Willamette Valley LGBT(QIA2S+) Chorus
Confluence FAQs
Here are some answers to the most asked questions we get! If you have a question that hasn't been answered here, by all means fill out our Contact Form and someone will reach out to you!
Q: Why is it Confluence LGBT Chorus? Why is the QIA2S+ in parentheses?
Confluence Chorus was established in 2000 and our name was representative of the LGBT acronym of the time period. Since it would be a large undertaking to update our name in the non-profit registry, we simply added the rest of the acronym as it is presented today in parentheses so we could honor those identities while preserving our registered name.
Q: I identify as straight and/or cisgender. Can I be in the chorus?
Absolutely! All adults 18 and up who love to sing and support our mission are welcomed to join, no matter how they identify!
Q: Do I have to audition to be in Confluence?
You do NOT have to audition to join Confluence! All adults (18+) who love to sing and can match pitch are welcome to join.
Don’t worry if you’ve never sung before, don't know how to read music, or don’t know what kind of musical skill you have. There are many members who will help you along the way and our Artistic Director has the ability to bring out the talents and skills of even novice singers.
Q: Is there a cost to sing with Confluence?
Yes in order to be a singing member with Confluence, we collect dues each term.
Dues help cover the cost of music, rehearsal and performance space, salaries for our Artistic Director and Accompanist, production costs, etc. The payment of dues gives members all rights of membership, including use of music, access to all rehearsals and supports, a Confluence T-shirt, access to Chorus Connection (chorus management software and communication tool), our bi-weekly members newsletter, a vote at our annual membership meeting, etc. Most importantly, membership gives you access to a warm, welcoming, musical community where you can be who you are without judgment! .
Q: How much are dues? What if I can't afford that?
Our dues are $100 per term. This can be paid annually ($300), at the beginning of each term ($100 in September, January and April), or in even smaller monthly payments.
Not to worry if you can't afford dues! We also offer scholarships/financial assistance for those who need them. We do not turn anyone away for lack of funds!
Q: What is the time commitment of Confluence?
We rehearse on Sundays in the late afternoon from September to June, with a few weeks break after each concert weekend.
Confluence generally has 3 "terms" throughout the year. Our fall/winter term generally starts around mid-September and concludes with our winter concert in early-December. Term 2 starts around early January and wraps up in early to mid-March and Term 3 starts around April and concludes in June. Confluence also has opportunities to perform throughout the year at various Pride and other community events as well! ​
Q: What kind of music do you sing?
Confluence's music programming and theming is selected by our Artistic Director.
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We sing a wide array of music ranging from pop, jazz, & musical theatre to classical choral literature. While we learn a lot of new music throughout the year, we also have a vast library of standard songs in our set list that we continue to perform throughout the years.
Q: How do sections work?
Instead of the traditional vocal sections which have become heavily associated with gender rather than vocal range - soprano, alto, tenor, bass – we refer to our sections as 1, 2, 3, and 4, with 1 the highest, and 4 being the lowest voices.
Upon entry to Confluence, each singer is “voiced” by our Artistic Director to determine their section, based on voice range, needs of the chorus, and comfort of the singer. Each of the four sections may be divided into a high or low sub-section, depending on the needs of the music.
Each section has a Section Leader who takes attendance, organizes section rehearsals, and facilitates communication between the section members and the Artistic Director.
Q: When do I join?!
New singing members may join during the first two weeks of rehearsal each term which generally occur in mid September, early January and early April.
Volunteers and non-singing support members are encouraged to join any time throughout the year! If you're interested in singing or volunteering, click here and reach out to us!
Q: I don't really want to sing....can I still be a part of Confluence?
Absolutely! Confluence has many non-singing “support” members who assist the chorus behind the scenes. These members support the chorus by assisting in fund raising, ticket sales and the many important aspects of concert preparation and production. Many spouses & family members of singers enjoy being involved in this way!
Q: What is GALA?
Confluence is a member of GALA , an international association of LGBTQ+ choruses. More than 15,000 singers and nearly 200 LGBTQ+ choruses in North America and beyond make up GALA Choruses!
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GALA Choruses signature event is their quadrennial Festival, which gathers LGBTQ+ choruses from all over North America and the world. Festival is five days of singing, connecting, and creating with wall-to-wall concerts, workshops, social events, joy and pride. It’s the largest LGBTQ choral event in the world.
We have been to GALA festivals in Montreal, Miami, Denver, and most recently Minneapolis with plans to attend again in 2028!
Whether you decide to become a singing member or a support member of Confluence,
we appreciate your loyalty and dedication to our mission. Welcome!