SFGC to perform at the inaguration ceremony on January 20, 2009

Dear friends and family of the San Francisco Girls Chorus,

It is my honor and privilege to share with you a milestone in the 30-year history of the San Francisco Girls Chorus. The 43 young women of the Chorus have been invited, jointly with the San Francisco Boys Chorus, to perform in President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2009. A copy of the official press announcement is included below.

Knowing that our girls have been chosen to represent the youth of San Francisco, and knowing that they will witness such a momentous occasion firsthand, adds to the festive holiday spirit overflowing the offices and rehearsal rooms of the Chorus. Our singers have been offered an opportunity to honor our new President, and perform before a worldwide television audience – an experience which will have global consequences and a deep impact on the lives of these young women.

Now more than ever, the San Francisco Girls Chorus needs your support to make possible this historic performance at the 56th Presidential Inauguration. If your family, friends, or peers would like to make a charitable donation to the 2009 Inaugural Tour Fund, please contact Maria at mcatoline@sfgirlschorus.org or 415.863.1752, x.306. Your support will enable the young women of SFGC to perform during an unprecedented moment in U.S. history, to bring global attention to an art form that they are passionate about, and to show the world the best of San Francisco’s youth and arts community.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, and have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Sincerely,
Melanie Smith
Executive Director
(415) 863-1752 ext. 305
msmith@sfgirlschorus.org

MEDIA CONTACT FOR BOTH THE SF BOYS CHORUS AND SF GIRLS CHORUS:
Scott Horton Communications
510-735-9200

FOR RELEASE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2008
US PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION JAN. 20 TO FEATURE

Two Exemplary Music Organizations Chosen by Congressional Committee to Represent US Arts and Youth at the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington DC

San Francisco, CA, December 9, 2008 – Two of the nation’s top choral music groups—the San Francisco Boys Chorus, Ian Robertson, Artistic Director; and the San Francisco Girls Chorus, Susan McMane, Artistic Director—have been invited by Senator Dianne Feinstein and the joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies for President Barack Obama to perform as part of the swearing in ceremonies scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2009, in Washington, DC. The two choruses were selected for their high level of artistic excellence, embodiment of the American spirit and promise for the future, according to Sen. Feinstein. A combined chorus of 86 (43 members of the San Francisco Boys Chorus and 43 of the San Francisco Girls Chorus) will travel to Washington to perform. (EDITOR NOTE: The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus are two separate and distinct organizations; please do not combine their titles. More information: San Francisco Boys Chorus www.sfbc.organd San Francisco Girls Choruswww.sfgirlschorus.org.

“I am pleased that the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus have accepted the invitation to perform at the 2009 inaugural ceremonies,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

“These two organizations provide musical training to hundreds of boys and girls every year, and have delighted audiences around the world. As a San Franciscan, I am particularly proud that these talented young people will have the opportunity to lend their voices to this historic event.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said: “The Inauguration will bring some of the most talented young people from across the country to our nation’s capital, including members of the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus. It is wonderful that San Francisco’s efforts to foster young, artistic talent are being recognized on a national stage.

“I am so proud that these incredibly gifted young San Franciscans will contribute to the magnificence of the historic swearing in ceremony of President-elect Obama. This is appropriate, because the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus embody the American hope and optimism that the inauguration of a new President represents.”

Ian Robertson, Artistic Director of the San Francisco Boys Chorus and Susan McMane, Artistic Director of the San Francisco Girls Chorus, said: “This is the highest honor we could imagine. The impacts of our two organizations travel far beyond the concert stage—we are active agents for positive community change, youth empowerment and education. Performing for President Obama’s inauguration focuses a major spotlight on the power of music and the arts to affect positive change in our country and the world and places the arts at their rightful place at the epicenter of American civic and cultural life.”

About the San Francisco Boys Chorus

The Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Boys Chorus (SFBC) was founded by Gaetano Merola and Madi Bacon in 1948 to provide trained boy singers for the San Francisco Opera, and is today led by Artistic Director, Ian Robertson who also serves as Chorus Director for the San Francisco Opera. The San Francisco Boys Chorus is regarded as a leading music organization that provides transformational life experiences for boys age 5 to 18 through education, performances, and international tours. Over 200 singers receive world-class music education at three training sites in the Bay Area, and the San Francisco Boys Chorus appears at numerous civic engagements. New chorister auditions will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2009. For information, please e-mail contact@sfbc.org.

About the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Celebrating 30 years of extraordinary music with its 2008-2009 season, the three-time Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Girls Chorus is recognized as one of the world’s most respected vocal ensembles. Its level of training, performance, quality and range, passion and leadership in commissioning music for treble voices are lauded by musicians, critics and audiences. Founded in 1978, the San Francisco Girls Chorus has become a regional center for choral music education and performance for girls and young women ages 7-18. More than 300 singers from 160 schools in 44 Bay Area cities participate in this internationally recognized program. Auditions for the San Francisco Girls Chorus School are slated January 10, 2009, contact 415-863-1752.

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Please direct all media inquiries about the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus to Scott Horton, 510-735-9200 bluescott260@hotmail.com