Years and Notes in the History of the Rainbow Harmony Project:
a symphony in time
with dark movements and joyous passages
compiled by Keith Fulton (Draft, 02/14-09)
Jeff Stafflund was at a Table on Pride Day, June 20, 1999, to publicize the formation of a glbt choir. Sally signed up. Did you?
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. INTERESTED IN SINGING? Plans for a new gay and lesbian chorus are underway for the fall. Community oriented. [ie. You don’t have to be Pavarotti.] Weekly rehearsals. Location to be announced. Membership dues to cover costs. For more info, contact Jeff at 237-9743, Alan at 257-3549 or Marian at 896-7869 (Swerve. July 1999. Queer Calendar, 13).
Season #1: 1999-2000
Scott Naugler, Director
Alan Blanchette, Associate Director
Rob Lindey, Accompanist
Norwood United Church, Wednesday evenings
Board of Directors: Joe Stephanson, Paul Sherwood, Rob Lindey, Lisa Galloway, Suzanne Jacques, Kathy Miller, Scott Naugler, Joe Savage
September got started with 60 people showing up for first meeting.
World AIDS Day. Organized by The Manitoba Interfaith LBGTCollective (Chutzpah, Dignity Winnipeg, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, The United Church of Canada Rainbow Ministry and others). Broadway Disciples United Church. Dec 1, 1999.
Holiday Song Fest. Norwood United Church.
Pink Triangle Sunday, Unitarian Church, Cafeteria of Grant Park High School, Alan Blanchette direction, Rob Lindey accompanist
Cantata. St. Benedict’s Retreat and Conference Centre. RHP performed in this annual fundraising concert to support Heartsong, the free retreat for people living with HIV and their caregivers. “Be Fabulous Wherever You Are” was dedicated to Marc Hall in Oshawa who had that day won a court ruling that he could legally attend a school prom together with his boyfriend. “Hold Strong Together,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Turn the World Around.” May 10, 2002.
Service: Norwood United Church. May 28, 2000.
Beginnings with Bridge City Chorus (Saskatoon) and Prairie Pride Chorus (Regina). Walker Theatre. Audience of 900 opened concert with standing ovation. May 20, 2000.
Gay Pride 2000. The Big Red Truck Float and the First Prize!
Season #2: 2000-2001
Scott Naugler, Director
Rob Lindey, Accompanist
Alan Blanchette
Stephen Cocks
Norwood United Church, Wednesday evenings
Board of Directors: Marion Hijkoop, Rob Bowes, Paul Sherwood, Rob Lindey, Joe Savage, Lisa Galloway, Scott Naugler, Joe Stephanson, Suzanne Jacques, Kathy Miller, Ryan Schultz.
World AIDS Day Service. Broadway Disciples United Church. December 1, 2000.
Holiday song fest. Norwood United Church
McPhilips Street Station, Christmas Carols at Chapters.
Social: Midwinter Night’s Dream
Pink Triangle Sunday, Augustine United Church. February 11, 2001.
Pink Triangle Sunday, First Unitarian Church. February 18, 2001.
Kali Shiva Benefit at Gas Station Theatre. February 24-5, 2001.
Social: Spring Prom As It Never Was. Glendell Park Community Centre. April 14, 2001.
Service: Regent’s Park United Church. April 22, 2001.
Service: Norwood United Church. May 13, 2001.
Music Speaks Louder Than Words: Prairie Pride Chorus, Regina, with Winnipeg’s Rainbow Harmony Project. Regina. May 19, 2001. (First time listing of TRHP members)
With One Voice: Rainbow Harmony Project. Guest Jeff Staflund. Walker Theatre. June 2-3, 2001.
Pride Day Float! RHP sang on the steps of the Leg. June 10, 2001
Rainbow Harmony Project Garden Tour 2001. July 31, August 1, 2001.
Season #3: 2001-2002
Scott Naugler, Director
Rob Lindey, Accompanist
Norwood United Church. Wednesday evenings.
01-02 Board of Directors: Michelle Ritchot, Brenda Froese, Fran Newton, Rob Lindey, Paul Sherwood, Tim Jeffrey, Paul Sullivan, Stefphany Cholakis, Lisa Galloway, Joe Savage, Kathy Miller, John Rymon, Scott Naugler, Ray Desautels.
Incorporated, a Not-For-Profit Corporation. Member of Manitoba Choral Association, GALA Choruses.
Retreat: St. Benedict’s Centre. September 29, 2001.
Social: Ghouls Night Out. October 27, 2001.
ChoralFest. November 24, 2001.
World AIDS Day Service. Broadway Disciples United Church. November 30, 2001.
Silver Belles: Home for the Holidays. Dec 12, 2001. Norwood United Church.
Social: This Way to the Beach: Wear What You Dare! January 19, 2002.
Pink Triangle Service, Augustine United Church, February 10, 2002.
Social: Spring. March 9, 2002.
Moulin Pink: Songs of Love, Beauty and Pride. Pantages Playhouse Theatre. April 7, 2002.
