Lori Tennenhouse

Review: The 37-strong, a cappella Grand Rapids (MI) Women's Chorus is led by Artistic Director Lori Tennenhouse and Small Ensemble Director Martha VanderEyk, and "Celebrating Time Together" is a "best of" 15-song collection from the founding of the group in 1996 to 2006. Some favorites are four songs commissioned by the GRWC: Diane Benjamin's lightly accompanied "Miracle," Libby Larsen & Mary Oliver's string quartet accompanied "The Summer Day," Ysaye M. Barnwell & Audrey Lorde's "Memorial 1," and Marjan Helms' piano and percussion-accompanied "Rainsong;" and a pair performed by the 8-voice Small Ensemble, "My Love Walks in Velvet" and "A Red, Red Rose. Other favorites are Antonin Dvorak's lovely "Largo" (from Song of Survival, Vol.1), the powerful, drum-accompanied Akan Playground Song "Sansa Kroma," Alan E. Naplan's "Al Shlosha D'Varim," Zap Mama's rhythmic gem "Guzophela" and Eric Whitacre's "Sleep." The GRWC has a beautiful, sweet sound, strong covers and excellent new material. There's a lot to like on "Celebrating Time Together!"

Songlist: Set Me As A Seal, Sisters, Sansa Kroma, Tres Cantos Nativos, Largo, Guzophela, Miracle, The Summer Day, My Love Walks In Velvet, A Red, Red Rose, Al Shlosha D'Varim, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Memorial 1, Rainsong, Sleep

Review: The pride of Grand Rapids (MI), the 42-strong Grand Rapids Women's Chorus, is directed by Lori Tennenhouse. Since its inception in 1996 the chorus has been dedicated to singing culturally diverse music that promotes appreciation of women composers and arrangements. "Where I Live," is a powerful piece by Diane Benjamin which tells the story of a woman with breast cancer through narrative and song. The CRWC performs the piece with a pianist, two violinists, viola and cello players and percussion. The material is stark, heartrending and enlightening, and includes "Somebody," "That Was the Fruit of My Orchard," "In The Hospital," "Help Me," "Peace," "My Body" and "Teach Me How." "Where I Live" is an important, unforgettable experience that shines a necessary light on a horrendous disease and the feelings and experiences of real women who must courageously stand and fight against it.

Songlist: Somebody, Narration, That Was The Fruit Of My Orchard, Narration, In The Hospital, Narration, Help Me, Narration, Peace, Narration, My Body, Narration, Teach Me How