Mixed gay and lesbian chorus hosts two performances this weekend

Oursong gets in tune with nature

What do you get when you combine Adele, ‘Ave Maria,’ and the brightly colored plastic percussion pipes known as Boomwhackers? “And Nature Smiled,” the new concert from OurSong, Atlanta’s gay and lesbian chorus.

Set for June 8-9 at venues in Atlanta and Morrow, the show unites a variety of musical styles and composers under the common theme of nature. Tickets are $20 for the shows at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church and Clayton State University.

“There is so much incredible poetry and imagery in nature, we wanted to explore that poetry and experience,” says Robert Glor, OurSong artistic director.

The chorus worked with three composers — Rosephanye Powell, David Childs and David Dickau — to create original pieces based on poetry and the theme of nature. The concert will also include more familiar pieces including Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” Huddie Ledbetter’s “Bring Me Little Water Silvie,” and even “Ave Maria.”

“Performing a wide variety of great music is important to us and to creating an interesting evening for our listeners,” Glor says. “Our theme of nature also ties the music genres together.”

OurSong is now in its 10th season and has been selected to perform at the Georgia American Choral Directors Association meeting in June. Other plans for this year include traveling to Denver for the Gay & Lesbian Association of Choruses Festival, hosting a gospel brunch fundraiser later in the summer, and auditioning new members in August.

OurSong: ‘And Nature Smiled’
• Friday, June 8, 8 p.m.
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
1790 Lavista Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
• Saturday, June 9, 8:15 p.m.
Spivey Hall, Clayton State University
2000 Clayton State Blvd.
Morrow, GA 30260
www.oursongatlanta.com