There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain.
- “In My Life” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Music has always played a big part in my life. It’s connected to memorable events both happy and sad.
The lyrics above are from one of my all-time favorite songs. I love it so much I have a poster of the lyrics framed and hanging in my bedroom above my bed and every time I read the words, “In my life I loved you more,” I think of my children.
I know it was written as a love song, but that is the beauty of music — it can speak to us on many levels.
Whether you are a Beatles fan, a lover of older standards or the classics, there are opportunities here in Thurston County to sing in or applaud musical concerts.
Auditions for the Capitol City Chorus (CCC) Spring 2025 season will be held Saturday, Jan. 4, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, located at 1515 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia. There are open spots for alto, tenor and bass in their mixed choir, and soprano or alto in their chorale.
Auditions take about five to 10 minutes, and they regularly audition singers of all skill levels and backgrounds. The auditions consist of a brief chat about musical background, a range check, an ear check, some sight reading, and then likely a familiar song (think “Happy Birthday” or “My Country ’Tis of Thee” or something along those lines).
According to their website, they don’t expect perfection, just an honest check of who you are and where you’re at musically. There’s nothing to prepare in advance. They have folks with multiple music degrees; along with folks who have never sung in a choir at all, so they aim to make auditions as authentic and approachable as possible.
The CCC is a nonprofit organization, which exists to encourage the art of choral singing while helping to serve people in the community.
“Centered around standard choral repertoire, we believe in improving the musicianship and abilities of our singers, as well as providing free concerts to the community,” the organization’s website states.
“We welcome all to our concerts, and we welcome all to audition and sing. We do not discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability.”
If you have more questions about membership fees or rehearsal dates, you can email them to director@cccolympia.org or visit their website at https://cccolympia.org/
This group is self-described as an inclusive, inter-generational community dedicated to using the power of song to create peace and promote social justice and environmental stewardship.
The Olympia Peace Choir began in 2010 when Kerri Lynn Nichols, who had envisioned an inclusive community choir, shared her idea with a few close friends. The original vision was to build a full choral program: an SATB (soparano, alto, tenor and base choir for all voice ranges, an auditioned small group (The Olympia Peace Singers), a treble choir and a children’s choir.
Along with artistic director Kerri Lynn Nichols, Becky Liebman and Debbie Koshelnik were among the first to help found the choir and get it up on its feet.
Their music is from diverse cultures and traditions and is dedicated to practicing the principles of equality, peace, respect and cooperation.
In September 2023, they launched Treble Voices for Peace (TVFP), an-all ages community chorus performing new and traditional music, by and for women, LGBTQIA2S+ folks and others who uphold our themes of peace, social justice and environmental stewardship.
All voices who sing in the treble range (soprano, alto and contralto) are invited to join.
The Olympia Peace Choir meets at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Monday nights from September through late May. TVFP meets on Thursday nights from September to May at First Christian Church.
Their choirs have performed to standing-room only audiences at the Capitol Rotunda, Arts Walk, Olympia Farmers Market and more.
In order to keep their choir at a manageable size for both their director and local venues, The Olympia Peace Choir does have a membership cap and explained that membership cannot be guaranteed. They encourage anyone who sings in the soprano, alto, or contralto range to consider becoming a member of their new treble choir, Treble Voices for Peace. For more information about this group go to https://theolympiapeacechoir.org/treble-voices-for-peace/
Masterworks Choral Ensemble (MCE) is an adult Southwest Washington chorus dedicated to performance, community service, music education and leadership in the arts. Their mission is to perform sacred and secular choral, orchestral and newly commissioned works, as well as to collaborate with other arts groups, participate in community service activities, and to provide a leadership in developing, sponsoring and broadening the vocal arts.
Concerts are typically performed at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, and you can click through their website for dates, times and additional information.
The next round of auditions will take place on Jan. 7 in the evening. They ask that you complete the audition form online and their new member coordinator will reach out to schedule a time.
Typically, MCE has four one-night performances in October, December, April and June. MCE also hosts the Northwest’s Regional Harmony Sweepstakes contest in March.
All events are held at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia. MCE concerts start at 7:30 pm.
Generally, rehearsals are from 7 p.m. to 9:30pm on Tuesdays at the First United Methodist Church of Olympia.
Members provide their own concert attire.
Members have an annual dues commitment. New members are provided with a discounted dues rate for their first season. Financial support is available if dues are a barrier to joining.
For more information you can contact them by email at lepsville@gmail.com or visit their website at https://mce.org/
So, there you have it. Something for every musical taste, whether you are a performer or part of the all-important audience.
Enjoy!
Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comments.
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EKershisnik
Thanks for amplifying all the great opportunities to raise your voice in our town! I've participated in CCC since its inception and OCS before that. There is nothing like working hard with a like minded group to create something beautiful for its own sake!
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