PRIDE GUIDE 1998 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Feminist choir celebrates 15th anniversary concert

by Bonnie Donofrio Cincinnati-The lyrics "Oh, there's something about the women, something about the women in my life" sing to the wonder and magic of Muse. This strong women's choral community, under the artistic direction of Dr. Catherine Roma, celebrates her rich herstory of 15 years by presenting an exciting, extra special spring concert program that is quintessential Muse.

Having just completed almost 30 hours of recording sessions during May to create their second CD, We Sing to the Universe Who We Are, Muse is sounding better than ever and will be ready for a live audience. The concert will also be recorded with the intention of including a few live cuts on the CD.

In many ways, the concert will be the best of the best from over the years, with the performance of many pieces from the CD recording sessions.

Muse always presents new repertoire, which this time includes a beautiful late impressionistic piece by Lili Boulanger (1893-1918) called "Les Sirenes." Boulanger won the Prix de Rome in 1911 and was the first woman composer to win the coveted prize. The piece was written for piano, women's chorus and solo vocalist.

HIV+ chorus is close to perfection on second CD

Until It's Over

Music of Hope for

Everyone Living with HIV/AIDS Positive Voices

Sources of Hope Publishing

Reviewed by Jeffrey L. Newman

The sophomore release by this chorus of HIV-positive singers is one of the most sensational chorus albums in recent years. With incredible voices and a rounded song selection, Until It's Over is an inspiring, uplifting and moving collection of songs about hope and life.

Positive Voices was founded by Jackson

The people of Positive Voices.

Myars in 1994 as part of the music ministry of Cathedral of Hope MCC in Dallas.

Their new album is as close to perfection as a chorus album gets. The harmony ignites from the first note on "Stand" and you can hear the passion and energy from song to song.

Backed by piano, synthesizer, guitar, French horn and trombone, the nearly two dozen voices soar, especially on tracks such as "It's Time," "I Know A Love," "Greater Than AIDS" and "So Great a Cloud of Witness." The final cut, “Celebrate" from "Elegies For Angels, Punks and Queens," is inspiring.

Until It's Over can be ordered from the folks at Sources of Hope at 800-501-4673, or visit their upbeat web site at www.cohmcc.org.

The audience will also hear "A Small but Fateful Victory" by Roger Bourland for the first time, a humorous song which captures the plight of a young woman in a family of boys who resists doing the dishes and wins recognition for it.

Also new is a sassy arrangement of “Miss Celie's Blues," (from The Color Purple) by Quincy Jones, complete with a guest trumpeter.

The occasion will be commemorated by the inclusion of a set by a 140-voice festival chorus composed of former singers who have all been invited back to the stage. There will also be a retrospective video, a slide-show acknowledging supporters from over the years, and a Ziggy Marley reggae tune with steel

drum accompaniment, "Give a Little Love," performed by the Muse children in the 12th spring concert appearance.

A new harmonizing quartet of Muse women will give their spring concert debut as Close Quarters. The beloved African-American a cappella sextet Sisterfriends will add their special touch to what is certain to be an exhilarating and touching celebration. ♡

"There's Something About the Women" will be performed at 8 pm May 29 and May 30 at Northern Kentucky University Greaves Hall on Nunn Dr. in Highland Heights, Kentucky. For more information, call 513221-1118.

The voices of Muse include (clockwise from bottom) Terry Robertson, Jen Conley, Jeanie Hua, Paula Fletcher, Deb Meem and Charis Kabat.

THE

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1643 Lee Rd. #9 Cleveland His.. CH 44118

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