Here's what's new with Conspirare this month |
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Spring Concerts Now Available on Demand
Conspirare concluded its 20-21 in-home season with two concerts. Enjoy encore viewings of (un)Hidden Music and the season finale, Songs for Seasons, with solo performances from Stefanie Moore, Laura Mercado-Wright, Dann Coakwell, and Simon Barrad and the world premiere of Kile Smith's April Showers.
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Thank you to the co-creators who supported Songs for Seasons including H-E-B, Season Underwriter, the City of Austin Economic Development Department Cultural Arts Division, the Still Water Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and Season 20-21 In-Home Concert Sponsors Per Stirling, St. Luke's UMC Friends of Music, Texas State University Choral Department, Big Medium, Chorus Austin, Sala & Betty, and individual donors. Thank you to media sponsor KMFA 89.5 and Gusto Italian Kitchen, hospitality sponsor. Please join us in a round of applause for all the generous contributors listed in the Songs for Seasons Concert Program. |
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Craig Hella Johnson's Message of Music and Love Makes National News
Reporter Bryan Llenas captured the essence Craig's life journey and work in a powerful feature that aired earlier this month on Fox Now's America Together Pride Month series. Among the topics explored, Llenas asked Craig how he works with singers to create a unified voice. Craig responded, "When you can create a space where people feel safe to express from their natural gift authentically, that's when the real, deepest beauty begins I think." The complete feature is available online and includes footage from concerts, recording sessions, the Texas Medal of Arts awards ceremony and more.
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Bring Quarantine Madrigals into Your Classroom!
The Quarantine Madrigals Teacher Guide is now available! The guide includes background information, links to practice tracks, and ideas for discussion. These unique madrigals provide a musical opportunity to reflect on the last year as many choirs return to singing together in person.
In related news, thank you to everyone who purchased a Quarantine Madrigals score. You helped composer and poet team Reena Esmail and Amy Fogerson donate $1,000 to the CDC Foundation's Crush Covid Campaign.
All singers are invited to upload their versions to the Quarantine Madrigals YouTube page. We've had one instrumentalist upload their version, too! Feel free to get creative!
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Fall Sneak Peek - Save the Dates!
Surround yourself in the sound of Conspirare’s Grammy-winning singers this Fall at two concerts! Stay tuned for a full announcement later this summer.
Path of Miracles
Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16 in Austin, TX
“You don’t have to be religious, or even spiritual, to find adventure in Joby Talbot’s “Path of Miracles,” an hour-long piece dedicated to the famous pilgrimage. The seventeen-part harmony, set to text that’s in turns religious, historical, and poetic, is indescribably beautiful. Talbot’s piece is the choral interpretation of a month-long journey filled with excitement, doubt, revelation, fear, and triumph.” -Jill Kimball, Second Inversion
Conspirare Christmas
Monday, December 6 in Austin, TX
Guest artist, additional Texas dates and livestream date to be announced.
Conspirare Christmas reinvents the traditional holiday concert with songs of hope, courage, and love.
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Close to You (Carillon Christmas 2019) Arriving in September
Conspirare's next album features a live recording of 2019's Carillon Christmas. Enjoy the full choir along with solo performances from Mela Sarajane Dailey, Carr Hornbuckle, Stefanie Moore, Kathlene Ritch, Simon Barrad, David Kurtenbach and readings by Drayton Eggleson, Elizabeth Pétillot, and John Proft.
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Conspirare will be closed the week of July 19-23.
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Look Who's in the Spotlight |
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Each month we highlight a different artist, ambassador, staff or board member from the Conspirare family. This month we are excited to introduce you to Susanna Finnell, Conspirare's incoming Interim Board Chair.
We asked Susanna, "What are you looking forward to as Conspirare returns to live performance in the Fall?" She responded:
"I look forward to live performances this fall with great expectations! If the pandemic has taught me anything, it is that I never fully appreciated what a live performance is: a living gift from performers to a listener. An experience that can move us to the core. A moment that can never repeat itself in the same way! I loved singing with Craig in Houston years before I knew Conspirare. To work with Conspirare and its board at this opening up moment feels auspicious. We plan to move forward with fresh vigor and big dreams because this Austin-based brand belongs to the world!"
Austin has been home for Susanna since 2010. Born in Switzerland on a farm, she emigrated and earned a PhD in French Literature in Canada. Various leadership roles in higher education brought her from Washington State University, to Texas A & M University, the University of Nebraska and the University of Houston. After recovering from a serious brain injury fifteen years ago, she decided to dedicate her energy to the non-profit world with board service to the Grammy acclaimed choral ensemble Conspirare and Urban Roots.
We invite you to connect with Susanna Finnell by e-mail.
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Ways to Support Conspirare |
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Become part of our Hella Circle with a monthly gift of $10 or more. Benefits at all levels.
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Did you know you can add Conspirare to your Amazon Smile account? You can support Conspirare while shopping! |
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Many employers sponsor matching gift programs. Please check with your employer & double your gift.
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Thank You to the Generous Supporters Who Bring Conspirare's Song to Life |
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www.conspirare.org I 512.474.5664 |
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