Maybelle Community Singers collaborated with the Oregon Symphony and other non-profits last year to perform the world premiere of “emergency shelter intake form.”
The Oregon Symphony commissioned composer and singer-songwriter, Gabriel Kahane, to compose a piece exploring the need for a home. And because housing insecurity is intimately familiar to many of our members, the Maybelle Community Singers were a natural fit to collaborate on the project.
In the initial stages of the collaboration, members shared their lived experiences of houselessness with composer, Gabriel Kahane. Reading through the final composition, you can hear the rawness of the stories reflected in his lyrics.
The Maybelle Community Singers welcomed members, staff, and volunteers from five partner organizations (Central City Concern, Rahab’s Sisters, Sisters of the Road, Transition Projects, and Union Gospel Mission) to collaborate on the project.
Days before the performances at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, over 60 choir members squeezed into our volunteer area to rehearse with Oregon Symphony conductor Carlos Kalmar, and composer Gabriel Kahane.
The collaboration received a standing ovation at all three performances, May 12-14, 2018. Three months after the initial collaboration, the choir was invited back for a live recording of the special piece.
Wow! I showed up to this community. I showed up to this choir and look what happened. Look what can happen when I use my voice. Look what can happen when I come together in community, opportunities like this. We did that.
– Choir member, in response to the Oregon Symphony partnership
Because it received such a warm reception, “emergency shelter intake form” has now been performed by other orchestras across the country, and the Oregon Symphony has named Gabriel Kahane as their new Creative Chair through 2022.
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Maybelle Community Singers embrace with excitement and joy after the rehearsal with Carlos Kalmar & Gabriel Kahane. 
Maybelle Community Singers at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. For many of our members, their first time inside the “Schnitz” was on-stage with the Oregon Symphony. 
KATU films Maybelle Community Singers’ rehearsal with Oregon Symphony Conductor, Carlos Kalmar, and composer, Gabriel Kahane.
Articles you may like: We asked our choir members what they learned through the Oregon Symphony collaboration.
Originally published in our 2018 Annual Report.
