CHICAGOâ"€With the launch of its 40th anniversary, Artemis Singers, www.artemissingers.org, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will hold a new member night Thursday, January 9, 2020. Artemis Singers is a non-audition chorus open to all women singers, regardless of experience level or music reading ability. Each singer should be able to hold a melody and be excited to sing with a lesbian feminist chorus that performs music written or arranged by women.
Did you love singing in your school chorus and wish you once again had a chance to sing with a group? Do you want to find out how to produce a women's choral music concert?
"As Artemis Singers enters its fifth decade, we are committed to better representing the lesbian feminist community across cultures, colors and ages," said Diana Clegg, president of the nonprofit chorus.
"The beauty of this ever-evolving chorus is that all voices matter. Each member takes part in choosing what and where Artemis sings, as we create powerful performances together."
Artemis Singers rehearses Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the northwest side of Chicago. The location is accessible by CTA subway, bus or car. Ample free parking is available on-site. Email info@artemissingers.org or call ( 773 ) 764-4465 for details and location of the January 9 rehearsal.
"Prospective new members are invited to visit and sit in on two rehearsals at the start of the new season," said Clegg. "After the second rehearsal, each new singer will meet with a director to do a pitch matching exercise that will help place her in the appropriate part section. She will need to be able to match pitch and sing notes that fit within at least one of the part-ranges that our music is written for—Soprano 1 to Alto 2."
Participation donations for singers are $20 per month or $200 per year; financial waivers are available, if needed.
Clegg noted that Artemis Singers also welcomes non-singing members who want to contribute other skills to the chorus, such as fundraising, promotion, concert production and graphic arts. Participation donations for non-singers are $5.00 per month or $50.00 per year; financial waivers are available, if needed.
Founded in 1980, Artemis Singers has been a mainstay in lesbian feminist cultural life. The chorus takes its name from the Greek goddess Artemis, who is a symbol of independence among lesbian feminists. The chorus was inducted into the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2008. Audiences have seen Artemis Singers at the Chicago History Museum, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park ( Gay Games ), at Women & Children First bookstore and at numerous universities.
Artemis Singers is comprised of women with diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to effecting positive change in cultural attitudes toward women and women artists. Performances highlight historical, political and personal events common to women.
Artemis Singers provides creative opportunities for women interested in all aspects of choral production: conducting, song writing and arranging, performance lighting, choreography, audio, artistic direction, stage management and vocal instruction.
Artemis Singers is on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
—From a press release
