Email: info@grwc.org
Artistic Director
Since the beginning, Lori Tennenhouse has directed, nurtured, and inspired the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus. The
following is an interview with Lori by Janet Thering, also an original member of the Chorus.
Why did you form the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus?
I wanted to explore a repertoire by women composers and arrangers. I also wanted to sing non-sacred (secular) music that reflected social justice themes. Originally we had no intention of performing.
What has surprised you about your experience with the GRWC?
I am always surprised that people with a music background find me a good director. My techniques are unconventional and I am not opposed to winging it. I am surprised at what a good sound we produce with only two hours of weekly rehearsals added to the fact that about 50 per cent of our members do not read music and have had no training in choral music.I am also surprised by people’s desires and motivation in the Chorus; that they are willing to take the time to learn the music and languages with all of their other commitments to families, jobs, and the community.
How has the GRWC affected you as a person?
It has made me realize that you can become what you visualize. If you think of yourself as a choral director - you're a choral director. It's very empowering. It's all about desire, a powerful desire, and it's about what is real to you.
What do you look for in your selection of music?
Music for mature women's voices, written in four parts, that challenges the lower as well as the higher voices. This is difficult to find because a lot of the music in our range is written in two or three parts for children in Youth or Treble Choirs. Our Music Committee looks for music from other cultures that has poetic value. We look for music that is meaningful to women such as the Breast Cancer Oratorio “Where I Live.”
How has the GRWC changed over ten years?
We have developed a dedicated core of members with a board of directors, non-profit status, and an organized structure that is committee-based. We are very much a member-sustained organization. In the beginning, I found the music, made the posters, rented the venue, called the radio stations. Now I have lots of help! I think the GRWC itself has become an important social group to its members with new people coming and going and old members returning… some staying, some revolving through. We have developed a larger, loyal audience that has come to expect a certain energy and emotion from us. We now have a core commitment to commissioning work which seemed impossible when we started.
What were some of your earliest musical influence and memories?
Growing up I loved folk, blues, and soul music … The Staple Singers, Stevie Wonder, The Fifth Dimension, Laura Nero, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell ... I'm from Detroit, and Motown Music was always playing on the radio. My brother was into jazz and took me to jazz clubs when I was 11 or 12. I played flute in the high school band and picked up the String Bass during my senior year so I could play in the orchestra. I also played guitar, wrote songs, and performed in school and community theatre. Later in life I played with the New England Women's String Symphony in Boston, rock and roll bands in Ann Arbor, and several rock and jazz bands in Grand Rapids.
Is there a point while directing when the music transcends you?
The experience of standing in front of people who are making beautiful sounds is transforming. Performing at concerts the women have so much energy. People are so tuned in, ready to respond, and open to creating this group experience. It is electrifying to me and very addicting! It keeps me motivated.
What is next for you and the GRWC?
I would like to do more collaborating--with other choruses, with writers, with visual artists. I'd like to increase community involvement and do music that has an impact on community issues. I’d like to continue to expand the library of repertoire for women choruses by commissioning new works.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Yes. I hope the Chorus continues to enrich and touch lives in as much a positive way as it has mine.
Lori Tennenhouse, founding artistic director of the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus was selected to receive the YWCA “Tribute!” award in the Arts category for 2006. “Award honorees from West Central Michigan are selected for their contributions and leadership in 7 categories including: Advocacy, Arts, Business (Business Management, Industry and Labor), Community Service, Professions, Sports (Sports, Fitness and Wellness),and Student Leadership (Judy Lloyd Leadership Award). Honorees must have vision, demonstrate leadership, impact the community, and be committed to values supporting the YWCA’s mission to “empower women, promote diversity, and advocate for justice and equality”.
It seems fitting recognition for Lori who founded the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus in 1996 and has served as its artistic director since its inception. Under her leadership, the GRWC became a 501 (c)3 organization in 1998. From a founding membership of 11 singers the group celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2006 with over 40 singers and 20 very dedicated volunteers.
Under Lori’s leadership the chorus has written grants and obtained funding for various community projects. Over the past 10 years the community has enjoyed the multicultural experience of the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus’s performances. A growing audience is often struck by the messages of social justice and cultural diversity when the chorus introduces and performs songs in native languages from around the globe.
Lori has even arranged songs for the GRWC. The 2006-2007 premiere of an Iraqi "Peace Song" with Arabic lyrics is just one example. Many of these songs have become available for other artists and performers.
Lori has managed the process for the chorus to obtain funding for 5 new pieces of music through her commissioning expertise, and the Chorus has 3 CD's available for sale to the the public, including the complete concert of the oratorio "Where I Live", performed in 2002 by the Chorus as a fund-raising concert for breast cancer awareness. Also under Lori's leadership, the GRWC is collaborating with Women's Chorus of Boulder for a new commissioning by Marjan Helms.
As the founder and leader of the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus, Lori brought to Grand Rapids a vision that became reality and our community now has an organization that is dedicated to performing culturally diverse music that promotes appreciation of women composers and arrangers. Under Lori’s direction, the chorus has grown to include women of varied ages, social backgrounds, political interests, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and musical experience, who come together once a week to find meaningful expression through music. In addition to teaching musical skills to women in our community, the chorus experience also provides opportunities for its members, audience and volunteers to learn about other cultures.
On November 14, 2006, Lori’s name was added to an impressive list of talented women recognized for “excelling in the performance, service or teaching of creative arts” in our community. Lori's achievements have earned her this well deserved recognition.