The Southern Arizona Women’s Chorus plans to make history this summer at celebrations in France commemorating a historic event 72 years ago: the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
“We are very excited and feel so honored to be given this opportunity to perform for veterans and the people of France. We hope to make it known here in Tucson and across the country and world that we are supporting veterans through what we are doing. And beyond going to perform, I hope that we are able to do even more for the community through the publicity that we receive,” said Terrie Ashbaugh, artistic and executive director of the chorus.
Founded about 30 years ago, the 75-member choir aspires to be “the premiere women’s chorus of Southern Arizona.” Members range in age from 25 to 95 and include students and homemakers as well as teachers, doctors and other professionals.
The chorus provides an opportunity for people from all walks of life to create together, according to member Jane Hamilton, who also serves on the board of directors.
“More people participate in the art of choral music than any other type of art. You don’t need to own an instrument or have expensive music and you don’t need to go anywhere special to do it: All you need is your voice. The chorus brings people together and helps them feel good while sharing art and culture with those of all ages,” said Hamilton.
The group prides itself on a diverse musical repertoire that encompasses classical, Broadway medleys, spiritual and gospel, folksongs and jazz.
As a cornerstone to its dedication to the arts and music education in Tucson, the chorus has collaborated with area musical groups such as the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, Sons of Orpheus Male Choir of Tucson, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and Arizona Symphonic Winds.
It has sponsored guest artists such as Kirby Shaw, a world-famous jazz composer, and Rollo Dilworth, professor of music and director of choral activities and music education at the North Park University School of Music in Chicago. Accolades also include a performance at Carnegie Hall with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, a performance with Con Brio Women’s Ensemble from Seattle and performances at nationwide musical festivals, local holiday special events and community celebrations.
“We have very high-quality music. Each of our concerts is more of an experience than a concert. One year we had 90 singers performing with 28 steel drums, which is a combination that you never hear anywhere. We are innovative in our performances, and that is part of why we have earned the reputation that we have,” Ashbaugh said.
The chorus is eager to share its art, culture and patriotism during the trip to France, where Ashbaugh said it is the sole chorus chosen to represent the United States during the official D-Day commemorative services from June 2-10.
Performances will include a musical salute to veterans at the D-Day Memorial Parade at Sainte-Mère-Église, the first French village to be liberated by American soldiers, as well as wreath-laying ceremonies at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-James, Normandy, and at the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. The chorus will also perform a concert at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.
The performances will feature three parts: patriotic music, such as “Let Freedom Ring” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic;” memorial music, including “Set Me as a Seal,” “Ubi Caritas” and “Prayer of the Children;” and music popular during the 1940s, such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Sentimental Journey” and a medley of hits by Irving Berlin.
The performance can be previewed locally through several fundraisers staged by the chorus in the coming months. Hamilton said the unique events “will honor veterans who fought and those who gave up their lives in World War II so that the world would remain free” while raising funds to support the cost of travel for chorus members who otherwise might not be able to make the trip.
Donations can also be made through a GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/sawcdday or through the organization’s website at www.southernarizonawomenschorus.org.
“We want Tucson to know that we are sending representatives from all over Southern Arizona for the whole world to hear. This is a representation of women from all over the region and not everyone can afford the expenses. Many of us are footing the bill ourselves and we are trying to raise funds so that those who don’t have the funds can go,” said Hamilton.
Overall, the group views this as a unique opportunity to honor veterans while establishing meaningful connections locally and throughout the world.
