Seattle Pro Musica is presenting Pacific Voices, a performance of choral music by Asian and Asian-American composers, with two shows this weekend.
The concert of choral music highlights the Asian and Asian-American cultural influence in the Pacific Northwest and Seattle-area, according to the press release. The show features composers from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand and the United States.
The choir will be singing in at least nine languages throughout the performance, including Thai, Urdu and Mongolian, according to their website. Additionally, there will be a panel discussion on representation within classical choral music before each performance.
The first show will be on March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Seattle First Baptist Church. The second show on March 10 will be at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood. The tickets range from $12 to $38 with discounts for students and seniors.
“I’m really excited to bring these lesser-known gems to our audiences,” said Artistic Director Karen P. Thomas in a press release. “ This is wonderful music, much of it written by up-and-coming composers, and it deserves to be heard and enjoyed.”
Thomas received a 2018 Seattle Mayor’s Arts Award for her leadership in helping make choral ensembles inclusive to nonbinary and trans performers.
Hannah Won, a member of Seattle Pro Musica’s board and choir, suggested the program in order to reflect the growing presence of Asian voices within the organization.
This performance fits with Seattle Pro Musica’s statement on cultural equity, which states that the organization is committed to providing equal access and inclusion for all people. The organization has received many accolades on the basis of musical achievement and cultural outreach and has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Seattle Foundation, and The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation among others.
