Turtle Creek Chorale
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| Turtle Creek Chorale | |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | TCC |
| Origin |  Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Genre(s) | Choral, jazz, popular |
| Occupation(s) | Men's Choir |
| Instrument(s) | 225 voices |
| Years active | 1980-present |
| Label(s) | Reference Recordings |
| Associated acts | Chamber Chorus, ENCORE!, New Texas Symphony Orchestra (NTSO), Strangerettes |
| Website | www.turtlecreek.org |
| Members | |
| Executive Director Craig Popkess Artistic Director Dr. Jonathan Palant Principal Accompanist Russ Rieger |
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The Turtle Creek Chorale (TCC) is an American men's chorus located in Dallas, Texas. With 36 CDs and two commercially produced, feature-length motion picture documentaries in public distribution, it is the most recorded men's chorus in the world.[citation needed]
Founded in February 1980, and currently featuring more than 200 singing members, the Chorale performs a full concert series annually to live audiences in excess of 50,000 at its performance home, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, also home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. TCC has several sub-groups: Chamber Chorus, New Texas Symphony Orchestra (NTSO), ENCORE! and Strangerettes.
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[edit] Performance highlights
Performances by the Chorale have included two state, two regional and three national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association as well as a regional convention of Music Educators National Conference. The Chorale has traveled to Europe, performing sold out concerts in Barcelona, Berlin, and Prague as well as two appearances at Carnegie Hall.
The TCC has sung in a command performance for such notables as Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, the inauguration of Texas Governor, Ann Richards, and in 1996 for the inauguration of the City of Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk. These accomplishments were made with one purpose in mind—the enhancement of the musical and cultural life of its audiences through the presentation of male chorus music.
[edit] History
The Turtle Creek Chorale was formed in February 1980. At its first rehearsal in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 39 auditioning members attended. The administrative staff was composed of volunteers. In 1990, the TCC had grown to 150 members and two full-time paid staff. Today, 225 singing members, 25 non-singing associate members, a staff of 15 and a board of 25 directors constitute the TCC. Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center is the home of its season concerts.
1980s
In 1982, Dr. Richard L. Fleming was announced the TCC Artistic Director and Musical Conductor. The Chorale received its first musical honor by being selected the state and regional winners of the Johnny Mann Great American Choral Festival under his direction.
[edit] Gay organization?
The TCC is frequently asked whether or not it is a gay organization. Official responses describe the Turtle Creek Chorale as an arts organization, with a majority of gay members and staff, but whose membership is open to all, and representative of the large community in which they live.[1]
[edit] Leadership: Artistic Director
- 1980: Harry E. Scher
- 1982: Dr. Richard L. Fleming
- 1984: Michael Crawford
- 1987: Dr. Timothy Seelig
- 2007: Dr. Jonathan Palant
[edit] Discography
- From the Heart (1990)
- When We No Longer Touch (1991)
- Peace (1991)
- Testament (1992)
- Requiem (1993)
- United We Sing (1994)
- A Roamin' Holiday (1994)
- Everything's Possible, Tim Seelig Sings Songs of Love and Empowerment (1994, 2001) [2]
- Postcards (1994)
- Let Music Live (1995)
- Family (1995)
- Times of the Day (1995)
- The Gershwin Scrapbook (1996)
- Simply Christmas (1996)
- Celebrate (1997)
- Lifelong Friend (1998)
- Reflections (1997)
- Twisted Turtle Tinsel (1997)
- Best of the Turtle Creek Chorale (1999)
- Psalms (1999)
- Personals (2000)
- Sing for the Cure (2000) [3]
- Song of Wisdom from Old Turtle (2000) [4]
- Turtle Mix (2000)
- Two Worlds with Buddy Shanahan (2001)
- Comfort and Joy (2001)
- To A Dancing Star (2002)
- A Testament to Freedom (2002)
- One World (2002)
- Celestial (2003)
- Annie's Songs (2004)
- The Holy and The Holly (2004)
- Journey (2004)
- Holiday Memories (2005)
- Songs of Our Nation (2006)
- Serenade (May 2007)
For more information, see Discography at TCC's official website.
[edit] Affiliations
- American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
- Associated Male Choruses of America, Inc.
- Chorus America
- GALA Choruses (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses)
- The International Federation of Choral Music
- National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
- City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA)
- Texas Commission on the Arts
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ About the Turtle Creek Chorale. Turtle Creek Chorale. Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
- ^ Originally released in 1994; artwork and packaging was updated for release in 2001
- ^ Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation released a special packaged version of the CD; Maya Angelou narrates
- ^ Marlo Thomas narrates on behalf of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
[edit] Further reading
- Putnam, Jeff & Rattan, Joe. "BREATHE! 25 Years with the Turtle Creek Chorale." First Printing, 2004. Issue ISBN 0-9761661-0-0. Avenue Publishers, Inc.
[edit] External links
- Turtle Creek Chorale Official website
- New Texas Symphony Orchestra Official website
- The Power of Harmony official website
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