CHARIS Seeks Coming Out Stories
CHARIS – The St. Louis Women's Chorus is busy rehearsing for its upcoming concert, "CHARIS Comes Out, " to be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, 2009 at the Missouri History Museum. The concert is a musical portrayal of the coming out process. In preparation for the event, the chorus is sponsoring an essay contest inviting personal stories around which to design the concert.
"The coming out process is a difficult one, and can be especially so for adolescents and young adults, " said CHARIS Artistic Director Kourtney R. Strade. In light of this, CHARIS is working with Growing American Youth on the concert. Members of Growing American Youth will be sharing their coming out stories through essays and performing with the chorus.
Essays considered for the contest should be 1500 words or less, and be original, unpublished material. Submissions must be received by March 6, 2009 to qualify. Essays may be emailed to: charisessaycontest@gmail.com. Please include a phone number with your submission. Entries chosen will be read onstage as part of the concert, either by the writer, or if preferred, by a chorus member. The contest is open to all ages, and young people with coming out stories are especially encouraged to enter.
"The coming out theme is a natural choice for CHARIS as the chorus is entering its 16th season. Sixteen is the traditional age for young women to have 'coming out' parties and make their debut into society, " said longtime CHARIS member Sharon Spurlock. "We're 16, and although we certainly won't be wearing ball gowns and elbow-length gloves at the concert, we will be reintroducing ourselves to the St. Louis community, " Spurlock added, noting that the "Coming Out " concert will be the chorus' debut under new Artistic Director Kourtney R. Strade.
The concert will feature a wide variety of musical styles with some songs specially written for gay and lesbian choruses that embody different aspects of the coming out experience. Selections on the concert program include, "Natural Woman, " "One Fine Day, " "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, " and "If You Were Gay, " from the musical Avenue Q. "There will be something that resonates with everyone who attends this concert. We'll all recognize the painful, frightening, empowering, and even humorous parts of our own coming out experiences, " said Strade.
Tickets for the concert are available from chorus members, on the CHARIS website, www.charischorus.org , or by calling (314) 664-9340.
CHARIS – The St. Louis Women's Chorus is busy rehearsing for its upcoming concert, "CHARIS Comes Out, " to be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2, 2009 at the Missouri History Museum. The concert is a musical portrayal of the coming out process. In preparation for the event, the chorus is sponsoring an essay contest inviting personal stories around which to design the concert.
"The coming out process is a difficult one, and can be especially so for adolescents and young adults, " said CHARIS Artistic Director Kourtney R. Strade. In light of this, CHARIS is working with Growing American Youth on the concert. Members of Growing American Youth will be sharing their coming out stories through essays and performing with the chorus.
Essays considered for the contest should be 1500 words or less, and be original, unpublished material. Submissions must be received by March 6, 2009 to qualify. Essays may be emailed to: charisessaycontest@gmail.com. Please include a phone number with your submission. Entries chosen will be read onstage as part of the concert, either by the writer, or if preferred, by a chorus member. The contest is open to all ages, and young people with coming out stories are especially encouraged to enter.
"The coming out theme is a natural choice for CHARIS as the chorus is entering its 16th season. Sixteen is the traditional age for young women to have 'coming out' parties and make their debut into society, " said longtime CHARIS member Sharon Spurlock. "We're 16, and although we certainly won't be wearing ball gowns and elbow-length gloves at the concert, we will be reintroducing ourselves to the St. Louis community, " Spurlock added, noting that the "Coming Out " concert will be the chorus' debut under new Artistic Director Kourtney R. Strade.
The concert will feature a wide variety of musical styles with some songs specially written for gay and lesbian choruses that embody different aspects of the coming out experience. Selections on the concert program include, "Natural Woman, " "One Fine Day, " "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, " and "If You Were Gay, " from the musical Avenue Q. "There will be something that resonates with everyone who attends this concert. We'll all recognize the painful, frightening, empowering, and even humorous parts of our own coming out experiences, " said Strade.
Tickets for the concert are available from chorus members, on the CHARIS website, www.charischorus.org , or by calling (314) 664-9340.
CHARIS is a non-auditioned chorus open to all who identify as women, regardless of singing experience. For information on becoming a member or to volunteer with the chorus, please call (314) 664-9340.
Sharon Spurlock
CHARIS - The St. Louis Women's Chorus
www.charischorus.org
"Coming Out "
May 1st & 2nd, 2009
Des Lee Auditorium at
Missouri History Museum
Sharon Spurlock
CHARIS - The St. Louis Women's Chorus
www.charischorus.org
"Coming Out "
May 1st & 2nd, 2009
Des Lee Auditorium at
Missouri History Museum
