TURTLE CREEK CHORALE BRINGING “FRIENDSHIP TOUR” TO TULSA, LITTLE ROCK, SHREVEPORT AND TYLER.

Renowned Chorus to Take Musical Message of Unity and Healing via Free Concerts

To Neighboring States

DALLAS, TX – Wednesday, August 30, 2017

“Music has the affirming power to build bridges,” says Turtle Creek Chorale Artistic Director Sean Baugh.

June 21-24, 2018, the Turtle Creek Chorale will take that positive message via music on a four-day ”Friendship Tour” of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.  Free concerts hosted by church congregations will be offered in Tulsa (June 21), Little Rock (June 22-23), Shreveport (June 23) and Tyler (June 24). Local choirs and choral organizations will also join the Chorale in each city.

“This special tour is a wonderful opportunity for the 150 men of the Turtle Creek Chorale to share positive stories in song,” adds Baugh.  “Though communities on this tour may hold social and political views different from ours, we often share much more than we acknowledge. The best way to bridge those differences is with conversation and shared experiences.  We hope this tour does just that by sharing musical experiences these communities may not have previously known via a huge chorus of primarily gay men singing about peace, acceptance, love and community.”

The tour will kick off with a special concert on June 16 hosted by Temple Shalom in Dallas.  

“The mission of the Turtle Creek Chorale is to change lives through music, enhancing the cultural experience of both audience and singers,” say the Chorale’s Executive Director Bruce Jaster.  “We all can share the appreciation and beauty of music and its positive message. This tour purposely selected communities that are home to some of the Chorale’s singing members. We have personal connections and look forward to singing for our friends and families.”

Featured on this tour will be a new song-cycle titled “Peacemakers”.  This 30-minute work by lyricist Tony Sylvestri and composers Andrea Ramsey, Gerald Gruss, and James Eakin and others has been commissioned by the Chorale and several other choruses.  The new composition speaks of creating peace through courage by addressing issues involving political turmoil, religious intolerance, fear of strangers, immigration and coming to the defense of others.

To support this meaningful series of concerts, and to make it possible for all members of the Chorale to participate, a major fundraising effort is underway.  Contributions can be made directly to this tour at www.turtlecreekchorale.com/friendship-tour.

The Friendship Tour Kick-Off Concert at Temple Shalom is on June 16 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25-General Admission, $50-Preferred Seating and $100-VIP. A special reception featuring soloists from the Turtle Creek Chorale will begin at 6:30 PM prior to the concert for VIP ticket holders. Purchase tickets to the Kick-Off Concert at www.turtlecreekchorale.com/friendship-tour or by calling 214-526-3214.

The Turtle Creek Chorale's performances in Tulsa, Little Rock, Shreveport and Tyler are free to the public but online reservation of a general admission seat is encouraged.  Tickets can be reserved at www.turtlecreekchorale.com/friendship-tour or by calling 214.526.3214.