Turtle Creek Chorale 35th Season Lineup

BRAVE

October 17-18

Latino Cultural Center

Our first concert of the season. BRAVE, will be a poignant and powerful statement of courage, faith, and perseverance you won’t forget. The concert will feature men of the Turtle Creek Chorale and community artists as they share, through music, their personal stories of bravery and hope.

“JANGLED”

December 18-21

Dallas City Performance Hall

Each holiday season we are inundated with messages, noises, pressures, and commitments that can sometimes leave us…well…”Jangled.” Join TCC for our traditional and beloved holiday concert as we rediscover the true spirit of the holidays and celebrate this truly magical season.

*Children’s matinee concert on December 20*

 

35th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

February 7

Dallas City Performance Hall

TCC will celebrate its 35th Anniversary with a concert joined by our alumni and Conductor Emeritus Dr. Timothy Seelig as we present the amazing music that made the TCC the most renowned male chorus in the world.

 

BRITTEN, BEATLES & BOND

April 23-25

Dallas City Performance Hall

TCC presents selections from our favorite friends from “across the pond” – The Beatles, Elton John, and even contemporary artists such as Adele, and yes, even the Spice Girls! We won’t forget our more “serious” British composers, with works by Benjamin Britten and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

 

MÙSICA DE MAYO

May 1-2

Latino Cultural Center

Chamber Chorus and members of TCC present a festive concert of sizzling music celebrating the Latino culture. This concert will feature choral music from Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexican, and Spain.

 

TURTLE-LY 80s

June 19-21

Dallas City Performance Hall

Join us as we celebrate our founding decade of teased hair, baggy pants, and more! It’s also your chance to sing along with TCC for many of the songs! You know you’ll want to anyway!

United in Song

By Todd Camp 

Looks like there’s no rest for the weary.

After months of preparation and two performances of their high-energy Divas Gone … But Not Forgotten concert, not to mention the subsequent striking of the show, for several members of the Turtle Creek Chorale Camerata, at least, the work isn’t over. A select group of singers will have yet another performance just an hour and a half after the last Divas show. Deep breath, guys.

The audience? Only more than 1500 mayors from across the country, including Dallas’ own Mayor Mike Rawlings. They’re visiting Dallas as part of the 82nd Annual United States Conference of Mayors June 20-23 at the Omni Dallas Hotel.

While touring the Dallas Arts District on Sunday, June 22, the mayors will have the opportunity to enjoy a cultural taste test of sorts.

“Each of the district’s major performance spaces will feature mini performances from some of Dallas’ best talent,” says Turtle Creek Chorale Development/Marketing Director Caroline French. “It’s a chance to not only show off the city’s cultural vibrancy but also the exceptional quality of its arts organizations.”

First up, of course, will be Turtle Creek Chorale’s Camerata a cappella ensemble performing a yet undecided set list.

While the mayors will be working throughout the daytime sessions to find bipartisan solutions for spurring job creation and economic growth in their cites, it’s nice to think that, if only for a few short moments, they can be unified by a shared love of beautiful music.

Gone Before Their Time

Dutourdumonde Photography / Shutterstock.com

By Todd Camp

As Turtle Creek Chorale’s performances of “Divas Gone…But Not Forgotten” continue this weekend at Dallas City Performance Hall, prolific divas share the stage with a couple of short-lived, but no less iconic, performers who were gone long before their time.

Selena

Diva status: The Queen of Tejano Music

Props: Her outfits.Dubbed “the Mexican Madonna,” her attire was bold, sexy, and in your face — just as much as was her ample talent and vocal chops.

Signature song: “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” from the album Amor Prohibido may be her best-known single, but it was her 1995 album, Dreaming Of You, that established her as a cross over artist and a (vocal) force to be reckoned with.

Personal struggle: While her legacy is not tarnished by substance abuse, herfame and stardom would lead to her untimely downfall. On March 31, 1995, Selena was gunned down by Yolanda Saldivar — who, coincidentally — was the former president of her fan club. Two weeks after her death, then-governor of Texas, George W. Bush declared April 16^th (her birthday) to be “Selena Day” in the state. In 1997, Jennifer Lopez portrayed the Latin crossover artist in a wildly successful biopic, and on March 16, 2011, the U.S. Post Office commemorated Selena as the subject of one of their “Latin Legends” memorial stamps.

Amy Winehouse


Diva status: Self-Destructive Chanteuse

Props: This north London-born singer was known for embracing a number ofmusical styles, from soul to reggae. Her second album, Back to Black, earned five Grammy awards, including three of the Big Four awards.

Signature song: Winehouse never cracked the Top 5 in the States, but her autobiographical hit “Rehab,”an ode to her own struggles with treatment for substance abuse, did reach No. 9, taking home three Grammys, including “Record of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.”

Personal struggle: Winehouse shared some eerie parallels with Joplin, including a longtime struggle with drug abuse (including heroine and crack cocaine) and later alcohol abuse. Various bouts with treatment proved unsuccessful (as her cruelly ironic hit single attested) and her frequent relapses eventually lead to her death by alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011 at the age of 27.

