One Voice Mixed Chorus

One Voice Mixed Chorus
Also known as	OVMC
Origin	Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States
Genres	classical, popular, choral, jazz
Occupations	GLBTA Choir
Instruments	80+ voices
Years active	1988-present
Website	www.ovmc.org
Members
Artistic Director Jane Ramseyer Miller Interim Conductor W. Bryce Hayes Acompanist Paul Kovacevich

Official One Voice Mixed Chorus logo

One Voice Mixed Chorus (OVMC) is a GLBTA choral organization in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

Founded in 1988, the chorus is composed of over 80 singing members ages 16–70 and its Fifth Section boasts over 40 non-singing volunteers. One Voice is the largest GLBTA mixed chorus in North America.

The mission 'Building community and creating social change by raising our voices in song' has united gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and straight allies in working for social change across the Twin Cities and outstate Minnesota.

History

One Voice Mixed Chorus gave its debut concert in 1989, making it one of the first choruses to bring together people from the GLBTA communities in the region.

Performances and Music

The One Voice Mixed Chorus concert season includes a fall outreach tour (often in greater Minnesota), two major concerts held in January and June of each year and a series of spring concerts in Twin Cities middle and high-schools. The annual fundraiser, Spring Fever, is held in April.

One Voice is known for its commitment to musical excellence, diverse repertoire, creative programming, community collaborations, and fabulous choreography! Their concert themes have included messages about GLBT life experiences, humor within our community, safe sex, AIDS, breast cancer awareness, queer reflections on history, the many dimensions of families, freedom songs from oppressed communities of the world, and music by typically under-represented composers (especially women and LesBiGayTrans artists).

In addition to the chorus there is an ensemble, OVation, that is a subset of the One Voice singers who perform regularly in the community and at One Voice's major concerts. Of particular importance is the outreach to schools and youth.

Performance History

Recent appearances include:

• Boom, Bang, Crash, June 10–11, 2011 at Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Love Dares Speak Its Name, January 14–15, 2011 at Central Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Different is Great- A family Concert, June 4–5, 2010 at Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Unsilenced, GLBT and Jewish Voices of the Holocaust, January 30–31, 2010
• Lavender Green: Thinking Globally, Singing Locally, June 13–14, 2009
• Many Lives, One Song: Hope for a World Beyond AIDS, December 5–6, 2008
• GALA Festival VIII in Miami, Florida, Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, July 12–19, 2008
• Old New Borrowed Q: Celebrating 20 years, June 21–22, 2008 Saint Paul, Minnesota
• Uncommon Light: Brahms and the Beauty of Shadow, January 25–26, 2008 Saint Paul, Minnesota
• Outreach Tour to Iowa (Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Falls) November 9–11, 2007
• Generations Rock Concert, June 16 & 17, 2007 at the American History Theater Saint Paul, Minnesota
• Reclaiming Faith, In The Spirit Of Justice, January 20–21, 27-28, 2007
• Outreach Tour, Northern Minnesota and Winnipeg Canada, November 10–13, 2006

An expanded list can be found on their web site.

Membership

Membership is by audition. Auditions are held twice each year and are open to anyone interested in singing with One Voice Mixed Chorus.

In addition there are a number of volunteer opportunities available to non-singing members. These members comprise what is called the Fifth Section and are vital to the One Voice community.

Organization

One Voice Mixed Chorus is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It is funded through dues from singing members, donations from individuals and corporations as well as grants.

Jane Ramseyer Miller is the Artistic Director

Jane is currently the Artistic Director-in-Residence for GALA Choruses

^[1] Yelton Rhodes Music bio

^[2] American Composers Forum bio

One Voice Mixed Chorus operates under the direction of a board of directors and a number of committees to carry out the mission. Committees include Marketing, Major Gifts, Personnel, Fundraising Events, Production, Membership and Diversity, Finance and Music Selection.

Staff positions include the Artistic Director, Accompanist, Operations Manager, Development and Public Relations Manager, and the OVation Ensemble Coach.

Recordings

• Old New Borrowed Q, 2008
• Building Bridges, 2005
• Songs of the Soul, 2000–2004

Associations

• Member of The Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA).
• Member of the Queer Music Consortium (QMC).

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]

External links

• One Voice Mixed Chorus Official website
• GALA Choruses Official website