Who We Are
Live performance is something you can never replace—the figure eight of energy that goes between audiences and performers is something we need in our lives.
- Meredith Monk
|
Resonance aspires to build and to nourish a community of women who share an artistic vision, an experience of human connection, and a desire to express both through song. Our music and our community are energized by our joy in singing together and by our commitment to the shared project and to each other. Resonance has deep roots and presence in the LGBT choral community and women’s music community. Many of the women in the chorus identify as lesbian or queer; we welcome individuals identifying as trans or non-binary who can sing in the treble range and who would find this community simpatico and supportive. We are a “message chorus,” expressing liberal and feminist values. We aim to offer soul nourishment, beauty, and the healing energy of musical community.
Resonance is a gently auditioned chorus open to all singers who can match pitch, blend with others, and make a strong commitment to rehearsal and performance schedules. By working together with individual integrity and deep mutual respect, we resolve the paradox of how to embrace singers of widely varying musical backgrounds while challenging everyone to achieve the highest standards of musical excellence — how to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. We achieve this by combining clearly stated expectations for impeccable presence with rehearsal processes that respect the different musical backgrounds, learning processes, and experiences of each singer. The communal task of learning and memorizing music stretches us, sometimes wearies us, and ultimately delights us through the thrill of performing and the emotional response of our audience. As one singer writes, “We are rewarded for choosing to be present, for choosing ‘doing’ over ‘watching.’ In learning to trust each other and our director, we are reminded that growth comes only through taking risks.” In creating art by combining our voices, we enjoy a second paradox: every member of the chorus is essential, yet no individual is indispensable. One singer writes, “I am one voice among many, as insignificant and as crucial as everyone else.” We are empowered in our individuality, but each individual has made a conscious choice to become part of this project. Integrity of the process gives rise to coherence in the product. Resonance began in 2002 and is led by founding Artistic Director Sue Coffee with Accompanist Caitlin Strickland. Founding Organizing Maven Teri Charles and singer Sue Schauffler worked with Sue Coffee to craft the original vision of the chorus and to bring it into existence. Our second Organizing Maven, Janis Bohan worked with Resonance through November 2020. Janis died in December, 2021. We loved her dearly. |