Noteworthy | January 2018

Now that the holidays have passed, it's the perfect time to recalibrate, find balance, and approach the new year with hope and gratitude. At Conspirare, nothing sets our spirits higher and makes all seem right more than music, so let's start the year off with more opportunities to gather and share in this gift.

Here are our top 5 ways to let music brighten your winter:

1. Carry Conspirare with you on your smart phone by streaming your favorite recordings on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon.

2. Join us for an inspired The Poet Sings performance by Dashon Burton and Craig Hella Johnson;

3. Find some friends, and reserve a table for Hidden Music;
4. Enjoy a moment of gratitude for our Hella Circle members and all End of Year Supporters who are part of a community of supporters who believe in the power of music to change lives;
5. Take a road trip to Dallas, TX; Lincoln, NE; Oxford, MS; or Hattiesburg, MS to relive Considering Matthew Shepard through a touring encore performance.

We hope that you'll join us throughout 2018 as we share both beloved and new music, sing together, and create lasting memories.

The Poet Sings: Dashon Burton with Craig Hella Johnson

Your chance to catch this one-of-a-kind Austin performance!

Bass-Baritone Dashon Burton joins Craig Hella Johnson on piano for a recital in Conspirare's The Poet Sings series. The program will include Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe (A Poet's Love), Op. 48.

"I want to dig my hands in the deep earth that brought us these shared feelings, these experiences, all conveyed to us from those who wrote before we were here. In that, I hope we can find repertoire that bursts off the page and out of our hearts with enough passion to invigorate us. Schumann's Dichterliebe does this for me every time..."

-Dashon Burton

(read his full response to the music here)

Praised by The New York Times, Washington Post, and Cincinnati Enquirer; Burton's recent release, Songs of Struggle & Redemption: We Shall Overcome , was included on The New York Times' "The Best Classical Musical Recordings of 2016" list. Noted for his "nobility and rich tone," ( The New York Times ) and his "enormous, thrilling voice seemingly capable... [of] raising the dead," ( The Wall Street Journal ) bass-baritone Dashon Burton has appeared in both the Brahms Requiem and Beethoven 9 with Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra.

02.02.18 | 8:00pm

Jessen Auditorium| Homer Rainey Hall| University of Texas

201 W. 21st St., Austin, TX

Reaching National Audiences: Considering Matthew Shepard

Conspirare Commences the National 2018 Encore Performances

After moving performances in College Station and a s t anding ovation in Boston's Symphony Hall, Considering Matthew Shepard returns to the national stage in February 2018 with


	Highlights of the World Premiere of Considering Matthew Shepard

performances in Dallas, TX; Lincoln, NE; Oxford, MS; and Hattiesburg, MS. Don't miss your opportunity to catch this Grammy®-nominated tribute to the life of Matthew Shepard.

Don't miss your chance to catch an encore performance of what the Washington Post called "powerfully cathartic" and "spellbinding."

For more information and to order tickets from the venues, visit our event page.

Singing Adventures in Sydney

Choral ensemble singers invited to travel abroad

The Friends of Craig Hella Johnson Choir will participate in the Kingsway International Choral Festival joining with other choirs from around the world at Australia's Sydney Opera House in July of 2018. Interested in singing and travel? Read on!

The Friends of Craig Hella Johnson Choir will be comprised

primarily of singers from the central Texas area, and prospective participants should currently be performing in a choral ensemble such as a church or civic choir or actively singing on a regular basis. Craig Hella Johnson and Cina Crisara will shape the program and co-direct the choir. This choir will perform a cameo during the gala concert in addition to giving an individual performance. Spouses, significant others and friends can also sign up for the tour as non-performers.

For information about the tentative rehearsal schedule, travel and participation fees, registration, and complete KI Concerts information, visit our Friends of Craig Hella Johnson page.

Donor Spotlight: Eric Copper

A member of Conspirare's Symphonic Choir, Eric Copper is a force for good. He began his commitment to Conspirare by being part of an extraordinary group of people who have given Considering Matthew Shepard wings. Not only did he invest substantially in the success of the work, he also brought the music to his network of friends, engaged them in conversations about love and acceptance, and worked tirelessly to ensure the public has access to Considering Matthew Shepard. With his help, the second leg of the CMS tour begins on Feb 21, 2018, in Dallas, Texas; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Oxford and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In addition to his support of Conspirare and several other organizations, Eric is also an active member of the Boards of Trustees for The Long Center for the Performing Arts and Zach Theatre.

