San Francisco Girls Chorus and Jazz Vocalist Paula West June 5, 2009

Wrapping up an extraordinary 30th anniversary season that featured its New York Lincoln Center debut and an appearance at the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the San Francisco Girls Chorus closes its 2008-2009 Bay Area home season with two performances of "Made in the Americas," Artistic Director Susan McMane has announced. The concerts feature jazz vocalist Paula West and her trio in arrangements with the Girls Chorus and a set of her own. Also on the program are the West Coast premiere of Two Mountain Songs by Gabriela Lena Frank and the World premiere of the complete Just Imagine suite of Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim and Irving Berlin songs arranged by Bay Area composer Dwight Okamura, which features guest cellist Emil Miland. The concerts will be conducted by Susan McMane with accompanist Susan Soehner.

With a particular dusky soulfulness, West has captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike from coast to coast. Known and respected for her creative and distinct repertoire, West adds her own depth and drama to whichever song she chooses for the moment, creating whole new frameworks of meaning for American favorites. Without fail, the songs come from a place of sincerity. "In the end" she explains, "it's just getting the story across. To me, the words are the most important thing."

Four home season performances, an appearance at the inauguration of US President Barack Obama, a New York debut at the new Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, acclaimed guest appearances with San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, guest artists and a new recording highlight the 30th anniversary season of the San Francisco Girls Chorus. Featured premieres include commissions by composers Augusta Read Thomas, Gabriela Lena Frank, Eleanor Daley and Dwight Okamura. Season guest artists include organist David Higgs, jazz vocalist Paula West, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and cellist Emil Miland.

$15-$28.

Official Website: http://sfgirlschorus.org