Two young Tucson vocalists will represent not only their hometown but the state of Arizona in the inaugural Let Freedom Sing Girlchoir National Convention in Philadelphia later this month.
The girls also will be among the choir of 100 — two from each state — likely to perform at the Democratic National Convention, being held July 25-28 in Philadelphia. The Girlchoir Convention is July 24-29.
Convention spokeswoman Laura Archbold said the choral event is about empowering girls through music.
“It’s not about politics and it’s not about endorsing anything,” she said. “It’s about hope ... for America and working together and being united.”
Olivia Pietz and Naomi Simpson, members of the Tucson Girls Chorus advanced choir, were selected to represent Arizona. Naomi, who spent five years with the choir before graduating from high school this year, plans to study music therapy at Arizona State University. Olivia, a junior at University High School, is starting her third year with the Tucson Girls Chorus.
“We are just so proud about these girls representing our state,” said Tucson Girls Chorus Director Marcela Molina. “I think the whole theme of empowering women through music is so powerful.”
The convention follows the Tucson Girls Chorus’ East Coast tour that included a performance at Serenade chorale festival two weeks ago in Baltimore. The Washington Post praised the Tucson ensemble and Naomi in particular for “a stunning performance of a Magnificat by Christine Donkin for soprano solo over a shimmering, light-infused background of long-held notes.”
The Girlchoir Convention is hosted by Pennsylvania Girlchoir and its parent organization, Commonwealth Youthchoirs. It is the brainchild of Steven Fisher, a longtime choral director and composer in Pennsylvania.
“The fact that these two conventions are taking place at the same time is no coincidence, he said in a prepared statement on the convention website (letfreedomsingfestival.org). “In presidential election seasons, I — like most Americans — grow weary of partisan politics dividing us as a country. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to showcase choral music and its extraordinary ability to — quite literally — unite all 50 states.”
