We saved this one for last for a reason.

On June 30th, Resonance Ensemble closes its books on our 13th season. We have spent time over the last few weeks reflecting on where we are and where we want to go next. We share with you some of the ways we have grown into the organization we are today through the lens of our deepest core values: tangible connection, programming with purpose, and exceptional artistry.  

Let’s Talk about Exceptional Artistry.

Without the exceptional musicians, composers, visual artists, dancers, authors, poets, and filmmakers, we couldn't do any of this. Resonance believes in tangible connection and programming with purpose, and we also aim to deliver that programming with artistic excellence and with heart. To be a Resonance artist one must encompass skill and experience, but also the essence of supreme dedication to storytelling. Resonance artists maintain an uncompromising commitment to excellence in all these areas and they do it with heart. Exceptional artistry is what makes everything possible. 

As Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon said in a recent interview, “The people in Resonance…are people who are willing to do whatever the music needs, whatever the story needs—to be part of a bold approach….” Our musicians, composers, visual artists, dancers, authors, poets, and filmmakers all work to hone their craft and tell their stories - so that when you experience a Resonance concert, you experience the most exceptional artistry. 

But don’t just take our word for it. The Resonance Ensemble singers have been deemed “one of the Northwest’s finest choirs” (Willamette Week), noted for their gorgeous precision (Oregon ArtsWatch) and versatile vocal tone. Every singer is a soloist, with experience in many styles and genres of vocal music. When those voices come together, they create a choir that can sing powerful, full chords; gentle, slender caresses; and yearning musical crescendos. But they’re not just technically skilled; they bring a deep emotional commitment to the Resonance mission, and they sing with vulnerability. This music for us is personal.

Commissioning new works from celebrated composers, poets, and other artists. Thanks to your support of the Dinah Dodds Fund for the Creation of New Art, Resonance has commissioned incisive new works from composers and poets from around the world. We hope to leave a lasting legacy of brilliant vocal music for future generations – music that will share stories that haven’t previously been part of the vocal music canon. 

Exceptional Artists Du Jour

We are deeply grateful to our commissioned composers…

Jasmine Barnes, Melissa Dunphy, Renée Favand-See, Damien Geter, Joe Kye, Mari Esabel Valverde, and Freddy Vilches. We also thank our commissioned poets: Rosa Chávez, Elicura Chihuailaf, Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, Estela Gamero López, S. Renee Mitchell, Sonya Renee Taylor, Gustavo Zapoteco Sideño, and Julieta Zurita Cavero.

…and to our guest artists who join us in powerful collaborations. This season alone, we partnered with photographer Joe Cantrell, The Choral Arts Society of Washington, conductor William Eddins, cellist Nancy Ives, conductor Alexander Lloyd Blake, tenor Bernard Holcomb, Matices Latin Ensemble, poet S. Renee Mitchell, the Oregon Symphony, baritone Kenneth Overton, mezzo-soprano Karmesha Peake, pianist David Saffert, actor/storyteller Vin Shambry, soprano Brandie Sutton, pianist Colin Alexei Shepard, and composer Mari Esabel Valverde.

Being able to feature such excellence happens because of you. Ticket sales cover a small portion of paying these outstanding professional musicians and artists, and underwriting free access to our programming. We rely on our supportive community for your contributions. The powerful and relevant music we commission, and the artists we contract, are all made possible because of your support. 

As we get closer to June 30 - the end of our fiscal year - we hope you will consider a donation to Resonance Ensemble.

WE SIMPLY CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.