songs and parts! There will also be an extra long rehearsal the week or weekend prior to the performance as well as the performance itself!
Q: Why do I have to pay? What am I paying for?
A: We wish it could be free, but we are not a non-profit and have no other source of funding! Your registration fees go to:
A: It is difficult to guarantee or quantify, but you will likely find a lot of community, a deep sense of hope and uplift, a new understanding of harmony and music, a bunch of new friends, a great deal of fun, some new favorite songs, and a stronger voice and confidence in singing!
Q: Should I join Rose City Folk Chorus?
A: Also-folking-lutely! 😄
Q: What sets THIS chorus apart from other choirs and choruses?
A: Three main things are unique about Rose City Folk Chorus (RCFC).
- The way we learn the songs! All songs are learned entirely by ear, utilizing a call and response style of teaching. No written music is provided, but there is access to audio files to use in learning, practicing, and memorizing the songs. In addition, every singer learns ALL the parts (usually the melody and two harmony parts) and there are no prescribed "sections" such as alto and tenor. Instead, everyone chooses the part they want to sing on each song!
- The repertoire! Songs are generally selected from genres of music that fall under the Americana umbrella, including but not limited to folk, singer-songwriter, old time stringband, bluegrass, old country, folk-rock, and more! In previous seasons, we have covered traditional songs as well as songs from artists such as Bill Staines, Gillian Welch, The Wailin' Jennys, Nanci Griffith, "Grandpa" Jones, Tim O'Brien, Ellie Grace, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Hazel Dickens, Brandi Carlile, Emma's Revolution, Patty Griffin, and more!
- The harmony arrangements! Most songs are arranged in a three-part harmony style, much like you would hear in bluegrass or folk, with the melody in the middle and a "high" part and "low" part.
A: No! It is recommended that you have previously taken one or more of Leela’s By-Ear Harmony Singing classes or workshops or have some singing experience! Please get in touch with Leela if you’re not sure.
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: In addition to the weekly 1.5-hour rehearsals on Sundays, most singers find that they need several additional hours of independent practice each week in order to learn and memorize the songs and parts! There will also be an extra long rehearsal the week or weekend prior to the performance as well as the performance itself!
Q: Why do I have to pay? What am I paying for?
A: We wish it could be free, but we are not a non-profit and have no other source of funding! Your registration fees go to:
- Rehearsal space rental and other operating costs
- Compensation for songwriters/artists
- Rental of equipment and venue for performance
- Mostly: Compensation for Leela Grace’s expertise, direction and teaching, time spent selecting and arranging repertoire as well as recording and creating practice materials
A: It is difficult to guarantee or quantify, but you will likely find a lot of community, a deep sense of hope and uplift, a new understanding of harmony and music, a bunch of new friends, a great deal of fun, some new favorite songs, and a stronger voice and confidence in singing!
Q: Should I join Rose City Folk Chorus?
A: Also-folking-lutely! 😄
Winter '24 Season Details:
- Instructor/Director: Leela Grace
- COVID Information: Masks and vaccination required for initial rehearsals. We may go to masks optional as respiratory illness season wanes if everyone is comfortable. We will maintain this chorus as a space where immunocompromised and otherwise vulnerable community members can safely sing, which may mean continuing universal masking if needed. There will definitely be some outdoor, mask optional singing opportunities as the season progresses. Details HERE. The final performance may be without masks, depending on everyone's comfort level.
- Rehearsals: Sundays 3:00-4:30PM, March 3-May 12, 2024 at Mosaic String Academy, 5120 SE 28th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97202. The last two regular Sunday rehearsals will be 3:00-5:30pm. Note: We will have a Zoom portal set up for each rehearsal so anyone who has to miss a class/rehearsal can be there virtually or watch the recording later.
- Performance: Date, time, and place TBD but please set aside the weekend of May 18-19, 2024 as our final rehearsal and performance will take place on those days.
- Content and Details: We will be performing a beautiful collection of songs from the roots and branches of the American music tradition. Some are songs that director/instructor, Leela Grace, has taught informally in her By-Ear Harmony Singing classes over the last 20 years. Some songs will be newly arranged and we will work to hone them all beautifully for our concert! There will also be possible (optional) opportunities for more challenge (in the form of creating your own duo or trio harmonies for specific songs or stepping out to sing a solo).
- Requirements/Pre-requisites: All singers who have taken one or more of Leela Grace's By Ear Harmony Singing classes/workshops, have previously sung with the Chorus or ResistSing, or have some singing experience (and are willing to learn parts by ear) are welcome -- no audition necessary! All songs will be taught by ear (and you will receive audio files to aid in practice). If you have not taken one of Leela's By-Ear Harmony Singing classes before but have a bit of singing experience, feel free to get in touch if you have questions about joining! Anyone 15 or older is welcome. Youth ages 10-14 are welcome to join with a caregiver who is also registered for the chorus!
- Cost: There are five tiers, designed with the hope that each singer who wants to join will find an accessible option. No explanation is necessary if you choose one of the lower-cost options -- we need your voice and don't want finances to be a barrier! As more generous singers choose the "Pay It Forward" tier, more reduced-price slots will become available. Please get in touch if none of these work for you but you still want to join. We can also arrange installment payments if needed.
- Pay It Forward 125%: $470
- Full Price 100%: $375
- 80%: $300
- 60%: $225
- 40%: $150
- If you prefer to register by mail, please send an email with your name, email address, and preferred phone number and then mail a check to:
Rose City Folk School
11200 NE Oregon St.
Portland, OR 97220
