Queer Songbook Orchestra
Queer Songbook Orchestra are a Canadian chamber pop ensemble, who record and perform orchestral versions of pop songs with meaning to the LGBTQ community.[1] Songs performed by the orchestra do not necessarily have to be explicitly LGBTQ-themed; the group's stated selection criteria permits any song that can be paired with a compelling story about how that song has "touched a queer life in a way".[2]
In concert, each song performed is paired with a recitation of the background story that inspired the group to perform the song. The submitted stories are also collected for posterity by the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives.[3]
Membership
[edit]Launched by artistic director Shaun Brodie in 2014,[4] the group's core members include vocalists Alanna Stuart and Alex Samaras, poet Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, violinist Jennifer Burford, cellist Evan Lamberton, oboist and English horn player Lief Mosbaugh, French horn player Micajah Sturgess, guitarist Thom Gill, double bassist Dan Fortin, and percussionist Stefan Schneider. A rotating collective of other musicians and storytellers have also collaborated with the group at individual performances, including Carole Pope,[5] Beverly Glenn-Copeland,[5] Leah Fay,[6] Vivek Shraya, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Gwen Benaway,[5] Mark Tewksbury,[5] Veda Hille,[7] Lorraine Segato,[4] Bill Richardson,[7] Gentleman Reg,[5] Gary Beals, Louis Negin, Wayson Choy, Rémy Huberdeau, Simone Schmidt, Torquil Campbell, Daniela Gesundheit, Katie Ritchie, Casey Mecija, Cris Derksen,[5] Rae Spoon and Safia Nolin.
Live performances
[edit]The group performed for the first time at Toronto's Videofag in 2014.[8] In 2015 they gave their first live performance outside Toronto, performing at St. Alban's Anglican Church in Ottawa.[9] In recent years they have performed an annual show at Buddies in Bad Times during Pride Toronto,[5] and have performed at various arts festivals throughout Canada. In fall 2018, they undertook a 12-city national tour.[10]
Recordings
[edit]The group collaborated with Vivek Shraya on her 2017 album Part Time Woman,[11] which was a longlisted nominee for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize.[12] In 2018, they released their own debut album, Anthems & Icons, which includes renditions of songs by k.d. lang, Billy Strayhorn, Rita MacNeil, Joe Meek, Gene MacLellan, Melissa Etheridge and Arthur Russell.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "First Play: Queer Songbook Orchestra, Anthems and Icons". CBC Music, June 7, 2018.
- ^ "Queer Songbook Orchestra Puts the LGBTQ+ Experience In Pop at the Forefront". Noisey, June 20, 2018.
- ^ "Music is just part of the mission for Queer Songbook Orchestra". Waterloo Region Record, June 15, 2018.
- ^ a b "Rita MacNeil as a queer icon? Pop collective aims to challenge perceptions". Halifax Chronicle-Herald, June 20, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Local hero: Queer Songbook Orchestra's Shaun Brodie". Now, June 13, 2017.
- ^ "Queer Songbook Orchestra’s musical “Resilience”". Queen's Journal, March 23, 2018.
- ^ a b "Queer Songbook Orchestra strengthens resolve with Songs of Resilience". The Georgia Straight, January 27, 2016.
- ^ "Repression in rhapsody". Daily Xtra, March 26, 2014.
- ^ "Queer Songbook Orchestra: St. Alban's Anglican Church, Ottawa ON, August 19". Exclaim!, August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Queer Songbook Orchestra are crossing the country to share their mission of LGBTQ love". CBC Arts, September 26, 2018.
- ^ "Redefining femininity with Vivek Shraya’s newest album". This Magazine, October 19, 2017.
- ^ "Polaris Prize 2018: Arcade Fire, Daniel Caesar, Gord Downie, More Make The Long List". ET Canada, June 14, 2018.
- ^ "Queer Songbook Orchestra: Anthems & Icons". Exclaim!, June 18, 2018.
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