In 1985 Rachel Alexander moved to Michigan from Missouri, where
she had been the co-founder, assistant director, and accompanist
of the St. Louis Woman’s
Choir. After moving to Lansing, she decided to start a chorus here, and in
January of 1986 the Lansing Women’s Chorus was born.
Rachel Alexander directed the chorus (renamed Sistrum in 1989)
for the next 15½ years. Her vision for the chorus was
one of musical excellence, rooted in feminism and her belief
in the power of women singing together as a tool for social justice.
In 2001, Rachel passed the baton to Meredith Bowen, who continues
the commitment to excellence, both in music and in message. Over
the years the women of Sistrum have grown together, facing challenges,
respecting differences and supporting each other.
Our name comes from a musical instrument, a rattle used in ancient
Egypt. It was kept in constant motion as a symbol of Isis, the
sacred and ever-changing Life Force. We draw upon the words, music,
and energy of women composers, arrangers and poets to educate,
entertain and inspire our audiences.
Artistic Director ~ Meredith Bowen
(M.M. Choral Conducting Michigan State University, 2005, B.S. Music Education West Chester University, 2000.)
Meredith Bowen, a native of Pennsylvania, received her Masters degree in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University in 2005. Prior to her graduate work, she taught music in public school and held various singing and conducting positions in Lansing area churches.
Meredith was chosen by Sistrum to be the artistic director in the fall of 2001 and has lead them through the seasons including performances at Sister Singer’s Convention in San Diego, a regional GALA convention in Cincinnati, a history of winter concert collaborations with the Greater Lansing Gay Men’s Chorus, as well as the annual spring concerts. She was also instrumental in the conception and execution of Sistrum’s first CD, Sweet Women.
Currently, in addition to Sistrum, Meredith is the Music Director for the Battle Creek Girls’ Chorus, conducts the Lansing Community College Concert Choir, teaches History of World Music, works as research assistant for Dr. Sandra Snow, and maintains a private voice studio in the Lansing area.
Contact: director@sistrum.org
Accompanist ~ Deena Agree
Deena
first joined Sistrum in the summer of 1987 having seen a flyer
posted at Motherwit (the local feminist bookstore of the time). When Rachel Alexander was out
of town for a month, Deena filled in as director, an experience
she thoroughly enjoyed.
Between then and now, Deena moved to NYC where she spent six
years a pastry chef. These days she lives with her partner,
Fred Gifford, and their twins Rose Elizabeth and Jonathan Philip.
ASL Interpreters ~ Dawn M. Carson and Ginger Martz
