Rose City Folk Chorus
Portland's *Folking* Joyous Group of Harmony Singers
Join us! Fall 2019 Season rehearsals begin September 16, 2019. Read below for details...
Join us! Fall 2019 Season rehearsals begin September 16, 2019. Read below for details...
In a world that is increasingly isolating and technology-focused, there is deep power, rebellion, and beauty in the simplicity of standing with a group of other humans and feeling your voices rise and ring together. 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... Only relatively recently has our culture created the false narrative of "talent" and told the lie to so many of us that we just aren't "singers." That we aren't "good enough." It is silencing and damaging. We can all sing. Come experience the beauty born in the joy of using our voices and creating harmonies together!
Fall 2019 Season Details:
- Instructor/Director: Leela Grace
- Rehearsals: Mondays 7:00-8:45pm for 10 weeks from September 16 to November 18 plus Saturday, November 16 (time TBA but likely in the afternoon).
- Continuation After Performance: There will be three more Monday meetings after the performance: December 2, December 9, and December 16.
- Content and Details: We will be performing a beautiful collection of songs from the roots and branches of the American music tradition. This season will feature songs from the women of folk and Americana (such as Nanci Griffith, Brandi Carlile, The Wailin' Jennys, Hazel Dickens, Cindy Kallet, and more!). Some are songs that director/instructor, Leela Grace, has taught informally in her By-Ear Harmony Singing classes over the last 15 years. Some songs will be newly arranged and we will work to hone them all beautifully for our concert! There will also be 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). During the season (and especially after our performance), in addition to rehearsal, we will have "in-session" learning. We will experiment with larger and smaller group singing, strengthen our voices and ears, learn more about harmonies and how they work, and have a darn good time together while we're at it!
- Requirements/Pre-requisites: All singers who have taken one or more of Leela Grace's By Ear Harmony Singing classes, have previously sung with the Chorus or ResistSing, (or by permission of the Director) 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, please get in touch to find out if you are able to join! In any case, It is strongly requested that you commit to attending at least 7 rehearsals in order to be part of the season (barring unforeseen circumstances/illness). Check with Leela if that isn't possible but you still want to join -- we can probably work something out if you are willing to do extra practice at home! We need your voice! Note: At least 12 singers must be registered in order for the season to move forward.
- Cost: New this season, there are five tiers, designed with the hope that each singer who wants to join will find an accessible option. Please get in touch if none of these work for you but you still want to join. The fee can be paid in full up front (at a slight discount) or can be charged monthly in four installments (September, October, November, and December):
- Pay It Forward: $400 or $105/month (for four months). Thank you for your generosity! If you choose this tier, you will be making it possible for one more singer to join at the Scholarship or the Struggling Artist/Low/No-income level.
- Full Price: $300 or $80/month (for four months).
- Scholarship: $200 or $53/month (for four months). Choose this option if you want to join but can't afford the full price or are also signing up for another class at Rose City Folk School
- Family (for two singers from the same household/family): $350 or $90/month (for four months). Choose this option if you are registering for two members of the same household/family and need a bit of a financial break to make this possible!
- Struggling Artist/Low-/No-Income: $110 or $30/month (for four months). This tier is only available by permission and there are limited slots available. Please email [email protected] to find out if a slot is still available or to be put on the waiting list. No explanation is necessary -- we need your voice and don't want finances to be a barrier! As more generous singers choose the "Pay It Forward" tier, more slots will become available.