Flag raising ceremony at City Hall for Winnipeg Pride Day. For the first time the Rainbow flag was raised over City Hall to celebrate as a city Winnipeg Pride. June, 2002.
Rainbow Harmony Project in Concert: Hand In Hand, featuring the Vancouver Men’s Chorus with Guest Bill Monroe. Crescent-Fort Rouge United Church. June 20, 2002.
GALA. Canadian Gay and Lesbian Choral Festival. June 21-24, 2002. Toronto.
Season #4: 2002-2003
Scott Naugler, Director
Rob Lindey, Accompanist
Alan Blanchette, Assistant Conductor
Linda Rodgers, Assistant Conductor
Stephen Cocks, Assistant Accompanist
Lisa Galloway, Assistant Accompanist
Norwood United Church. Wednesday evenings.
Board of Directors: Ray Desautels,
Non-Profit Charity Registration Number
Social: Witches, Ghosts & Fairies OH MY! October 26, 2002.
ChoralFest
World AIDS Day Service, Broadway Disciples United Church. December 1, 2002.
Many Gifts. December 11, 2002. Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. Artistic Director: Scott Naugler, Principal Accompanist: Rob Lindey, Assistant Conductors: Alan blanchette & Linda Rodgers, Assistant Accompanists: Stephen Cocks & Lisa Galloway
Social: Winter.
Retreat: St. Benedict’s. January 24-5, 2003.
Performance at the Leg: Season of NonViolence. January 30, 2003.
Pink Triangle Service. First Unitarian Universalist Church. February 16, 2002.
Social: My Big Fat Queer Social.
Heather Bishop in concert with The Rainbow Harmony Project. April 12, 2003. Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. Associate Conductors: Alan Blanchette, Stephen Cocks, Linda Rodgers. Principle Accompanist: Rob Lindey. Associate Accompanist: Stephen Cocks.
Flag Raising over City Hall to celebrate Pride Week. June, 2003.
Season #5: 2003-2004
Artistic Directors: Vic Hooper, Linda Rodgers, Alan Blanchette, Scott Naugler
Accompanist: Rob Lindey
First Unitarian Universalist Church, Monday evenings
Board of Directors: Ray Desautels, Murray Lamontagne, Lisa Galloway, Manuel Silva, Sandra Bignell, Jennifer Howard, Elizabeth Hunt, Liana Lutz, Don McDonald, John Rymon, Trish Walsh
ChoralFest
Many Gifts. Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. December 10, 2003.
Seasonal Party, December 17, 2003.
Retreat #3. St Benedict’s. February 7-8, 2004.
Services. First Unitarian Universalist Church: What Colour is Your Triangle? February 13 &15, 2004.
The Rainbow Harmony Project In Concert with guest Jeff Staflund. May 15, 2004. St. Mary’s Road United Church.
GALA. Place des Arts, Montreal. 2004. (There were 164 choirs from 7 countries.)
Season #6: 2004-2005
Artistic Director: Vic Hooper
Accompanist: Rob Lindey
Associate Music Directors: Alan Blanchette and Stephen Cocks (partial season)
Unitarian Church
Board of Directors: Karl Johnson,
ChoralFest. Adjudicator Brainerd Blyden-Taylor (Toronto).
Running with Scissors: An Evening of Dance & Film. THRP performance with Adesola Akinleye and Brooke Noble. They performed at TRHP’s many gifts concert a month later. Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. November 19-20, 2004.
Women of Note with the Rainbow Harmony Project, Westminster United Church. December 8, 2004.
Many Gifts, with Adesola Akinleye, Brook Noble, Dancers. Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. Concert dedicated to the memory of Scott Michael Naugler, a founding member, former artistic director, and board member of the Rainbow Harmony Project. December 18, 2004.
Pink Triangle Commemoration Ceremonies at the University of Manitoba. February, 2005.
Black Ties: a Multi-Ethnic Celebration of African American Choral Music, with The Little Opera Company and Women of Note Chamber Choir. February 20, 2005.
Closing Ceremony for Season For Nonviolence. Unity Church, 300 Arlington. April 4, 2005.
The Bridge City Chorus presents Somewhere…Over the Rainbow with The Rainbow Harmony Project. Royal Canadian Legion Hall, Saskatoon. May 14, 2005.
Be Fabulous with special guests The Wyrd Sisters. Manitoba Theatre Centre. May 7, 2005.
Rainbow Harmony Project in Saskatoon with Bridge City Chorus. May 13-15, 2005.
Diversity Sings! Project sponsored by Manitoba Choral Association. Lyric Theatre, Assiniboine Park. June 26, 2005.
SOMS Coronation sponsored by Snow Owl Monarchist Society. (Attendance from royalty from the drag community expected.) Radisson Hotel Ballroom. July 30, 2005.
Season #7: 2005-2006
Artistic Director: Vic Hooper
Accompanist: Rob Lindey
Unitarian Church, Monday evenings
New Board of Directors: Paul Sullivan,
Social: Halloween. 295 tickets sold.
ChoralFest
Many Gifts. Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. December 10, 2005.
LGBT Awareness Week. University Centre. University of Manitoba. February 5, 2006.
