Althea Thauberger’s project for inSite_05 was a community choir initiative involving a onetime performance at Murphy Canyon, possibly the largest military housing complex in the world and home to more than 2,500 military families. Working in partnership with a group of military spouses residing predominantly in Murphy Canyon and experienced choir director Terry Russell, Thauberger strove to generate a unique community choir experience. During weekly rehearsals over the course of more than six months the participants worked with composer-in-residence Scott Wallingford to craft a series of their own compositions based on their experiences and musical tastes. The final performance took place at Jean Farb Middle School in Murphy Canyon on September 25, 2005. It was attended by a diverse and varied public, ranging from members of the military community to international curators and art enthusiasts. Viewers of the performance were shuttled into the community via bus and were provided with an onboard tour guide—Jennifer Martin from Military Outreach Ministries—who presented an introduction to the area and life in the military. Following the performance, the participants and the public gathered outside for refreshments.
Murphy Canyon Choir was in part a response to the challenges of military family life, where separation from relatives and friends, coping with dependent children without the support of a partner, and the navigation of unfamiliar environments can all contribute to a sense of isolation. Thauberger sought to provide the participating military spouses with a platform to generate new interpersonal relationships in the community, as well as a means of becoming actively involved in the construction of their own social representation and intervention on prevailing stereotypes that are often perpetuated through the media.
Venue: Jean Farb Middle School in Murphy Canyon, San Diego
Curators: Osvaldo Sánchez and Donna Conwell
Co-participants
Heather Bankson
Diana Butler
Christina Carattini
Tracy Condren
Amy Heise
Jennifer Ramert
Amanda Skidmore
Liz Wolfe
Choir director
Terry Russell
Composer-in-residence
Scott Wallingford
Accompanist
David Castel de Oro
inSite production
Daniel Martínez
Márgara de León
Joy Decena
Zlatan Vukosavljevic
Esmeralda Ceballos
Individuals acknowledgments
Dan Hall
Donna Hilt
Shiela Sola
Shannon Smith
Scott Sutherland
Becky Kist
Dan Hall
Susan Burns
Sarah E. Burford
Linda Ragland
Mary Kirby
Charlene Giles
Heather Henderson
Regan Wright
Sherri Senter
Mike Hall
Jan King
Deanna Angel
Jill Biberardino
Beth Steinke
Jesse Aguirre
Cindy Farless
Organizations
Lincoln BP Management
ASYMCA
Fleet and Family Support Center
Military Outreach Ministries
San Diego USO
Marine and Family Services
New Parent Support Program
Jag Office
Navy Region Southwest (Public Affairs Office)
MWR (Moral Welfare and Recreational Services)
CNRSW Public Affairs
Healthy Start
Murphy Canyon Chapel
National Pediatrics Support Services
Operation Homefront