About Northwest Associated Arts
Our
Mission
Northwest Associated Arts, Inc., provides performances
that enliven, enrich, entertain and educate both members and
audiences while appealing to a variety of musical tastes.
Members are energized by an environment fostering bonds of
community, serving and respecting diverse ages, cultures and
ethnic groups.
Our Vision
NWAA offers both musical education as well as performance
opportunities for a broad range of musicians, from grade 3
through adulthood. We believe that the discipline, camaraderie
and pride instilled through music are valuable for people at any
stage of their lives. We know that offering choral experience
and education to singers of all skill levels creates a fertile
environment for personal growth and for professional level
performances, while fostering a healthy community among our
membership and audience.
History
Northwest
Associated Arts was founded in 1984 as Highline Civic Chorale in
response to the need for a vibrant, diverse south-end (Seattle)
chorus that would bring quality choral music into the community
while challenging experienced singers. In 1986, the Chorale
changed its name to ChoralSounds Northwest (CSN), and co-founder
Mark A. Adrian was engaged to conduct the ensemble.
In 2000 Cantaré Vocal Ensemble was added to the organization
in part to provide CSN singers with an opportunity to sing and
perform classical choral repertoire in intimate settings.
Cantaré currently makes its performance home at Seattle’s St.
Mark’s Cathedral under the baton of Mark A. Adrian.
In 2003, as school districts in our community continued to
cut music programs, our leadership saw a tremendous need for a
way to involve our youngest citizens in the choral arts, and
founded the Youth Choral Education Program (YCEP), under the
direction of Paula Hawkins.
The first ensemble in YCEP was the CSN Children’s Chorus for
singers in grades 3-5. Within a year the tremendous success of
the Children’s Chorus led to the formation of the CSN Youth
Chorus, for singers in grades 6-8.
In 2005, CSN created Northwest Associated Arts as an umbrella
organization to better encompass the range of performing groups
now operating in our organization. As part of this
reorganization, the Children’s Chorus became KidSounds Northwest
and the Youth Chorus was re-named YouthSounds Northwest.
Mark A. Adrian resigned as conductor of ChoralSounds
Northwest in 2006, and NWAA’s leadership is in the midst of an
18-month “audition” process to select CSN’s new permanent
conductor. A highly-qualified field of candidates was
identified, which the selection committee narrowed to three
finalists. Each finalist agreed to conduct one concert, beginning with the May 2007 Broadway show under the baton of
David Spring, with the final permanent conductor selection in
the summer of 2008.
In 2007, the continued success of the YCEP let NWAA to form
yet another chorus, TeenSounds Northwest. Inspired by the many
young people and their parents who asked for singing
opportunities for older singers, TeenSounds welcomes singers in
grades 9-12.
Northwest Associated Arts, Inc. is an IRS-registered
501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and is governed by an
elected Board of Directors. Donations to
NWAA are fully tax-deductible.
Supporters
NWAA is proud to have received funding for the 2007-08
Concert Season from the following: The City of Burien • Horizons
Foundation • Charlotte Martin Foundation • Washington State Arts
Commission • Seattle Mayor’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs •
J.R. Mailing Services, Inc. • Fred Meyer • 4HTTP/1.1 100 Continue
Culture • Glaser
Foundation • Target • Qwest Foundation • PONCHO and countless
individuals, businesses and families who believe in our work.
