Minnesota Chorale Presents Bridges: Join the Dance!

Breaking News - This just in! Would you like a discount on your tickets? Here's how: Go to https://mnchorale.secure.force.com/ticket Choose the date you wish to attend. Once the next window opens up, enter the number of tickets you want at the adult rate (full price). The next window that appears has a field for discount codes; enter the word singer. This will reduce the adult price from $20 (+$2 handling) to $15 per ticket. Join the Dance!, this year's Bridges program, focuses on Minnesotans with physical disabilities. Clients of the Courage Center--Minnesota's largest provider of rehabilitation services to people with disabilities--will be paired with Chorale singers in the creation and performance of choreographed works, set to music sung by the Chorale. Under the direction of Chorale artistic director Kathy Saltzman Romey, these sure-to-be memorable performances will feature the premiere of a new work by composer Mary Ellen Childs, commissioned for this program. Dancers from the Dance Exchange of Takoma Park, Md., will lead singers and dancers in the creation of these works, using the Dance Exchange’s nationally acclaimed methods in developing community-based art. Founded in 1976 by choreographer Liz Lerman, the Dance Exchange has extended the frontiers of dance, specializing in community residencies that explore significant social and personal issues through dance. About the Bridges Program The Chorale's Bridges series, begun in 1994 to build musical and social bridges to diverse populations, has been acclaimed as a national model for choral outreach programs. Bridges is a series of musical initiatives that harness the richness and diversity of the global choral repertoire to engage cultural communities and raise awareness of pressing social needs. Each year, the Chorale identifies key program collaborators, whether a community, an organization, an artist, or some combination of these. It then identifies appropriate occasions and venues, locates or commissions suitable repertoire, and tailors a range of outreach, education, and performance activities to accomplish the goals of the program. The cumulative results of more than a decade of Bridges programs include a widening of the audience for choral music in the Twin Cities and a web of organizational and individual connections centered on music but reaching far beyond it. Two public performances are scheduled: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Music Room, SPCO Center Hamm Building, Third Floor 408 St. Peter Street St. Paul, MN 55102 Sunday, Nov. 20 at 4:00 p.m. St. Richard's Catholic Church 7540 Penn Ave. S. Richfield, MN 55423 Tickets are $20 ($15 for seniors, students, and VSA) and may be purchased online or by calling the Chorale at 612.455.2100. This will be a lovely program - the music is just great - Mary Ellen Child's piece is delightful, and we'll be singing a wonderful piece by Jocelyn Hagen called "On My Dreams" that your director hopes to program for Vocal Ensemble in the not too distant future. Other pieces include Bob Chilcott's arrangement of U2's MLK and Frank Ticheli's Earth Song. I really encourage as many of you to come as possible - it will be a really wonderful experience.