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.