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| One Voice Mixed Chorus | |
|---|---|
| Name | One Voice Mixed Chorus |
| Origin | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Genre | Choral music, LGBTQ choral repertoire |
| Years active | 1986–present |
One Voice Mixed Chorus is a Seattle-based choral ensemble founded in 1986 that serves lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied communities. The ensemble performs a broad repertoire including contemporary choral works, folk arrangements, and commissioned pieces, and it has participated in national and international festivals and community events.
The ensemble was established during the 1980s amid the cultural context of the AIDS epidemic, the rise of LGBTQ activism exemplified by organizations such as ACT UP and the Human Rights Campaign, and the growing choral movement represented by groups like San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., and Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus. Early years included collaborations with local institutions such as Town Hall Seattle, Benaroya Hall, and community centers affiliated with Pride Seattle and regional arts councils. Over decades the chorus navigated cultural shifts including legal milestones such as United States v. Windsor, the passage of Defense of Marriage Act challenges, and the nationwide momentum culminating in Obergefell v. Hodges, while interacting with arts funding trends exemplified by the National Endowment for the Arts and state arts commissions.
The chorus articulates a mission rooted in artistic excellence and social inclusion, aligning with advocacy efforts similar to those of GLAAD, Lambda Legal, and The Trevor Project. Repertoire spans works by composers like Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, Randy Newman, Toshi Reagon, and Jake Runestad, and includes arrangements of songs by performers such as Aretha Franklin, Annie Lennox, Prince, Suzanne Vega, and Nina Simone. The ensemble commissions new music from composers associated with contemporary choral scenes, including connections to festivals like the National Collegiate Choral Organization and the American Choral Directors Association conferences.
Structured as a nonprofit corporation, the chorus has been governed by a board of directors with advisory relationships to organizations like Seattle Arts & Lectures, Intiman Theatre, and Seattle Opera. Artistic leadership has included conductors and artistic directors who engaged with regional conservatories such as the University of Washington School of Music and national arts networks including Chorus America and National Coalition of LGBT Health Centers. Administrative collaborations extend to grantmaking bodies like the King County Arts Commission and philanthropic foundations exemplified by the Seattle Foundation.
The ensemble presents annual seasonal concerts in venues such as Benaroya Hall, Meany Hall, and community stages associated with Seattle Center. Touring and festival appearances have placed the chorus in regional and international contexts alongside ensembles like Vancouver Men's Chorus, Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus, and international choruses attending events such as the GALA Choruses festivals. Performances have intersected with public commemorations like Seattle Pride Parade and civic observances in partnership with cultural institutions including Seattle Center Festál.
Educational initiatives include outreach to schools in districts like the Seattle Public Schools system, partnerships with youth organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America chapters, and collaborative programming with health organizations including Public Health — Seattle & King County. Community projects mirror alliances with social service providers like Pioneer Human Services and advocacy groups modeled on Stonewall National Museum & Archives. Workshops and masterclasses have been offered in collaboration with music departments at institutions such as Seattle Pacific University, Cornish College of the Arts, and University of Washington ensembles.
The chorus has released recordings and media projects reflecting choral trends similar to releases by The King’s Singers and contemporary choral labels associated with distributors like Naxos and Decca Records. Media exposure has included features on regional public radio outlets like KUOW-FM and collaborations with local television producers connected to KING-TV and KCTS-TV. Digital presence aligns with streaming platforms and archival efforts common to ensembles engaging with organizations such as Smithsonian Folkways and university archives.
Recognition has come through local arts awards akin to honors from the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, peer recognition via Chorus America program listings, and community honors similar to acknowledgments by Seattle Magazine and civic proclamations from the Mayor of Seattle. The chorus’s commissioning and outreach work have been noted in grant awards from entities comparable to the National Endowment for the Arts and regional funders like the Washington State Arts Commission.
Category:Choirs from Seattle