The Jane Ramseyer Miller Commissioning Fund: Dedicated to lifting voices

The tradition of commissioning original works was established many years ago by Jane Ramseyer Miller, our esteemed Artistic Director of nearly three decades. To continue her legacy after retirement, all donations made to the Jane Ramseyer Miller Commissioning Fund will directly support the creation of new compositions by Queer and BIPOC artists for One Voice projects.

In just her second year with One Voice, Jane began commissioning new music with a 4-movement composition by Jena Root based on the memoirs of suffragette Ethel Smyth. It premiered in 1999 at a concert featuring women composers, titled “Hear Me Roar,” and that was only the beginning. During Jane's 27 years as Artistic Director, she commissioned over 40 individual songs largely working with Queer and BIPOC composers.

“When I was asked how I want my legacy with One Voice to be honored, I didn’t even need to ponder. I am a believer in supporting living composers and commissioning new music with texts that speak to our lives and mission as an organization. I am excited that this fund will keep the One Voice commissioning tradition alive and vibrant.”

-Jane Ramseyer Miller, Artistic Director (1995-2023)

We discovered that a great way to share our mission is through the creation of original music for the LGBTQIA+ community. One Voice has commissioned over 45 individual songs since the chorus was founded in 1988.

Honoring Civil Rights

“The Man Behind the Dream” was composed by gay African American, Steve Milloy, and the libretto written by queer African American spoken-word artist, Vanessa German.

Supporting
marriage equality

The world premiere of “Music Makers, Dreamers of Dreams” by Minnesota composer, Christopher Aspaas, for the concert Eat, Drink, and Be Married.

…and so many more!

Mari Esabel Valverde

Holly Hee Won Coughlin

Steve Milloy

Donald McCullough

Elizabeth Alexander

George Maurer

Gwyneth Walker

Jeanie Brindley-Barnett

Robert Seeley

Ann Reed

Becky Dale

Catherine Dalton

Christopher Aspaas

Christopher Gable

Paul Siskind

Jena Root

Joseph Schlefke

Kevin Wojahn

Mankwe Ndosi

Nathan Hall

Support future One Voice commissions

All donations made to the fund will directly support the creation of new compositions by Queer and BIPOC artists for One Voice projects.