Description

On May 23, we celebrated a return to in-person choral singing.

This was the first live, in-person performance for the SD Master Chorale in over a year. Moving our program to an outdoor venue created an opportunity for us to share the joy of live, choral music and introduce music that honors the beautiful, and sacred environment in which we live. This concert featured music by Antonio Estevez, Libby Larsen, Abbie Betinis, and more.

We revisited some of our favorite repertoire from the past and explored traditions with new music for this program. Of particular note are two works chosen to highlight this concert’s venue: The Water Conservation Garden. This set featured “To Stir Up Our Wits,” by Greg Brown from his work, Vidi Aquam (I Saw Water), and “We Pray to Be at Peace” from Libby Larsen’s innovative work Missa Gaia (Mass for the Earth). Both pieces reflect on the importance of preserving and appreciating the beauty of our natural world. The program began and ended with the chorale singing texts by American poet Langston Hughes. The final piece, “I Dream A World” by André J. Thomas, imagines a world where we embrace each other for our differences, looking forward to a moment when we can invite a place for peace and love.

The first work on the program “Give Us Our Peace,” by Rollo Dilworth, is also the last piece we performed in person in 2020 (during the Fourth Annual High School Honor Choir concert).

We featured music from the shape-note singing tradition on this program.

Even if you couldn’t attend the live concert, you can enjoy the virtual release of this program on June 6.

Virtual streaming event of this performance on June 6, 2021, 2:00 pm

Adults $20; Students and Military $15

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