Pink Triangle Service. First Unitarian Universalist Church. February 12, 2006.
Winnipeg Music Festival, Gold medal performance and winner of Helga Anderson Trophy, 2006.
The Rainbow Harmony Project Presents True Colours Concert & Art Show with guests Madrigaia. Winnipeg Art Gallery. Visual artists: Graham Asmundson, Daniel Barrow, Heather Bishop, Cam Bush, Paul Butler, Shawna Dempsey, Jess Dixon, Keith Fulton, Liz Garlicki, Millie Giesbrecht, larry Glawson, Noam Gonick, Dave Grywinski, Sharon Jeanson, Jess Koroscil, Bonnie Marin, Kegan McFadden, Doug Melnyk, Lorri Millan, Vivian Muska, Paul Robles, Joel Simkin, Steve Snyder. May 6-7, 2006.
Canadian Unison Festival. Chan Centre, UBC Main Cmpus. Vancouver. May 21, 2006.
Season #8: 2006-2007
Artistic Director: Vic Hooper
Accompanist: Rob Lindey
Unitarian Church, Monday evenings
Board of Directors: Paul Sullivan,
Social: witches, ghosts & faeries oh my. Crescentwood Community Centre. October 27, 2006.
One Voice in Winnipeg. From Minneapolis, North America’s largest GLBT chorus. Artistic Director: Jane Ramseyer Miller. Knox United Church. Included Potluck that evening and a brunch the next morning. November 10, 2006.
ChoralFest. Clinician Brian Tate (Vancouver). Adjudicator Andree Dagenais. November 18, 2006.
Many Gifts. Knox United Church. December 16, 2006.
RHP filed formal complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights about Camp Arnez and their refusal to allow the choir to rent space for a music retreat. December 18, 2006.
Pink Triangle Service. Unitarian Universalist Church. February 11, 2007.
Social: St. Patrick’s Day.
Winnipeg Music Festival. Gold medal performance and winner of Helga Anderson Trophy for the most outstanding performance by an adult community choir. “The Size of Your Heart,” “I Ain’t Afraid.” March 14, 2007.
Singing Out. TRHP in Calgary Performance with Calgary Men’s Chorus, EnChor and Knox United Church Choir. Martha Cohen Theatre, Epcor Centre for Performing Arts, Calgary. April 6, 2007.
Rainbow Harmony Project presents Out on Broadway with Naomi Forman and featuring Edward Ledson. Manitoba Theatre Centre. Vic Hooper, Artistic Director, Rob Lindey, Accompanist, Linda Rodgers, Assistant Director. May 19, 2007.
Season #9: 2007-2008
Artistic Director: Vic Hooper
Accompanist: Rob Lindey
Unitarian Church, Monday evenings
Board of Directors: Paul Sullivan, Bev Budiwski, Ivan Zimmer,
ChoralFest
Women of Note with the Rainbow Harmony Project. Westminster United Church. December 2, 2007.
many gifts with Jamie Lillie. Knox United Church. December 8, 2007.
Retreat: Annual Choir Retreat. St. Mary’s United Church. January 25, 26, 2008.
Winnipeg Music Festival. Westminster United Church. 2007.
Pink Triangle Service. First Unitarian Church. February 10, 2009.
Winnipeg Music Festival. Westminster United Church. March 2, 2008. Awarded a Gold medal performance and, for the second time, the Helga Anderson Trophy for “Now Is the Time: and “Over the Rainbow.”
Social: Shamrock Shaker. March, 2008.
90th Annual Winnipeg Music Festival Gala Concert. Westminster United Church. March 16, 2008.
Pink Money Event. March 29, 2008.
Reaching Out: Now Is the Time with Chandra Mayor and Meesha Crain (video). Park Theatre. 698 Osborne St. May 25, 2008.
Pride Day
Season #10: 2008-2009
Artistic Director: Vic Hooper
Accompanist: Rob Lindey
Unitarian Church, Monday evenings Board of Directors: Darrin Jolicoeur, Del Mansell, Bev Budiwski, Ivan Zimmer, Manny Calisto, Kate Tate, Keith Fulton, Melody Chepil, Leah McIsaac, Karl Johnson, Vic Hooper
Social: witches, ghosts & faeries oh me! October 25, 2008.
ChoralFest. November 29, 2008.
Many Gifts, featuring the Alumni Choir, with Guests Jeff Staflund, Jocelyne Baribeau and Karine Beaudette. Pianist Rob Lindey. Vic Hooper, Artistic Director. Julia Zacharias, Associate Director. Rob Lindey, Accompanist. December 6, 2009. Crescent Fort Rouge United Church.
Retreat. Unitarian Universalist Church. January 23-4, 2009.
Pink Triangle Service, Unitarian Universalist Church. February 22, 2009.
Winnipeg Music Festival. Westminster United Church. March 8, 2009.
Service with Churchill Park United Church. May 3, 2009.
Celebrarion Concert with Heather Bishop. Westminster United Church. May 30, 2009.
Pride Day: Grow With Us. June 14, 2009.
