South Sound Youth Choirs
was founded in 2009 by Chris DeLeon and Megan Oberfield, who had the initial conversation after performing together at the Totem Junior High Jazz Night. With support from many friends, family members, colleagues and community members, SSYC began rehearsing in 2009. Pastor Jon Short offered us a home at Federal Way United Methodist Church and with two ensembles, led by Chris DeLeon and Megan Oberfield, respectively, SSYC was underway... |
Tacoma Singing Society
was founded in 2012 by Megan Oberfield to offer an opportunity for accomplished singers to sing classic choral literature from many cultures and eras in a social secular setting. in 2012 we began with madrigals, partsongs, and a variety of folksong arrangements and original compositions. Rehearsals were held in members' homes, and the inaugural concert was held at First Methodist Church. In 2013 rehearsals and the concert were moved to Epworth LeSourd United Methodist Church. The program, titled "Shakespeare, Psalms, and the Well-Traveled Tune" included settings of the 23rd Psalm, Schumann's Spanisches Liebeslieder, featuring Norm Seidel at the piano and Heather Urschel as soprano soloist, Hindemith's Six Chansons and Shakespeare settings by Matthias and Vaughn Williams. 2014 saw rehearsals moved to the Longley-Barnett home. Repertoire included pieces in Hungarian and Swedish, and several modern compositions. A highlight of the concert, held at Mason United Methodist Church, was a setting of the shapenote tune, The Reapers All With Their Sharp Sickles Appear by Seth Houston, and featuring Christie Smith as soloist. Our 2015 program centered around a set of hymns to the Virgin, pieces by C.V. Stanford, Night and Day songs, and a set of Swedish folk songs. Laura Strong, soprano, played a Bach Cello Suite on the Baritone Saxophone. |
Tacoma Ringing Society
began making history on September 14, 2015 with five founding members: George Edman, Amanda Franzman, Brian Franzman, Melissa Metzler and Julia Collier. This ensemble stems from many years of ringing in church and school with musicians of all ages. This venture is inspired by my ringing mentor, Mary Lu Brooks, who in 1993 saw a young music teacher and immediately put her to use. In the space of a year, she taught me to ring, trained me as assistant director, and convinced me to join with her in creating a community ensemble for children. |