Resonance Ensemble Performs Under Portland’s Bridges in “Under the Overpass”
For immediate release: November 17, 2020
Media Contact: Liz Bacon Brownson
Web: resonancechoral.org
Email: liz@resonancechoral.org
Phone: 971-212-8034
PORTLAND—All of Portland is a stage in Resonance Ensemble’s new digital concert series, Under the Overpass. Beginning in the summer of 2020, artists were filmed in acoustic spaces under Portland’s famous bridges -- six feet apart, masked, and yet making music together.
This Thursday, November 19, Resonance will release its second episode of the series, with Resonance singers joined by the singers of Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir, acclaimed soloist Onry, and pianist David Saffert, in a stunning rendition of “Stand By Me” filmed under the trestles of the Ross Island Bridge. Viewers worldwide can watch the world premiere for free at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time at Resonance Ensemble’s website and YouTube channel.
About Under the Overpass:
Because of the pandemic, Resonance and other arts organizations have had to cancel or postpone in-person performances, including Damien Geter’s eagerly anticipated An African American Requiem with the Oregon Symphony. Resonance has embraced the opportunity to reimagine its 2020-2021 season, Normal Never Was, which includes Under the Overpass as well as brand-new commissions highlighting timely social issues.
Each video in the Under the Overpass series showcases a different bridge in Portland. The performances, which are no more than six minutes long, are released and then archived on the organization’s YouTube channel for free, with a complete presentation of all the episodes available worldwide in June 2021.
The artists in each video worked with filmmaker Kenton Waltz and production company Oh! Creative to execute their vision. No longer confined to indoor theater venues, the film crew scouted spaces that could offer natural stage elements that allowed for singers to sing masked and six feet apart, yet still create an artistic moment on film. Each video on the series illustrates how art moves forward, despite current challenges.
“Because of the pandemic, we have had to be more imaginative and creative in how we present our work,” says Resonance Ensemble Artistic Advisor Damien Geter. “This series explores what art looks like in this new world.”
Under the Overpass Episode Details:
Episode 1 (the pilot project) was released on YouTube in October, with four more set to unfold throughout the season. Viewers can view each episode as it premieres for free on Resonance Ensemble’s website and YouTube channel. To be the first to receive the announcement, sign up for the mailing list at resonancechoral.org.
Oct 28, 2020
Episode 1: Hawthorne Bridge (pilot project)
Four Resonance singers fight through a windy summer evening under the Hawthorne Bridge to perform a wistful version of Dr. Ysaye Barnwell’s “Wanting Memories.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH EPISODE 1
Nov 19, 2020
Episode 2: Ross Island Bridge with Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir
Acclaimed artist Onry joins singers from Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir and Resonance Ensemble, along with pianist David Saffert, under the trestles of the Ross Island Bridge, to perform a stunning rendition of Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me.”
CLICK HERE TO GET READY FOR EPISODE 2 (premieres Thursday, November 19)
Jan 27, 2021
Episode 3: St. Johns Bridge with Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir
Singers from Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir and Resonance Ensemble sing a dynamic version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” under the St. Johns Bridge at Cathedral Park.
April 28, 2021
Episode 4: North Portland with Third Angle New Music
Resonance collaborates with Third Angle New Music to present a sneak peek at Darrell Grant’s yet-to-be-premiered jazz opera Sanctuaries, under a bridge in North Portland.
May 27, 2021
Episode 5: Tillikum Crossing Bridge
The series will culminate in the world premiere of a new commission by Damien Geter for a Resonance octet, to be performed under the Tillikum Crossing Bridge.
June 30, 2021
A special full viewing of the entire series
Viewers worldwide can watch the videos as they are released at Resonance Ensemble’s website and YouTube channel.
BECOME A SEASON SUPPORTER! In lieu of traditional subscription packages, Resonance is asking those who are able to support Resonance in whatever amount they can. The contributions of our Season Supporters bring timely new musical works to life, for free, for global audiences. Supporters can receive incentives including branded masks, T-shirts, and special invitations to exclusive events, including a behind-the-scenes seat at the filming of the final episode of Under the Overpass.
“We realize that times are hard for so many, and that art is a fundamental right that should be available to everyone—especially now,” says Resonance Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon. “It is our hope that those who can will join us to support the new, pivotal works Resonance is producing, that is being created and performed by artists who are responding to these times. I am excited to see what the future brings for all of us.”
For more information about Under the Overpass and to become a Season Supporter, visit resonancechoral.org or contact RE’s Box Office, (503) 427-8701.
Special thanks to our sponsors Ronni Lacroute, Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Community Foundation, Miller Foundation, Collins Foundation, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and to our individual donors.
Note to Journalists: Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon and Artistic Advisor Damien Geter are available for print, online, and broadcast interviews. If you would like more information on our season or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Liz Bacon Brownson at liz@resonancechoral.org or by calling 971-212-8034.
About Resonance Ensemble
In its twelfth season, Resonance Ensemble, a professional vocal ensemble based in Portland, Oregon, creates thoughtful programs that promote meaningful social change. Resonance Ensemble works to amplify voices that have long been silenced, and they do so through moving, thematic concerts that highlight solo and choral voices, new and underrepresented composers, visual and other performing artists, and community partners.
Under Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon, Resonance Ensemble has performed challenging and diverse music, always with an eye toward unusual collaborations with artistic partners from around the country: poets, jazz musicians, singer-songwriters, painters, dancers. The Resonance Ensemble singers are “one of the Northwest’s finest choirs” (Willamette Week), with gorgeous vocal tone, and they also make music with heart.
The groundbreaking work that Resonance Ensemble has been producing over the last few years has been noted by local media and national arts organizations. In Oregon Arts Watch, Matthew Andrews described Resonance as “Part social commentary, part group therapy, and part best damn choir show in town" (June 2019). Chorus America honored Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon in the summer of 2019 with the Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal for her work rededicating Resonance to promoting meaningful social change, and for the meaningful community partnerships she creates. For the tribute to Dr. FitzGibbon, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaJMVozrcPo.
For more information:
Website:/resonancechoral.org
Youtube :/c/ResonanceEnsemble
Facebook: /resonanceensemblepdx
Instagram:/resonanceensemblepd
Twitter: /resonanceensemblepdx
Hashtags: #NormalNeverWas #UnderTheOverpass #ResonanceEnsemblePDX #RossIslandBridge
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