Connecticut College Choirs, Guest Artists to Premiere ‘Seven Living Words of the HIV Positive’
Connecticut College, in partnership with the Dayton Artist in Residency Program, will host the award-winning professional Chorosynthesis Singers April 9-13. This week-long residency will culminate with a special concert, “Empowering Silenced Voices,” April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Evans Hall, featuring music on themes of social justice, war, colonialism and non-heteronormative love, as well as the East Coast premiere of Thomas Schuttenhelm’s “Seven Living Words of the HIV Positive.”
Joining the Connecticut College Choirs during this performance will be guest baritone Stephen Lancaster of the University of Notre Dame and Chorosynthesis Singers. The week-long residency on campus will also host guest composer Schuttenhelm and guest conductor Jeremiah Selvey of Santa Monica College.
“As artists, musicians have power not only to practice advocacy outside their art, but also to get inside the heart of issues and become advocates through their art,” said Selvey.
“We’re honored to host performers and educators of this caliber, who are eager to share their knowledge with the local community,” said Wendy Moy, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. “We’re especially proud to present a concert that brings a voice to the silenced, the underrepresented members of society, the oppressed and the stigmatized. The College is looking forward to an inspiring week of song.”
All events during the week are open to the public and sponsored by the Dayton Artist in Residency Program. The schedule of events is as follows:
Empowering Silenced Voices CD Release Party
Tuesday, April 9, 7:30–9 p.m., Hood Dining Room, Blaustein Humanities Center
Wendy Moy, assistant professor of music at Connecticut College; Jeremiah Selvey, co-artistic director of Chorosynthesis Singers; and members of the professional ensemble Chorosynthesis Singers will celebrate the release of their first double CD.
Entrepreneurship in Music Panel
Wednesday, April 10, 11:50 a.m.–1:05 p.m., Fortune Hall, Cummings Arts Center
Wendy Moy, assistant professor of music at Connecticut College and co-artistic director of Chorosynthesis Singers; Jeremiah Selvey, co-artistic director of Chorosynthesis Singers; Stephen Lancaster, head of the Graduate Voice Program at University of Notre Dame; and members of the professional ensemble Chorosynthesis Singers will discuss how to create a successful career in music.
Better Together
Guest Recital with Stephen Lancaster, Baritone, and Jill Brunelle, Pianist
Wednesday, April 10, 7:30 p.m., Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center
Stephen Lancaster, baritone and head of the Graduate Voice Program at the University of Notre Dame, and Jill Brunelle, pianist from the Yale School of Music, will present an evening of music on themes of togetherness. Chorosynthesis Singers will also perform a set in collaboration with Lancaster.
Seeing the World Through a Composer’s Eyes
Composer Talk with Guest Thomas Schuttenhelm
Thursday, April 11, 11:50 a.m.–1:05 p.m., Cummings 224
Thomas Schuttenhelm, composer of Chorosynthesis Singers’ commissioned work and artistic director for Network for New Music, will join us for a conversation while sharing the journey of composing “Seven Living Words of the HIV Positive.”
Vocal Masterclass with Stephen Lancaster
Featuring Connecticut College voice students
Friday, April 12, 4–5:30 p.m., Evans Hall
Stephen Lancaster, baritone and head of the Graduate Voice Program at the University of Notre Dame, will work with three of Connecticut College’s advanced voice students.
Empowering Silenced Voices
Saturday, April 13, 7:30 p.m., Evans Hall
Connecticut College Choirs and the award-winning professional Chorosynthesis Singers will perform music on themes of social justice, war, colonialism and non-heteronormative love, as well as the East Coast premiere of Thomas Schuttenhelm’s “Seven Living Words of the HIV Positive.” Tickets available online.
For more information, contact the Connecticut College Box Office at (860) 439-2787.
March 20, 2019