DES MOINES DIVERSITY CHORUS | ABOUT THE CHORUS

JULIE MURPHY .|. DIRECTOR

The Des Moines Diversity Chorus is a one-of-a-kind choral group in the greater Des Moines area, focused on encouraging respect and appreciation for people through music. The Chorus was organized in June 1997, and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, receiving support and funding from a variety of individuals, grants, corporate gifts, and other sources.

The Chorus is committed to exploring and embracing the many facets of the diverse community in which we live. Our music reflects the traditions of Iowa's ethnic and cultural groups, and our concerts often present music in two or three languages in addition to English. By welcoming all singers, sharing its wide variety of music, and inviting other groups and artists to be a part of its concerts, the Chorus gives visibility and voice to performers of varied national, ethnic, racial, religious, and sexuality backgrounds who otherwise might not be heard.

Appearances for the Des Moines Diversity Chorus have included January Thaw classes and Festival of Talents (both sponsored by the Des Moines Area Religious Council); Singing Together Sunday–First Unitarian Church; Interfaith Holocaust Memorial Service; NCCJ (National Conference on Community and Justice) walk-a-thon; and fall and late winter concerts in collaboration with the Urbandale Middle School music department and K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) program; the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the UN Declaration of Human Rights; Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Observance, among other community appearances.

The Chorus encourages others to join them. If you are interested in learning more about the Chorus or are interested in singing, contact Julie Murphy at jahmurphy@hotmail.com or call her at 515-255-3576.

CHORUS MEMBERS

Director: Julie Murphy

Soprano: Polly Antonelli, Rita Carter, Kerrie Hill-Elliott, Mikel Johnson, Sandie Nelson, Beverly West, Henrietta Klarenbeek, PJ Koehler, Libby Zaletel, Barb Kreinbring

Alto: Nancy Anderson, Margaret Christian, Claire Cumbie-Drake, Janet Hanusa, Pat Rehder, Dawn Underwood, Denise Schirer, Laurie Jones

Tenor: Brian Carter, David E. Drake, Denny Rehder, Michael Sinklier

Bass: David M. Annis, Howard Eldrenkamp, Fred Nelson, George Hanusa, Russ Possehn, Bob Railey, Earl Rozeboom

Accompanist: Patty Bellus

The Des Moines Diversity Chorus was organized in June 1997, and is committed to exploring and embracing the many facets of the diverse community in which we live. Our motto is: "Unity of Heart, Diversity by Design". The Chorus seeks to promote peace and justice among all people. Our music reflects the traditions of a variety of ethnic and cultural groups. We invite other cultural and ethnic groups and individuals to be a part of our concerts, and our chorus, to give visibility and voice to performers of varied national, ethnic, racial, religious, age, ability and sexuality backgrounds.

GUEST ARTISTS

Our guests in the past ten years have included: Father Felix Onuora (Nigerian priest serving St. Ambrose Cathedral), Iowa Church of God in Christ State Choir (African-American gospel group), the Dimitri String Quartet (Valley High School Musicians), Las Guitarras de Mexico, the Nuer Drumming Group (Sudanese), Zoran Markovic (Bosnia guitarist), the Red Tale Band (Native American), Cantor Lisa Levine, pianist Lidia Titarenko (ESL student from the Ukraine), Cantorial soloist Laura Berkson, the Gateway Dance Theater, Knotwork Band (Irish), Brothers in Harmony from St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal Church, Inpanh Thavonekham (Laotian musician and instrument maker), the Party Gras Dixieland Band, Denny Rehder, the Blue Grass Pals, Des Moines vocalists Tim Tate and Tina Haase Findlay, Border Lord, South African tenor Highway Sigadi, Native American flute player Bryan Akipa, New Visions Dance Troupe (Special needs students), Mary Chuol (Sudanese), and Des Moines composer and vocalist Ben Allaway.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | JULIE MURPHY

Julie has music degrees from Drake University and the University of Iowa. Her vocal conducting experience includes choirs at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Gary United Methodist Church, and First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois. She is a founding member of Opus 3 woodwind trio and also performs with the Arcadia Wind Quintet, Des Moines Municipal Band and the Westminster Fine Arts Orchestra, choir and bell choir. She is also involved with Habitat for Humanity and the Des Moines' Presbytery's mission in El Salvador. By day, Julie works as a paralegal for Principal Financial Group.

CHORUS BOARD MEMBERS

Julie Murphy, Artistic Director

David M. Annis, President ...Nancy Anderson, Treasurer

Mikel Johnson, Jeff Couch | Members at Large

POSTERS ABOVE: Spring 2005, Fall 2005, Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Fall 2007

Designer: David M. Annis

BELOW: Photographs from ten years of Diversity Chorus music and fun!

^ Left to Right: Chorus banner, Featured dance at a concert, Singers rehearse

^ Left to Right: Rehearsal before a concert, Fun at a chorus picnic, ESL students sing

^ Left to Right: Bosnian students assist the chorus, ESL students sing in concert, Women of the chorus rehearse,

^ Left to Right: Chorus performs at a special concert, Singers prepare for a concert

^ Left to Right: Men of the chorus in rehearsal, Chorus members in logo T-shirts