In celebration of its 20 years as an LGBT singing group, Out Loud Chorus will present its January concert, "As Time Goes By," this weekend. Out Loud Chorus is a non-auditioned community chorus. Most of their members identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered, but they are open to all who consider themselves allies of the LGBT community. The group is "all about having fun and working hard together to make good music and put on a great show."
Director Paul Haebig leads the chorus with Annie Jeng on piano, Edie Herrold on bass and Tamara Perkuhn on percussion. Haebig, DMA, has been with Out Loud Chorus since 2010 as an accompanist and recently stepped up to the podium as director. He has enjoyed a varied musical career as a choir director, accompanist and organist.
In 2012 he earned the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in organ performance and sacred music from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Marilyn Mason. Haebig received his M.Mus. in church music from the University of Michigan, and his B.Mus. in organ performance from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. Active in sacred music, Paul has served as organist and choirmaster for St. Michael's in the Hills Episcopal Church in Toledo since 2011. Before leaving his native Pittsburgh, he was organist and director of music for Jewish, Episcopal and Presbyterian congregations. From 2010 to 2012 he was accompanist for the vocal music program at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. In Pittsburgh he was accompanist and assistant director for the Renaissance City Choir, also a GALA chorus. Other performing credits in the Pittsburgh area include the concert choir of the Community College of Allegheny County and the McKeesport Symphony Chorus. Haebig currently lives in Ann Arbor with his partner Martin, a psychotherapist, and in his spare time enjoys cooking and working out.
"As Time Goes By" will play at 8 p.m. on Jan. 16-17 at Towsley Auditorium, located on Washtenaw Commuity College's campus. WCC can be found at 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor. Tickets range from $12-18. For more information, call 734-265-0740 or visit www.olconline.org.