Eric Copper is well known in the Austin real estate arena. Growing up in a family of Realtors, real estate is part of his DNA. Gary Keller, founder of Keller Williams Realty International, quickly recognized Eric's leadership and emergence into the Austin market, hiring Eric in 2006 as the Broker for his flagship offices where he led over 1,600 agents and was responsible for over 7,000 transactions and $1B in sales volume annually. Returning to his roots in 2010, he is actively selling again ( https://www.livinginaustintx.com), and his accomplishments have continued to receive notoriety. Since 2012, Eric has been recognized as both the #1 Top-Selling Agent in his company of over 800 agents and ranked #5 by the Austin Business Journal. Eric is a proud member of the prestigious and exclusive Platinum Top 50 and Elite 25™ organizations.

Born and raised in Chicago, Eric relocated to Austin in 2000 and has felt at home ever since. He is actively involved in the community serving as a major contributor and volunteering his time and leadership to several non-profit organizations that he is passionate about.

In his free time, Eric enjoys a wide variety of activities such as traveling, riding his bike, boating, and skiing. You might also find him performing periodically in musicals and singing in various venues. His most treasured time is with family and friends.

Conspirare would like to thank Eric for his contributions and ongoing support.

Hidden Music

A Gala to Support Conspirare

Expect the unexpected during this breath-taking evening that weaves a tapestry of extraordinary and magical singing. Join us for this much-beloved Conspirare signature event offering refreshing, not-to-be-missed musical moments in an atmosphere of warm friendship on April 19, 2018. Cocktails, the show, and dinner are at the intimate and delightful Brazos Hall, and opportunities for table sponsorship are available.

Thank you to our 2017 sponsors, and we invite you to be a part of our 2018 circle. Your presence and participation in this event supports us in creating music that is the instrument of change and connection. Thank you!

April 19 | 6:00-9:30pm

Brazos Hall | 204 E. 4th St., Austin For more information, please visit our Hidden Music event page.

Thank You to Our Community

Conspirare Friends Unite to Support Conspirare

We are so grateful to our community for giving generously, allowing us to exceed our winter holiday appeal goal, and helping us start 2018 on strong financial footing. You are our co-creators as we welcome Dashon Burton to Austin, tour Considering Matthew Shepard, perform during Hidden Music, and sing in Bernstein 100 Austin. Thank you very much for your valued and essential support.

Be a Part of the Next 25 Years of Conspirare

Join our community of sustaining supporters

Launched to celebrate 25 years of Conspirare's artistry, Hella Circle is a community of supporters wh o believe in the transformative power of music. Inspired by the visionary performances, recordings, and special projects of Craig Hella Johnson and Conspirare, Hella Circle members are joined by their commitment to sustained support of Conspirare's next 25 years and beyond, and we are immensely grateful for their dedication. For more information, please visit our Hella Circle page.

DONATE TODAY!

Conspirare Youth Choirs

Sharing the gift of music across Austin and beyond

The singers of the Conspirare Youth Choirs under the direction of Nina Revering have been sharing their hard work, skills, talent, and time with organizations across Austin this fall. Members of the ensembles participated in a performance

for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) walk and headlined a black-tie event. The highly anticipated Breath of Heaven concerts were a highlight of the holiday, and the program prominently featured Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols. The classic was infused with contemporary pieces between movements to create a spellbinding experience. Since the winter concert, CYC members were invited to sing "Happy Birthday" for former Vice-President Walter Mondale. The event was recorded for the former Vice-President to cherish.

The choirs are relishing the experiences and sense of community from their recent engagements and looking forward to the exciting opportunities in the coming year. They will return to SWACDA for an invited performance as a headliner on March 8 in Oklahoma City's Civic Center Music Hall. And be sure to mark your calendar for their May 12th Dreamcatcher concert.

25 Years of Conspirare

Stream, download, or own a CD of your favorite recordings

Together we've shared in the joy of music for 25 years, and we've amassed an award-winning collection of recordings throughout the journey. Seventeen Christmas concerts (including the recently released 2016 concert), the Grammy ®-winning Sacred Spirit of Russia, favorite choral classics, and dazzling commissions are all available for download, and sample tracks are accessible to all through our recordings page. Choose your favorites from our 33 recordings, and enjoy the sound of Conspirare throughout the year.