Choral Music of Dan Locklair to Be Performed by Portland Gay Mens Chorus Ensemble in Portland, Oregon on February 18 'Freedom' by American composer Dan Locklair will be heard as part of Classical Matinee, a concert by the eXpress! ensemble of the Portland Gay Men's Chorus, Mary McCarty conducting, on Sunday, February 18 - 3 PM at The Old Church, S.W. 11th and Clay Streets in downtown Portland, Oregon. The New York City Gay Men's Chorus commissioned the Locklair work, which is based on Maya Angelou's poem "Equality." This powerful and moving piece delivers a message for freedom from oppression and a hope for equality. Other works on the program include Stephen Chatman's "Reconciliation," Schubert's "Nachthelle" and music of Gustav Holst. The afternoon will also feature additional soloists from the Chorus and the community performing works for voice, clarinet, violin and marimba. General admission tickets are $20 and are available online at http://www.pdxgmc.org, by phone at 503-226-2588 or at the door. The Portland Gay Men's Chorus aspires to expand, redefine, and perfect the choral art through eclectic performances that honor and uplift the gay community and affirm the worth of all people. eXpress! is a 16 member ensemble of the Chorus, More about them and the PGMC at http://www.pdxgmc.org/. Internationally recognized composer Dan Locklair, a native of Charlotte, NC, is Composer-in-Residence and Professor of Music at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. His compositional output, influenced by a wide variety of traditions, ranging from Medieval to modern music, includes symphonic works, a ballet, an opera, and numerous solo, chamber, vocal, organ and choral compositions. His music has been performed throughout Europe and North America by many major orchestras, choral groups, chamber ensembles and soloists. Several of these works have received major awards, including the top award in the 1989 Barlow International Competition for 'changing perceptions & Epitaph' and the 1996 American Guild of Organists Composer of the Year Award. Among his other honors are consecutive ASCAP Awards since 1981 and a Kennedy Center Friedheim Award. His latest CDs, 'Dan Locklair Orchestral Music' (Albany Records Troy 517), and 'Dan Locklair Chamber Music' (Albany Records Troy 701-02) have been released to great critical acclaim. For more information about composer Dan Locklair, including a bio, list of works, discography and much more, please visit the newly redesigned http://www.locklair.com. You can also contact Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-586-3433 or [log in to unmask] Jeffrey James Arts Consulting Website: http://www.jamesarts.com