Classical Uprising (CU)

Organization

Classical Uprising was formed with the merger of Maine’s Oratorio Chorale and Portland Bach Experience with the intent to move classical music out of performance halls to public places like farmer’s markets and downtown Portland, Maine. ³

CU was chosen as the group’s name to “rise up, challenge current norms” and to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as a means to fight what it terms “systemic racism.” ^{4 5}

Programs

Oratorio Chorale

Classical Uprising’s Ontario Chorale performs music from current leading composers, masterworks with orchestra, and interactive performances. Classics from Handel, Mozart, and Brahms and contemporary works from Kyr and Muhly are typical of their concerts. ^{6 7}

Young Artists Program

Ontario Chorale provides the opportunity for up to six high school students to practice advanced choral repertoire in a supportive environment. ⁸

Portland Bach Experience

CU’s Bach Experience provides immersive events and intimate concerts in unexpected places to bring classical music into people’s everyday lives. Bach Bends Yoga, Bach and Beer, and Handel Happy Hour are examples of programs that CU offers. ⁹

Horizon Voices

Classical Uprising’s Horizon Voices develops youth creativity through choral singing. Young people in grades K-12 are taught vocal technique, musicianship, and public speaking skills. ¹⁰

Sweetest in the Gale

The organization’s Sweetest in the Gale is designated “SinG” and is an auditioned ensemble that focuses on technique, musicianship skills, and building community through choral works for women’s voices. ¹¹

Activities

Classical Uprising and ChamberQueer, an organization that highlights LGBT voices in classical music to promote intersectionality and inclusive spaces, performed “Messiah. Multiplied” in November of 2023. ¹²

CU holds a Portland Bach Experience during 10 days of June including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carnival Concert, and Community Celebration that includes a Fairy Queen drag show and community dance party. ¹³

Funding

Classical Uprising received a $12,000 grant from left-of-center PRBB Foundation, a group that supports critical race theory and makes grants to the far-left BlackOUT Collective, which is associated with Black Lives Matter; Freedom Lodge; Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN); and other groups supporting environmentalist causes, liberalizing immigration and left-of-center humanitarian issues. ^{14 15}

CU is supported by the Maine Arts Commission, and Maine state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and grants from the Onion Foundation. ¹⁶

Classic Uprising also receives funding from Cornelia and Michael Bessie Foundations, Davenport Trust, Maine Humanities Council, and Margaret E. Brunham Charitable Trust. ¹⁷

People

Emily Isaacson is the founder and artistic director of Classic Uprising. She previously founded Portland Bach Experience and was artistic director at Oratorio Chorale. ¹⁸

Michael Boyd is president of the board of directors an attorney and former director of the Choral Art Society. ¹⁹

Finances

Classical Uprising reported 2021 revenue of $353,713 that included $276,711 in contributions and grants and $74,365 in program service revenue offset by $155,105 of expenses. Total expenses reported were $313,072 with net assets at the end of the year of $159,369. ^{20 21}