Noteworthy | November 2018

NOTEWORTHY | NOVEMBER 2018

A Nation Remembers and Heals

Singing Matthew Shepard Home

Thanks to the generosity of more than 400 donors, when the ashes of Matthew Shepard were laid to rest at the Washington National Cathedral last month, Conspirare was there to sing him home. The ceremony, presided by the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, Gene Robinson, was attended by more than 2,000 people and was international news . Conspirare has performed the original oratorio, “Considering Matthew Shepard ” for the past four years. Matthew Shepard, a young gay man, was beaten and left to die in a Wyoming field twenty years ago.

Conductor Craig Hella Johnson led Conspirare’s choir of 34 singers and eight instrumentalists performing during the service and the postlude, creating a space for healing and reflection.

Baritone Charles Wesley Evans, opened the service postlude with “Shall We Gather at the River.”

“I am so grateful to have been a part of this beautiful tribute,” said Evans. “I’m still spinning emotionally from this amazing month of sharing his story around the country with my unbelievably talented friends and celebrating his life in ‘Considering Matthew Shepard.’ May his spirit soar!”

Soprano Kathlene Ritch sang solos in “Meet Me Here,” “Ordinary Boy,” and “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”

“After performing in Laramie on the 20th anniversary of this tragic event,” Ritch said, “it felt like such a blessing and a sense of closure to be able to sing for Matt’s interment.”

In a poignant moment, Bishop Gene Robinson embraced Johnson during the postlude, offering warm and robust gratitude for Conspirare’s moving performance.

Over 25 Conspirare friends traveled to attend the service, while in Austin dozens gathered for a viewing party of the livestream of the ceremony.

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Warm Up Your Holidays with the Big Sing!

On Tuesday, November 27th, join the Big Sing, a free opportunity for anyone to sing with Craig and members of Conspirare. No experience needed!

The first time Omid Safavi went to the Big Sing he didn't know what to expect. It was near the mid-term election, so songs included “We Will Overcome” and “America Beautiful.” Craig reminded the group that despite the divisiveness of politics, we are united in believing in the ideals of our country. The evening ended with Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

“I felt something I haven’t felt in years,” Omid recalls. “A sense of living in the moment completely, just letting go of everything else.”

“Craig emanates peace, and everyone picks up on it,” adds Omid, who plans to bring his 6-year old daughter next time. The son of Iranian immigrants, his name means “hope” which is exactly what he rediscovered singing with Conspirare.

Conspirare Youth Sing and Grow Up Together

This summer Jacob Baird, a member of the Conspirare Youth Choir, was a featured solost in the 100 ^th anniversary celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s MASS.

Conspirare Youth Choirs spread the love of choral music to the next generation under the direction of Nina Revering, an accomplished soloist and educator. The choirs study and perform a broad repertoire, from Renaissance to jazz. Singers learn healthy vocal production, sight-singing skills, and music theory, following a proven curriculum. Singers also gain an appreciation of the beauty in poetry and melody and the joy of singing in a community of other like-minded young artists.

"Being in the choir has inspired more love for music than I imagined I had in me," says Sofia, a member of the Allegro choir.

See below for details on upcoming performances.

Learn how your child can join the Conspirare Youth Choirs.

What's Inspiring Craig

Conspirare's conductor and founder seeks inspiration for the choir's eclectic repertoire from many places. What's inspiring him now?

Richard Powers' beautiful novel The Overstory
James Baldwin's Native Son and Giovanni's Room
The podcasts Bag Man and Food for Thought
Being made an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha
Visiting my alma mater, St. Olaf College, to receive an Alumni Achievement Award where I got to reflect on how my experiences back then planted seeds for Conspirare