Uhuru: Sing of Freedom this Fall with Vashon's Free Range Folk Choir

Come sing with the Free Range Folk Choir this Fall Season, starting Monday, Sept. 19th, 2016. The choir will rehearse in the Vashon High School band room (see map) on Monday nights from 7-8:30 pm. (Registration begins at 6:45 pm on Sept. 19th.)

This season brings a world premier of a new choral work based on the legendary singer and drummer Babatunde Olatunji's "Uhuru". Anthems from the anti-apartheid movement, old school gospel music, rounds for peace, and songs to nourish love and joy are also on the menu for the season.

Choir members will have access to the Members Only section of the website, which allows singers to listen to and download tutorial recordings for all the song's vocal parts, as well as videos of many of the pieces we will sing this season.  Members are also able to share announcements with other choir members via the announcement board.

Fall season meets for nine weekly sessions from September until mid November. Please visit our schedule page for more details on the rehearsal schedule and upcoming concerts.

Under the direction of Shane Jewell, the choir celebrates the ways that music from around the world can lift the spirit and cultivate community. Feel free to come join us! Invite your friends and neighbors. No auditions necessary to join; everyone is welcome. 

The Sound of Summer Concert, Saturday, June 4th, 7pm VHS Theater

 

Alan Berner/The Seattle Times

Celebrate the start of summer at the FRFC Summer Concert, Saturday, June 4th, 7:00pm at the Vashon High School Theater (9600 SW 204th St). 

This is your chance to hear the show that audiences say has moved them to tears, and left them dancing: One Voice (Wailin Jennys), Ella's Song (Sweet Honey in the Rock), And When I Rise (newly composed work), as well as arrangements of award winning singer/songwriter Kat Eggleston's "Rain" and "Africa".

Alan Berner/The Seattle Times

The evening also includes profound music with roots in the civil rights movement, South Africa, Old England and Palestine. Performed by local singers you know and love, the evening is supported by local legends Steve Meyer (upright bass) and Gordy Ryan (percussion).

Suggested donation is $5-10. No one turned away for lack of funds ~ All are welcome.

This is a night you won't want to miss: we hope to see you there!
Free Range Folk Choir, Vashon Island

Vashon Community Choir in the Seattle Times

Free Range Folk Choir had the pleasure of singing at the grand opening for the new Vashon Center for the Arts last month, and was pictured in the Seattle Times by award winning photographer Alan Berner. 

Click photos to view large version:

1. Arm raised, Shane Jewell leads the Free Range Folk Choir of Vashon Island, 65 members strong, as they finish the first song performed on the stage of the new Vashon Center for the Arts’ Katherine L. White Hall at its grand opening Saturday. The project — realized after $20 million was raised — houses a 300-seat auditorium, plus conference room and gallery space, with sculptures out front. Reflections in the foreground are on the stage’s grand piano. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

2. Shane Jewell, leader of the Free Range Folk Choir, acknowledges applause from the audience at Saturday’s grand opening of the Vashon Center for the Arts. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

3. Julie Celleri hugs cousin Dylan Morgan as people gather for the grand opening. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times) 










And below is the event filmed by the Voice of Vashon.  The beginning is silent, then the choir begins.  Also, catch the tail end of our island community choir singing on the main stage about 50 minutes into the video after a tour of the space: