About Us
Our Mission
The original purpose of SDWC has carried through many changes and remains
evident in our mission statement:
“Through musical expression, the San Diego Women's Chorus encourages
women's creativity, celebrates diversity, and inspires social action.”
The San Diego Women's Chorus was established in 1987 by Cynthia Lawrence-Wallace, a well-known community activist. That first group was made up of 14 members who rehearsed in Cynthia's living room. Several of those founding members are still active singing members today.
Performance Highlights
Listen to a sample of our work taken from the 2004 GALA concert in Montreal Canada:
Ave Maria (2:24) Written & arranged by Christopher Allen
When I Come Back (4:55) Words by CM Anderson/Arranged by Christopher Allen
In addition to two concerts produced per year, SDWC performs
for numerous local
organizations
and community
events
throughout
the season.
In
2006,
the chorus
performed at the San Diego Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony (photo of 2005 ceremony at right, reprinted with permission),
Miramar College graduation, Bravo San Diego, the Scouting for All Rally
and Susan
G. Komen Race for the Cure. This winter, the Chorus hosted Kate Clinton
in a benefit
performance. SDWC released its first CD, For the Record, in 2006.
In June 2006, the Chorus welcomes choruses from across the country to San
Diego
for the Sister
Singers Network 9th International Choral Festival, produced by SDWC.
Recent past performances in 2006 include: San Diego Pride; our holiday concert on December 2nd (Voices Ringing Out); Christmas on the Promenade; Holiday Memorial Candle Lighting Service at Greenwood Memorial Park and Mortuary; and a holiday dinner performance for Special Delivery.
Other past performances have included UCSD LGBT graduation ceremony, the Center's Gala Fundraiser, the San Diego Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival Stage, GSDBA, NOW, the Barry Manilow concert at the San Diego County Fair, the San Diego Democratic Club, San Diego Hospice Memorial Service, World AIDS Day, the AIDS Foundation Candlelight Vigil, Spectrum '95 & '97, and Take Back the Night.
SDWC was very proud to receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Community Service from the San Diego Democratic Club in 1997.
SDWC has performed in joint concerts with the Finest City Freedom Band, the San Diego Men's Chorus, the Gay Men's Chorus of San Diego, In aChord, the Portland Lesbian Choir, the Derivative Duo, the West Coast Singers, Pam & Maggie, Holly Near, Desert Voices, Margie Adam, and Lucie Blue Tremblay.
The Chorus has sung in Seattle, Houston, Cincinnati, Tampa, San Jose, Tucson, and Montreal.
Board of Directors 2008
President: Dawn Levy
Vice Presidents: Sonia Curo
Secretary: Shelly McMorrow
Treasurer: Sarah Parsons
Members at Large: DE Murray, Judith Mandeville, Ellie Mout
General Manager: Carin Scheinin
Community Members: Charmaine Mayes, Jeff Davis
Artistic Director: Christopher Allen
Originally from Portsmouth Ohio, Chris has been in the San Diego area since 1982 where he has been involved in many facets of music making throughout the city. His resume includes serving as Conductor and Production Assistant for San Diego Comic Opera, Ballet Pianist and Principal Staging Pianist for the San Diego Opera, Musical Director and Pianist for the San Diego Opera Ensemble, Principal Accompanist and Artistic Director for the San Diego Men's Chorus, Staff Pianist and Musical Director for San Diego State University's Choral and Opera Theater Programs. He also serves as Principal Pianist and Assistant Music Director/Conductor for the San Diego Master Chorale, and in his spare time as organist for Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Chris joined the San Diego Women's Chorus in 1996. He has been thrilled to conduct this group of wonderful women... and has become much more worldly, after the first couple times of seeing a mother breast-feeding her baby in rehearsal. He can even talk about it now without blushing... too much. Chris's expertise in choral arranging has been a terrific benefit to SDWC. He has become so in tune with the vocal strengths and abilities of the women in the chorus, he is able to arrange music to perfectly fit their voices. The results are remarkable! SDWC was proud to have Chris at the podium for their GALA performances in San Jose in 2000 and Seattle in 2002.
In addition to his SDWC responsibilities, Chris is currently serving as the Musical Director for the Opera Theater program at San Diego State University; and as the Assistant Music Director/Conductor for the San Diego Master Chorale. He is also the organist for Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.