Tulsa World: Arena kickoff to have choir

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Arena kickoff to have choir

Sam Harris will perform with a community choir during the grand opening of the BOK Center. Tulsa World file

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
Published: 6/22/2008 2:12 AM
Last Modified: 6/22/2008 2:31 AM

Who's going to be among the first performers at the BOK Center?

Maybe you.

A multifaith celebration called "One Song. Many Voices" is being planned for 3 p.m. Aug. 31 as part of the grand opening of the new venue. It will involve a mass community choir.

The event will feature Sam Harris, a Broadway and TV star who grew up in Sand Springs. Other celebrity guests will be announced later.

Anyone who is interested, at least 18 and preferably has a decent singing voice is welcome to be in the choir.

For those who would rather watch, the celebration will be free. It will be general admission; no tickets will be issued.

"There's a strong religious tradition in Tulsa and we wanted to somehow make that a part of the grand opening weekend," BOK Center General Manager John Bolton said.

"And it's a chance for people to say they've performed in the arena."

The event will be unique to the city, he said.

"I haven't been able to find anything like this that has been done at the opening of other facilities," he said.

Eleven different faith organizations will bless the building during the program, he said.

"But it's mostly about music," Bolton said, adding that the event will be inclusive for all religions.

The idea came from Rick Fortner, the music

director of All Souls Unitarian Church, who will serve in the same capacity for the mass community choir.

"There's going to be a wide variety of spiritual music," he said. "We'll have selections that are from South Africa and some that are Native American. Some will be more traditional, some will be a cappella, some will be accompanied."

The focus will be the pillars of spiritual life: love, faith, hope and freedom.

Fortner approached Bolton more than a year ago about the multifaith celebration, and it has been evolving since.

Fortner said, "I think it's important that people feel a part of this new venue, and I personally think this is a great opportunity to build bridges between the segments of our community."

He hopes to have as many as 500 people in the choir, but he isn't setting a limit, he said.

"You don't have to be able to read music and you don't have to be a part of your church's choir to be part of this," he said. "But you do have to commit to all of the rehearsals."

The deadline to register is July 31. No auditions will take place.

Five rehearsals are scheduled for 7-9 p.m. Aug. 14, 19, 21, 26 and 30 at the Tulsa Convention Center and the BOK Center. Performance attire information will be given then.

