A Healing Adventure
Turtle Creek Chorale joins the Temple Emanu-El Choir in a musical tribute to finding freedom and hope in difficult times
Sean Baugh recalls a personal sea crossing that occurred last year during a concert performance at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth.
“On a whim, I turned around and asked for a show of hands of everyone who has been hurt by the church. Almost every hand went up,” says Baugh, artistic director and
conductor of the Turtle Creek Chorale, a predominantly gay male chorus.
“The majority of our singers, ages 40-70, grew up in a time where many of us sang in church choirs, hearing what we like to call clobber passages from the Bible used against
us. But they still gave their gifts freely to churches that would turn their backs on them. I view it as part of our mission to reclaim some of that musical authority that has been
used against us,” Baugh says.
So it was an enthusiastic and emphatic “yes” when Temple approached Baugh to invite the Chorale to sing with our choir. Not only did he know Temple’s reputation as a top-notch music program, but he also respected choir director Chris Crook for many years.
“I’ve always admired the way Temple Emanu-El has been able to push a progressive theology, and do so with authority and confidence,” he says. “Just by being invited to perform at Temple Emanu-El, that is an invitation that says we value you as a human—not just the gifts you bring, but your full, authentic selves.”
Cantor Vicky Glikin affirms Baugh’s sentiments. “The partners we choose for Temple’s artistic endeavors speak volumes about our values. When we were planning the 2025-2026 Music, Arts and Culture season a year ago, we knew that a collaboration with the Turtle Creek Chorale is an opportunity for us to support our LGBTQIA+ friends, congregants and neighbors in an especially polarizing climate. Sea Crossings felt like a fitting theme for us as Jews not only on Shabbat Shirah, but also as a community and a nation.”
The two choirs will sing the Shabbat Shirah Prayer Journey on January 30 at 6pm. Shabbat Shirah is the name of the Torah portion B’shalach, which includes the “Song of the Sea” sung by the Israelites after they crossed the Red Sea. It is customary for synagogues to observe this Shabbat with special musical programming.
“While the things we sing aren’t water and sea-based, there’s a similar thread of coming out of the storm and finding a place after difficulty. I think it’s a great fit,” Baugh says.
This occasion will mark the third time the Turtle Creek Chorale, with more than 250 members, including three Jewish members, has sung in a synagogue, and the first time they have been included in a worship service. “This will be a healing adventure for them, and will open up some dialogue between our two institutions,” Baugh says.
The musical portion of the service will be about 45 minutes and will include selections by Temple’s choir. The works encompass spiritual and peace-oriented themes and represent
underrepresented composers, including women, people of color, Jews and those in the LGBTQ community.
“I’m very curious and very excited to see how it feels in the room. I look forward to being moved by a service that’s not in my tradition,” Baugh says.