Register at http://www.trybooking.com/IEJK to join the chorus this summer in the California premiere performances of STREET REQUIEM, benefiting Singers of the Street (SOS) - a program that enables homeless and marginally housed San Franciscans to express themselves and improve their quality of life by singing in a choir.
In light of recent race-related violence in the US, STREET REQUIEM provides an important way for singers from all over the Bay Area to express through music our hurt and anger as well as our desire and longing for peace and safety. It should also speak strongly to the LGBTIQ community, considering the tragic deaths we see on our streets each year as a result of hate crime. Our performances will raise public awareness as well as funds to support those living on the margins in San Francisco.
About STREET REQUIEM
Composed in 2014 by Dr Kathleen McGuire (former Bay Area conductor of San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, Community Women's Orchestra and more) with Australian collaborators Jonathon Welch AM and Andy Payne, STREET REQUIEM is a 40-minute, 10-movement cantata for soloists, chorus and orchestra. It is highly accessible, uplifting, multicultural, multi-faith and secular, mourning those who have died innocent on the street as result of poverty, war, illness, violence, hate crime or homelessness.
Performances
Saturday Aug 29, 2015 (evening), Old First Presbyterian Church, San Francisco
Sunday Aug 30, 2015 (afternoon), Congregational Church of San Mateo
Featuring: world-renowned opera superstar FREDERICA VON STADE, members of the Community Women's Orchestra, pianist Carl Pantle, conducted by Kathleen McGuire.
Listen
STREET REQUIEM's world premiere is available on Spotify or download from iTunes.
Performance reviews (Dallas, TX):
SlippedDisc.com - An American Heroine Sings Out For The Homeless
Cost
Participation for singers is free, except for the purchase of the sheet music (PDF) and rehearsal tracks ($20 US for individual singers, or $12 per singer for groups of 10 or more). Participants will also have access to a free "app" to keep up-to-date with rehearsal details etc.100% of participants' funds will benefit the School of Hard Knocks, providing services to hundreds of disadvantaged Australians participating in arts programs in multiple cities.
NOTE: your total will appear in AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS (0.75 USD)
Beneficiary:
All proceeds from ticket sales to the California performances will benefit Singers of the Street (SOS). Founded by Kathleen McGuire in 2010 and now led by Ashley Moore, SOS is a San Francisco choir of singers at risk of homelessness. SOS, dedicated to raising voices for justice, healing and joy, will celebrate its 5th anniversary just a week after the concerts. SOS is a project of Welcome - a communal response to poverty.
SCHEDULE
All rehearsals from Aug 23 are essential. For most community chorus singers, 5 - 6 rehearsals is recommended. If you are a confident music reader, you may be comfortable with fewer rehearsals (but your presence at rehearsals will of course help others!).
Saturday July 11, 10AM-4PM
Workshop with Dr Jonathan Palant at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, San Francisco. Potluck lunch.
Dr Palant - former AD of Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas TX - conducted the US premiere of STREET REQUIEM last January and is flying out specially to kick off our California rehearsals!
Saturday morning rehearsals starting July 18, 10AM-12PM at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, SF
Wednesday evening rehearsals in San Mateo starting July 15, led by Carl Pantle and Stephanie Smith.
(Aug 22: Dr Kathleen McGuire arrives in SF and will lead subsequent rehearsals and performances)
Sunday Aug 23 - rehearsal with orchestra in the afternoon (location TBA)
Wednesday Aug 26 - Congregational Church of San Mateo - chorus rehearsal & potluck (TBC)
Thursday Aug 27 (evening) - Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, Oakland, chorus & orchestra rehearsal
Saturday Aug 29 - Old First Presbyterian Church, SF (afternoon rehearsal, evening concert)
Sunday Aug 30 - Congregational Church of San Mateo, afternoon concert
Thank you for registering to be part of this important event to raise awareness while supporting Singers of the Street. Street Requiem chorus participants do not need to attend all of the rehearsals, but attending 5 - 6 is recommended. Attendance from Aug 23 onward is important.
After you register, you will receive links for downloading music and rehearsal tracks, plus access to a free app with the full schedule and reminders to keep us all connected!
Contact:
Dr Kathleen McGuire (Street Requiem conductor and composer) kathleen.mcguire@schoolofhardknocks.org.au
