Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene
P.O. Box 40934
Eugene, Oregon 97404
www.soromundi.org
501(c) (3) Non-Profit
Soromundi
History Statement
Soromundi began with 6 women in 1989 who met in the living room of its founder, Karm Hagedorn. The following year Lisa Hellemn joined as the accompanist and became director in 1993. Lisa and Karm shared the director role from 1998 to 2017 when Karm retired. In the early years, some women participated in rehearsals but didn’t sing publicly or list their full names in programs for fear of losing their jobs. The chorus quickly emerged as a politically active group in response to local, state, and national anti-LGBTQ measures and performed at rallies, marches, and vigils.
Lisa continues to be the Music Director today. 1300-1500 women have sung in Soromundi which involves 65-110 singers each year. During the first year of COVID the chorus met by Zoom. All concerts and tours were canceled. 2021/22 was difficult but the chorus battled through the ups and downs of Covid ending its 33rd season with 65 members performing at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts and recording their fourth album.
Soromundi presents concerts in Eugene, often with instrumental accompaniment, collaborates and performs with other community choruses, and has toured throughout Oregon and Washington’s I-5 corridor working with gay & lesbian youth groups, community centers, and churches.
Mission Statement
Soromundi comes together in song to create a visible expression of Lesbian pride. We strive for musical excellence, and embrace our commonalities and differences. Through the power of music and inclusion we effect positive change in our community.
Membership Statement
Chorus membership is open to anyone over the age of 18, who identifies as a woman. We welcome members of all orientations, races, ethnicities, abilities, economic statuses, and religions. We embrace a broad definition for self-identified women, which includes lesbian, straight, bisexual, cisgender, transgender, and intersex women, individuals with non-binary gender expressions, and gender expansive individuals who find home within women’s spaces. This can include gender non-conforming, a-gender, two-spirit, butch, femme, and many other identities. We intend this membership definition to be as inclusive as possible while honoring and reaffirming our history and identify as Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene. For more information send email to marketing@soromundi.org. Subject: To Marketing Director.
