Willamette Valley LGBT Chorus
Who We Are ...
CONFLUENCE: Willamette Valley LGBT Chorus was established in the Fall of 2000 to provide a peaceful statement of unification for people with a range of sexual expressions and gender identities.
Confluence is a non-auditioned community chorus committed to building bridges and honoring diversity through affirming the lives of the LGBTQ+ and straight people in its music and community activities.
We are an eclectic group of people who come together to celebrate and honor diversity through music. Our members live throughout the Willamette Valley, currently ranging from Eugene to Portland. Since 2000, we have been meeting every Sunday afternoon to rehearse and enjoy each other's company, growing from the original sixteen singers to our current fifty or so. Members put in many hours of rehearsal and practice time for each concert, with the goal of creating high-quality music without being stuffy.
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As an LGBT chorus, we strive to celebrate and affirm the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Anyone who can match pitch can sing with us. And you don't have to be part of the LGBT "alphabet" to participate - just be an ally who believes in our message and purpose. So consider becoming part of our Confluence family as a singer, a volunteer, or a financial supporter!
Our Artistic Director ...
Oregon native Raymond Elliott is the founding Artistic Director of Confluence. Raymond's goals are to encourage people of all ages to express themselves through music, develop their skills and self-esteem, and discover the joy of musical expression. An active arranger of choral music, Raymond fosters a soulful rhythmic style that resonates with singers and audiences alike.
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In addition to his work with Confluence, Raymond is the Director of Music Ministries at Ainsworth United Church of Christ, a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Unitarian Universalist Musician Network, and the United Church of Christ Musicians Association. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Portland State University and a Master of Conducting from University of Oregon.
Our Accompanist ...
Ingrid is a native Oregonian, originally from the Eugene area now living in Hillsboro. She recently retired from accompanying the choir and playing for the congregation at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillsboro, Oregon. She has been active in music and theater (as accompanist and vocalist) in various venues around the Portland and Vancouver metropolitan areas and has accompanied numerous musical theatre productions, the last of which was “Rent”.
She has recently retired after 32 years of employment at Pacific University in the Enrollment Management/Student Affairs area. During her time at Pacific she has accompanied many students, musical productions, Music in May and also was the accompanist for Pacific University’s Choral Union for 10 years.
In her spare time, she enjoys attending live ballet and musical concerts as well as going to movies, traveling (especially road trips), knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching gifts for family and friends.