Since 1993, the women of Calliope Women’s Chorus have gathered for one purpose: to sing beautiful, powerful music. On Monday, the group will hold open auditions for those interested in joining.
The group, currently at 30 members, has been assembling in the basement of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 69 Mill St. for the past 18 years. Ranging in age from 14 to 70, the women use music to affirm their feminist ideals.
Heather Cantino, a 10-year member of the steering committee, describes the try-out as a “very gentle, non-threatening audition” process.
The choir learns the music together, standing as a strong feminist group. As long as individuals can match pitch, they are immediately welcomed into a “transformative experience,” singing lyrics that voice women’s joys and struggles that can’t ordinarily be spoken.
This inclusive and diverse group cares about not only one another, but also common issues of all women. All are welcome to try Calliope for a non-committal four-week visitor period.
Calliope’s goal is to help women find and discover their voice, not only musically but within society as well.
“We sing about issues we care about but we also like to laugh and have fun together,” Cantino said. “We enjoy singing humorous and fun songs and old familiar songs like Over the Rainbow, a hit at our concert last year.”
Calliope performs one full concert a year during the spring, with several smaller performances at community events from September through the beginning of May.
Last year, their performances included events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the opening of the Women’s Center, Take Back the Night and International Women’s Day at Baker University Center.
Nancy Pierce, the director of Calliope, said the next performance lined up is a community event in Amesville in November. Calliope’s season concludes next year in May.
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