 

Meet the Cast: Larry Carter

By Todd Camp

Larry Carter

Details: Born in Big Spring, Texas, this 71-year-old is currently retired. His entire working career was spent in radio and television, including 26 years at NBC in Burbank, Calif. During that time, he built sets for The Tonight Show, Days of Our Lives, “and about a million Bob Hope Christmas Specials and game shows,” Carter says.

Chops: Starting in a boy’s choir in the sixth grade, he appeared in several musicals in college while pursuing a degree in theater and speech at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.

Most memorable performance: Carter says he’ll never forget his debut with Turtle Creek Chorale in 2009. The concert was called If Music Be the Food of Love and it particularly hit home after his 20-year-old grandson was killed by a drunk driver the month before the opening.

“Music, for me … was indeed the ‘Food of Love.’ My Turtle brothers wrapped their arms around me and have never let me go. I am forever indebted to them for keeping me sane and grounded during the darkest time of my life.”

Favorite song performed: It’s a song that, unfortunately, is sung too many times at funerals of Chorale members, “… and a song that will also be sung at mine: ‘Majesty and Glory of Your Name.’I still cannot make it through without tears,” he says. “Mostly tears of joy at the sound and the total commitment from us all. It’s one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard.”

What draws him to Turtle Creek Chorale: After sitting in the audience for three years, Carter finally decided he had to sing. “Celebrating my membership in Turtle Creek Chorale and celebrating the life of my grandson, Josh. That’s my commitment … and what keeps me coming back day after day, week after week, year after year.”

Fun Fact Most Don’t Know About You: During his tenure at NBC, Carter made several appearances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno playing former FBI head J. Edgar Hoover … in drag! He also appeared as the Queen Mother of Eng

The Time of Your Life

By Todd Camp 

When you sit down to enjoy a performance of the Turtle Creek Chorale, you’re probably not thinking about how much time went into crafting the show you’re about to experience.

“Oh, I can’t begin to calculate. Hundreds. Hundreds of hours,” says Turtle Creek Chorale Associate Conductor Sean Baugh when asked about the hours of work that go into a typical Chorale performance. Baugh, who has been with Turtle Creek Chorale since 2006, has traditionally served in support of the Artistic Director. But he’s about to step up to the podium to lead the Chorale through the first part of their next season while Turtle Creek Chorale begins its search for a new Artistic Director. In other words, he knows what he’s talking about.

Baugh says most shows start the clock about two and a half months prior to performance. The Artistic Director and staff have already made decisions regarding the theme of the show as well as what pieces may be performed.

“The Artistic Director will personally select the repertoire,” says Baugh. “If the pieces haven’t been arranged for a chorus, that is done. They can also commission new pieces.”

Once the songs are selected, rehearsals begin. Regular chorus members have two rehearsals a week, each lasting two to three hours. If those members happen to be a part of one of Turtle Creek Chorale’s smaller ensembles (such as the Chamber Chorus, Camerata, or the dance-intensive Sound Bytes) they have even more rehearsals. Add choreography to the mix, and the hours add up, including two to three marathon technical rehearsals as performance time nears.

“That doesn’t even include the personal time spent memorizing lyrics and learning the music,” Baugh says. “It takes a lot of time.” To say the least. And once all of their hard work is done, you need only make time to enjoy it.

Which Diva Do You Favor?

By Todd Camp

When Turtle Creek Chorale takes the Dallas City Performance Hall stage June 20-22 for this season’s final performances, they’ll be running on pure grrrl power. The Divas Gone … But Not Forgotten performance will channel a diverse array of legendary female vocalists, from Amy Winehouse to Tammy Wynette. But if your diva knowledge is limited only to Judy or Babs, you better brush up on at least two of these legendary ladies whose work will be featured in the show.



Whitney Houston

Diva status: Superstar Props: Cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most awarded female act of all time (a total of 600 awards!), Houston’s somewhat limited catalog (only six studio albums, a holiday album, and three soundtrack albums), boasts nearly 200 million record sales worldwide. She’s also the only artist ever to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. Signature song: So many contenders to choose from, but her iconic cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,”from the original soundtrack to the film The Bodyguard (in which she also starred), is untouchable and is only the best-selling single by a woman in history. Personal struggle: Her volatile marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown and her public battle with substance abuse made her the subject of ridicule late in her career, but after her tragic drowning in a bathtub in 2012, brought on by complications from heart disease, Houston’s effervescence and powerhouse vocals are something for which she will never be forgotten.

Karen Carpenter

Diva status: Underdog Props: Together with her brother Richard, under the band name The Carpenters, Karen was not only an amazing singer, but an accomplished drummer as well. With 11 studio albums and her own solo album, Karen and her siblings were major stars in the ‘70s, racking up several No. 1 hits. Signature song: There’s no definitive answer here and fans will definitely debate these choices, but it would probably be a toss-up between their No. 1 hit “(They Long to Be) Close to You” written by the legendary songwriting duo of Burt Bacharach and Hal David; and their No. 2 hit “We’ve Only Just Begun.” Personal struggle: Though her brother’s struggle with drug dependency affected the duo’s touring shows, Karen’s lifelong battle with anorexia nervosa ultimately caused her death by heart failure in 1983 and sparked a national discussion on the issue.

Meet the Cast: Sean Orr

By Todd Camp

Sean Orr

Personal Details: This 32-year-old Santa Clara, Calif. native grew up in Rock Springs, Wy., before relocating to Texas in 2000. By day, he works as an assistant vice president at Bank of America.

Chops: His past musical experience consisted of belting Mariah Carey tunes in the shower, but Orr says that five years with the group has left a lasting impression. “The level of experience and the musical excellence that Turtle Creek Chorale is known for has definitely impacted the way in which I hear and express music today,” he says.

Most memorable performance: Touring Spain with a Turtle Creek Chorale concert series in 2010, Orr has many fond memories of his experiences there. But the moment that stuck with him came when the group was on a guided tour of the architecturally stunning Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.

“While in the middle of the massive cathedral, the chorale performed a very impromptu performance of ‘Ave Maria,’” Orr recalls. “It was magical; the music filled the room and the other tour groups stopped. Workers laid down their hammers and all got to enjoy the emotional, memorable experience. To me, in essence, that’s what music is all about!”

Favorite song performed: Orr says his favorite Turtle Creek Chorale tradition comes during their traditional Christmas concert performances. “Each year, we conclude the show with a rendition of ‘Peace Peace’ and ‘Silent Night.’ Both members and Turtle Creek Chorale patrons are transported to a place of reflection and joy, and at this moment, I feel the Christmas spirit has officially arrived.”

What draws you to Turtle Creek Chorale: “I see it as a fraternity of brothers, and some of my best friends were born from the chorale,” Orr says. “Turtle Creek Chorale is a source of fun, escape, joy, love, and community to me.”

Fun Fact: He’s an adventure seeker, whether it’s skiing in Snowmass, Colo., whitewater rafting down the Snake River in Wyoming, or taking flying trapeze lessons in Dallas. “If it gets my heart racing, I’m in!” he says.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend a Turtle Creek Chorale Performance

By Todd Camp

True music lovers don’t really need this many reasons to check out Dallas’ premier men’s chorus, but here are a few you may not have thought about:

10. If you caught Turtle Creek Chorale’s performance of Sweeney Todd with the Uptown Players last month, you know that meatpies never sounded so good. Best part? Zero chance of indigestion.

9. Tuxedos! Tuxedos! Tuxedos!

8. Where else are you going to hear more than 200 male voices singing an Amy Winehouse tune? OK, sure, Station 4 on a Saturday night. But where else are you going to hear more than 200 male voices singing an Amy Winehouse tune in perfect harmony?

7. Includes more than twice your recommended daily allowance of sass.

6. A dazzling blend of choral classics and modern favorites delivered with impeccable precision by a group of talented gentlemen who also happen to be easy on the eyes.

5. Gossip overheard in the concession line is like binge-watching a week’s worth of Extra crammed into just a few minutes.

4. The restrooms at Dallas City Performance Hall are probably nicer (and larger) than your entire apartment.

3. Who needs expensive cologne when you can just hug everyone you know before the show?

2. Your ticket purchase helps to raise thousands of dollars for many worthy charities when you attend one of Turtle Creek Chorale’s many benefit performances throughout the year. And did we mention that these guys sure are easy on the eyes?

1. Half the calories of the other leading all-male chorales, and Turtle Creek Chorale is gluten-free, nut-free, fat-free, and sodium-free, without sacrificing any of the taste.

She’s alive, ALIVE!

By Todd Camp

Channeling some of the biggest ladies in pop music is not for the faint of heart, so it’s a good thing most of the fellas in Turtle Creek Chorale are no strangers to divas. The group’s season closer, Divas Gone . . . But Not Forgotten, serves up some of showbiz’s most scintillating songstresses, from Judy Garland to Whitney Houston. But bringing these larger-than-life broads to the Dallas City Performance Hall stage is a lot harder than it looks.

As with most Turtle Creek Chorale performances, the show first came together about two and a half months ago when, in a rare departure from standard practice in which the Artistic Director hand-picks each tune, the members themselves had a voice in the selections.

“We asked members to fill out cards and solicited input from the entire membership for this concert,” says Associate Conductor Sean Baugh.

Perhaps that’s why you’ll see often-unsung divas like Karen Carpenter or Amy Winehouse in the mix, alongside some of the more traditional female phenoms.

The show will feature more than 20 favorites such as Whitney Houston’s iconic “I Will Always Love You,” Etta James’ “At Last,” and Judy Garland’s “The Trolley Song.”

And it wouldn’t be a season finale without a little choreography amongst the vocal runs. That not only means some dance heavy lifting from the seasoned hoofers of Sound Bytes but also very deft footwork from the full chorus.

“When you have a room full of guys who range in age from 25 to 85, it’s kind of funny to watch that take shape,” says Baugh.

We’re certain Turtle Creek Chorale will “step up” to the occasion.