Women Singing OUT! (WSO!) will perform “Where I Live (A Breast Cancer Oratorio)” by Diane Benjamin, on Sunday, October 30, 3 pm, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1035 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Accompanying WSO! will be a chamber ensemble which includes members of the “Artful Noise String Quartet.” Presented in partnership with Breast Cancer Stories, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Betty J. Borry Breast Cancer Retreats. http://www.bjbbreastcancerretreats.org/. Tickets are $15 ($12 for seniors) and are available online at or at the door.
This performance aspires to raise awareness and encourage support for those who have been touched by breast cancer. Through the use of the oratorio genre, Benjamin honors one woman's story of diagnosis, treatment and living with breast cancer by presenting it as "sacred text." Filled with lyrical beauty and rhythmic intensity, “Where I Live (A Breast Cancer Oratorio)” alternates narrative readings with songs performed by Women Singing OUT!. The narrative readings approach the topic from many angles, creating a powerful artistic message. Narrators include former US House Representative, Carol Shea-Porter; My Breast Cancer Stories Executive Director, Wendy McCoole; Director of Seacoast Repertory Theater’s Senior Moments, Joanne Dodge; and longtime friend and member of WSO!, Cheryl Tardy.
Artistic Director, Claudia Frost, now in her sixth year as conductor of WSO!, holds degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting from Boston University and Westminster Choir College. She describes the Oratorio as “urgent and rewarding.” Frost says, "I would like to offer this music in honor of the women that I have loved and lost, to the women that you have loved and lost, and to all the mothers, aunts, sisters, friends, lovers and daughters who have helped each other face our darkest hours. Then, for our second half, I would like to look cancer straight in the eye, and sing and dance to show our courage and optimism for the future."
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WSO! will present a second performance of the “Where I Live(A Breast Cancer Oratorio)” on November 6 at 3pm at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, Massachusetts. The November 6th concert will benefit “Know Breast Cancer,” part of the National Breast Cancer Prevention Project. Tickets for the Shalin Liu Performance Center performance are $20 and are available online at www.rcmf.org/tickets.html or by calling the box office - (978) 546-7391.
Women Singing OUT!, Inc., is a lesbian-based chorus that welcomes all women regardless of race, religion, age, educational background or sexual orientation. Our member’s believe that music is a universal language which transcends boundaries. Women Singing OUT!, Inc., is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit arts organization. For more information about the performances and Women Singing OUT!, please visit www.womensingingout.org.
