Joy and excitement fill the air as Olympia’s own Masterworks Choral Ensemble (MCE) begins to prepare for their season finale Women Rock concert. Women Rock is a pops concert that highlights the works of female songwriters, some of whom wrote songs that were made famous by male performers, giving the audience a chance to learn and be surprised. The program for this concert is still under development, but Artistic Director and Conductor, Ben Luedcke says that audiences can expect to see Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Madonna, Brandi Carlisle, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Adele, and Sara Barreilles. Others may include Dolly Parton, Celine Dione, Katie Perry, Lady Gaga, and Miley Cyrus. An event to remember, OLY ARTS wants to give you an inside look at the creative process surrounding this concert and give you the opportunity to listen to the voices of five of its female members.
Mary Amanda
Chatting further with Luedcke, OLY ARTS learned that the creation of Women Rock was inspired by last season’s “Jukebox” concert featuring popular hits from the ’50s and ’60s. One of Luedcke’s favorite songs was Aretha Franklin’s “Think,” which was the only song from the concert originally performed by a woman. Inspired by that performance, Luedcke reflects:
“I wanted to create a concert of female songwriters that celebrates the early pioneers, and I also wanted to have some fun performing contemporary well-known artists as well. […] The goal for this concert is to program pieces that were written by a woman: rather than give fanfare to performers, I wanted to highlight the often ‘hidden’ artists who might not be as featured in the history books. I hope the audience considers all those that are overlooked: the world would be a better place if we all were more open to the things we don’t readily see, and instead if we were more curious and intentional about giving credit to all kinds of work done behind the scenes.”
The Masterworks Choral Ensemble
Luedcke has already begun speaking to MCE members about this mindset, and every female member we spoke to highlighted their excitement for the knowledge and insight audiences will gain from attending this concert. Adding to this mindset, MCE member Julie Moffatt shared that:
“I think women throughout history have always kind of represented as a kind of a suppressed, downtrodden group of people. Women in rock and roll are so awesome and empowering. I hope that being able to focus on that in this concert will elevate people and take them to that place where they feel like they can do anything and push through anything.”
Moffatt, a soprano 1 with MCE, has been on the board, was chair of the operations department, and has been with MCE since 2016. She has been making music her whole life singing with her cousins and eventually participating in choirs and theatres in high school, college, and now in MCE where she (along with many others) has found community and good friends within the choir. Singing alongside her are tenor 1 Victoria Montrose and three Alto 1’s: Mary Tennyson, Kelly Hall, and Amanda Jen. Each started music at different stages of their lives, have been flexible with which vocal part they sing, and all have varying experience with MCE.
Tennyson joined MCE in 1983 and has been with the group ever since. Reflecting on her time with MCE, she shared what she loves about MCE:
“The creative part of being a singer in a large choral group, and the blending in with people. Freedom of expression under direction, there is no tension like there can be as a soloist. Singing in a choir is a much easier way to do it. There is also a power in hearing the voices blend and create this sound. … It can be exhausting to invest the time and energy into the music in the midst of real life, but it also energizes me. We’ve done stage work, music to theater, and music for causes like ‘music for the cure.’”
Hall joined MCE 3 years ago and is so grateful for the opportunities MCE has given her and for the dreams it has fulfilled like being in a large ensemble of 90-plus people and singing with an orchestra. She is one of the major contributors to MCE’s Marketing & Development committee and a new board member. In reflecting on what it means to be a woman in music, she shared:
“Growing up around music, I had so many mentors and friends that have been mostly women. It’s been a place where women have been showing great examples of how to learn and grow. (The) entire board of directors for MCE is women (I’m a part of that). What we are doing transcends gender. We have women who sing tenor, as well as transgender and non-binary members.”
Montrose started violin when she was 9 or 10, got a degree in music education, and started singing in college. She joined MCE in 2005, sang for many years, took a hiatus, and then joined back in 2018. She wears many hats serving as a section leader, business manager, member of the board of directors, member of all four of MCE’s committees, and director of the Harmony Sweepstakes concert. When discussing MCE, she said:
“I wanted to be in masterworks because I love singing in a group. I love harmonizing, the fact that we are more than the sum of our parts when we sing together, and how MCE fosters the love of singing and music with the community. MCE also gives me the space to contribute ideas and make a difference for a non-profit. My love for MCE is layered.”
Jen is one of the newest and youngest members of MCE. She is so grateful to have made friends at MCE and loves the diversity within MCE and is inspired by everyone’s commitment to the music. In talking about singing with the choir, she reflected:
“It is all about being committed to growing, and it requires vulnerability and humanity that maybe isn’t required in other places. In music, I have found community and the most compassionate people I know. I feel that I have been able to be seen and heard. You have to show up fully as yourself. The mentorship in MCE is wonderful and there is humility and cooperation.”
Conversations with these incredible women were inspiring, enlightening, and gave us gratitude and hope. We were reminded that music and musicians are all around us and so well integrated in the community. MCE alone has 117 members this season, all with varying professions and interests outside of music, but music has been the force to unite them and harness peace since 1981. Consistently embracing diversity, MCE switched their uniform from “women’s attire” vs “men’s attire” — not only is this more inclusive in general, but it allows women to dress in what makes them feel more comfortable — whether that is a skirt and blouse or pants with a suit jacket! MCE has recently re-voiced their entire choir, allowing for several singers who identify as women who sing the Tenor part. Marketing & Development Committee Chair Elise Marshall shares:
“We’re volunteer led, and drive several community initiatives. One is ‘Open Sing,’ a summer vocal workshop free to anyone in the community. It’s a great way to meet other music lovers, dip your toe into singing in a group, and get to know MCE. We’ve had several members end up joining our ensemble because they tried an Open Sing workshop!”
Whether you choose to dip your toes into the world of music by attending MCE’s upcoming Women Rock concert, decide to attend an Open Sing, audition for the choir, or even donate to the organization, MCE brightens everyday life Olympia and opens the doors for further music making and community.
To purchase tickets, you can visit Washington Center’s website or box office, or purchase directly from MCE at https://mce.org/.
To stay afloat in everything MCE is doing, you can visit the website listed above as well as follow them on Facebook and Instagram @MasterworksChoralEnsemble.
What: Masterworks Choral Ensemble’s Women Rock Concert
When: 7:30 p.m., June 14
Where: Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia
How Much: adult $30, senior & military $26, student (15+): $24, youth (14 and under) $16, prices above include service fees
