ENSEMBLES
ENCORE!
ENCORE! is the small ensemble that is a significant component of the Turtle Creek Chorale. ENCORE! has a mission, which is identical to that of the full chorale: To Educate, Entertain, Unite and Uplift.Touching hearts and changing lives in an uplifting way is certainly what ENCORE! does and they do it all over Dallas and even beyond the metroplex.
Members of ENCORE! put in a great deal of time in order to be a part of this ensemble. They rehearse an additional two hours per week. Plus, the members must memorize their music much more quickly than the full chorus rehearsal cycle. This is chiefly due to the fact ENCORE! often adds choreography of some sort to the production. There is a great deal of individual responsibility for each member of ENCORE! and dedication shows in how delighted audiences have become by their performances.
Chamber Chorus
In most situations, the moniker of "chamber" indicates something quite small. It might be anything from a quartet to as many as sixteen players or singers. However, in the Turtle Creek Chorale, size is relative. Blessed with somewhere around two hundred men actively singing in the Chorale, even sixteen would be a tiny representation.The small group "ENCORE," already existed. This group of sixteen singers was featured in January of 2007. Other groups also existed in the same range of around sixteen singers. So, it was something different the Chorale sought, something that had the rich, full sound of the big chorus, but didn't have two hundred singers to move around.
Another important aspect of forming Chamber was that it was also to be a group that was willing to learn extra music in addition to the TCC repertoire. Unquestionably, more often than not, music performed by Chamber is more difficult than that performed by the full chorus, and often in a foreign language.
The first recording Chamber Chorus was featured on was REQUIEM. And they were spectacular. They have been featured in concerts and on recordings ever since - some thirteen years. The last recording Chamber is featured on, SERENADE. Numerous tracks prominently feature Chamber Chorus singing in a variety of languages, including French, German and Czech. As a group, Chamber is most often used to amplify what the full chorus does. However, at GALA in Montreal, they actually got their own concert slot - a real thrill to the singers to be the "stars" not just one of the "stars!"
The singers who make up Chamber Chorus are completely dedicated to their art. They work very hard to master their craft - rehearsing countless hours in addition to full chorus rehearsals. They all feel their time and energy is well worth the effort. And the Chorale is much richer for having this kind of dedication from this fantastic group of men.
New Texas Symphony Orchestra (NTSO)
The NTSO is an all-volunteer performing arts group and is the first OUT gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, transgender (GLSBT) symphony in the southwest! We were formed to give performers and audiences alike a new opportunity to enjoy playing and hearing some of the world’s best classical music in a safe and inviting atmosphere for people from all walks of life. We are proud to be associated with the world class Turtle Creek Chorale and are committed to their ideals of building bridges through music.
The mission of The New Texas Symphony Orchestra is to provide quality musical entertainment, to increase visibility of the musical talents of its members within the gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, and transgender (GLSBT) communities, and to unite diverse audiences and participants by building bridges to a greater awareness of shared humanity.
Dallas PUMP!
The mission of Dallas PUMP! is to provide GLBTQ youth and their allies a safe haven to freely express themselves through music, dance and theater.
The chorus' name, PUMP, is an acronym for Pride, Unity, Music and Power. According to nineteen-year-old president David Negrete, "We chose our name based on what is important to us.
Pride is to encourage satisfaction with self.
Unity is to grow together as one.
Music is to produce sounds that have a real effect.
Power is to do and be something meaningful."
The tagline, co-created by founding youth members David Negrete, Scott Moriarty, Chelsey Schriner and Mari Plank is, "Singing Today for A Better Tomorrow."
Dr. Jonathan Palant conducts the youth chorus and is the artistic director of the Turtle Creek Chorale. "Today's youth deserve our attention and guidance. If, in my role with the TCC and as a Youth First Texas board member I can make a difference in tomorrow's leaders, then let Dallas PUMP! be the way," says Palant. Will Varner serves on staff as the principal accompanist.
Dallas PUMP! rehearses every Wednesday evening 6:30-7:30 at Youth First Texas 5415 Maple Avenue Suite 225.
