About Northwest Associated Arts
Our
Mission Statement
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.
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.
In
2007, the continued success of the YCEP led 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.
Mark A. Adrian resigned as conductor of ChoralSounds
Northwest in 2006, and following an 18-month audition process,
NWAA’s leadership appointed David Spring as the new permanent
conductor of the ensemble, beginning with the 2008 CSN Christmas
Concert.
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 2009-10
Concert Season from the following: The City of Burien ·
Norcliffe Foundation · Lucky 7 Foundation · J.R. Mailing
Services, Inc. and countless individuals, businesses and
families who believe in our work.