Brian Barber 581-8322
brian.barber@tulsaworld.com
By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (6/22/2008 8:45:51 AM) Fortunately, "righton" doesn't get to decide who gets to be a church. It's unlikely that "righton" has ever stepped inside a Unitarian church, but the statement that a Unitarian church "doesn't believe in God" is flat wrong. What's true is that Unitarians welcome everyone - even atheists. Some people can't understand that - how can a church be a church if it doesn't exclude someone?
	Report Comment Spikey, (6/22/2008 8:47:46 AM) Tulsa has a strong Christian tradition. A multi-faith songfest directed by a non-Christian from All Souls Unitarian church will attract mostly agnostics and non-Christians to see it. If they really want a turn-out you would think they would get the vibrant Methodist, Baptists, AOGs, Victory, and the Word Churches involved with it. Then we'd have a rockin' "religious" celebration. I hope this isn't indicative of the type of creative thinking we can expect from the people in charge of making money with the BOK Center. Else it's going to be a financial burden on the taxpayers.
	Report Comment Lancelot, (6/22/2008 8:47:55 AM) So this is the big arena kickoff?? The ameture hour?? What a huge disappointment.
	Report Comment Lancelot, (6/22/2008 8:49:20 AM) amateur
	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (6/22/2008 8:51:50 AM) But back on the subject of the story - what a wonderful idea! A mass community choir to dedicate the Tulsa community's new treasure. I'm glad that the search for a suitable opening concert is over. The only act qualified to open the BOK center is the Beatles, and they aren't available!
	Report Comment Daven, Tulsa (6/22/2008 9:15:57 AM) I agree Lancelot. So far I have not been disappointed in any of the acts scheduled for the BOK arena. But this is a big disappointment.
	Report Comment Paula, Midtown (6/22/2008 9:21:32 AM) I, too, have to agree that the "amateur hour" is a big let down. Any of the big names they already have would be better for the kickoff. This is not good. A poor choice indeed.
	Report Comment Tulsa World Staff Writer Brian Barber, (6/22/2008 9:41:35 AM) This is not the big opening concert. This is just one of the many "soft opening" events the venue will have.
	Report Comment Tulcritter, Tulsa (6/22/2008 9:58:35 AM) Thanks, Brian. Unfortunately, for many of the readers and posters on these boards, you have to "dumb it down" or draw a picture. I don't know if they are bad speed readers or just see what they want to see. Your third paragraph clearly stated that this was...."part of the grand opening...."
	Report Comment Stanley, (6/22/2008 11:26:39 AM) So an on the spot choir of locals is the big arena kickoff grand opening event?? That's bad, jeez, couldn't they do any better than that?
	Report Comment Stanley, (6/22/2008 11:29:25 AM) Tulsa World Staff Writer Brian Barber, (6/22/2008 9:41:35 AM) This is not the big opening concert. This is just one of the many "soft opening" events the venue will have. _______________ Then why are you using words like "arena kickoff" and "grand opening" in the article if it's just some minor event? This is a poorly written article, totally misleading.
	Report Comment Steven, (6/22/2008 11:36:07 AM) If this isn't the grand opening arena kickoff event, then when are we going to be told what it is? We're a mere two months from the opening and this is all we have been told about, a voluntary amatuer choir....not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not my image of a grand opening event.
	Report Comment Mar, (6/22/2008 11:41:36 AM) Not really Stanley. You have to read "every word". People nowdays, especially young people seem to skim over articles instead of reading and they miss out the actual meaning. This is not the "main" opening act. It is free to attend, it is a coming together of all people, religious or otherwise to sing together as a community or to attend the concert. They are giving the people of Tulsa and the surrounding areas a chance to attend an event at the Arena to see the new building for free. Now, if those people that are always on the look out for freebies can get up off their fat butts and walk a block or two ....
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, (6/22/2008 12:54:13 PM) Lawrence - One of the writers previously posted on another article that the writers don't get to write their own headlines, someone else at TW does that. Sometimes the writers aren't happy with the headlines assigned to their articles.
	Report Comment tulsan09, Tulsa (6/22/2008 1:08:47 PM) These comments...so typically Tulsn. I would expect nothing less.
	Report Comment gandhi56, (6/22/2008 1:32:13 PM) I suggest people to start opening your inner eyes!!! For those of you who cannot see propaganda, mediocrity, manufactured consent, hidden agendas....wake up folks...my spirituality is a very personal issue....This arena is a freaking joke people...but no one wants to look at the ulterior motives here...strictly money....music today is a joke, the great bands of the past are gone and they are turning this stinking building into a church already...but OH NO....no one wants to really confront the truth...I see it, and the powers that be are hoping manufactured consent plays into peoples acceptance of the church/state ploy...there is no way I would commune with others in such a closed minded event and all the indirect/direct apparatus that are putting us in this stupid totalitarian non-thinking paradigm....sorry, but I will head for the hills before I stick my head and thinking brain in the sand and just accept whatever the big money and the big conceited egos force upon my reality...WAKE UP PEOPLE....would you please wake up???
	Report Comment D, (6/22/2008 2:00:57 PM) Let's see, We have a big hole in the ground arena where one of the first shows is amateur show? Then we have the big any farm (City Hall) where you can stand outside and see the little people scurrrying around in the building...No streets, no firemen, and no police officers...."One Term Taylor" is doing a great job getting her friends high paying jobs at the taxpayers expense.
	Report Comment TacoBelle, (6/22/2008 4:25:43 PM) My goodness...lots of Haterade getting passed around. Even if they got some big huge name to open the arena, you would all just moan and complain about how much tickets cost. I think this is a really good way to let the community get involved. Tulsa is full of talented people who will gladly lend their voices.
	Report Comment eas, (6/22/2008 5:09:59 PM) Ok guys, this arena is being built for the city and its' citizens. This is an event that you can literally participate in "for a song." I've signed up and am looking forward to it!
	Report Comment TU Alum KG, (6/23/2008 8:50:13 AM) "...we wanted to somehow make that a PART of the grand opening WEEKEND," BOK Center General Manager John Bolton said. Seems pretty clear to me that it is not THE opening act. Plus, if you think it is stupid, don't go. That will mean better seats for the rest of us. And enough with the ticket prices already... have you all never been to a concert anywhere else? All concerts are priced relatively the same.
	Report Comment Jeff in Tulsey Town, (6/23/2008 9:51:39 AM) If the comments section is any indicator, the BOK Center will be a success. Whether the comments are positive, negative or indifferent, it's clear that any (and I mean ANY) article about the arena garners a lot of back and forth commenting. It just goes to show that even those who have something negative to say are still hanging on almost every word written about this new venue. Good job!
	Report Comment MBS, (6/23/2008 1:51:51 PM) I do not know why everyone is so down on Sam Harris. He is incredibly talented. I also think the community choir is a wonderful idea. Local people working with a local celebrity can only bring the community together. Oklahoma should be very proud that such a wonderful event is taking place and that such an amazing entertainer will be performing there. (So quit whining!)
	Report Comment Sunshineinttown, (6/23/2008 2:10:41 PM) I think the grand opening should be someone from this area who has national and/or international fame. Garth Brooks,Flaming Lips, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Reba McIntire, Vince Gill, etc. We have so many (mostly country) but many, many singers from NE OK there is no reason why one of them shouldn't be doing the grand opening
	Report Comment ilovetosing, MANNFORD (6/23/2008 7:08:47 PM) I've had the privilege of singing with/for both Rick Fortner and Sam Harris. They are both incredible musicians who will NOT disappoint. I dare the "naysayers" to show up and see for yourselves! IT IS FREE, after all.
	Report Comment soonerguy, (6/24/2008 9:08:33 PM) Everyone complains about the ticket prices, and how they could never afford to attend any event. Then they announce an incredible plan to have a community show, where people can go and see the new arena, check everything out, and enjoy some local talent, and everyone STILL is angry. You people are amazing. I will be there if for no other reason than I get to enjoy the newest building in DT Tulsa. Oh, and I think i am going to click 'Ignore' on anyone who said anything about this being the"Grand Opening" because YOU obviously don't have anything of value to contribute, since you didn't even read the article!

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