September 2022

Considering Matthew Shepard on Wall Street

Trinity Church Wall Street recently presented New York’s first fully staged performances of Craig Hella Johnson’s “epic fusion” oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard. Under the direction of Malcolm J. Merriwether, music director of the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, the oratorio offered a space for reflection, consideration, and unity around the life and legacy of the young gay man who was brutally murdered 24 years ago. Trinity Wall Street's Gothic-revival sanctuary was an inspired setting for the performance which included Conspirare singers Brian Giebler, Enrico Lagasca, and Wilson Nichols. Elliott Forrest and Rod Caspers, who created the original staging for Conspirare's production of Considering Matthew Shepard, staged-directed this production. Craig attended the closing performance and joined the cast and crew for a bow to enthusiastic audience applause.

Watch Considering Matthew Shepard at Trinity Wall Street

Refresh Your Soul with Songs for Now

“Write what you need to write right now,” Craig Hella Johnson, Conspirare’s artistic director told the 15 composers whose works for voices and string quartet will debut next month. “Write from the soil of you.” And so they did.

Hear Me Out, a special two-concert collaboration with the Miró Quartet features songs of grief, joy, sunflowers, gun violence, belonging, and love. Some works are also inspired by Beethoven, whose own compositions wrestled with loss and joy. 

Attend one or both concerts on October 7 and 8. John Largess, Miró Quartet violist, and Craig Hella Johnson share their perspectives on this project in Hear Me Out: A Creative Act for Our Time. Find concert details and meet the composers.

The concerts will be live-streamed.

Remembering John Aielli, Eclectic Radio Host

For more than 40 years, every weekday morning John Aielli whipped up a surprising offering of music and interviews on his KUT radio show “Eklektikos.” A trained vocalist and pianist himself, he often invited Conspirare onto the show to sing and promote concerts. Aielli’s boundless curiosity and wide-ranging taste made him an Austin treasure. A star-studded celebration of Aielli’s life at Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre inluded Craig Hella Johnson and Simon Barrard's musical homage including an excerpt from the Jewish prayer “Eil Malei Rachamim,” “Lascia ch’io Pianga” (G. F. Handel), and the fitting “I Could Have Danced All Night” (Frederick Lowe and Alan Jay Lerner).

 (Paramount Theatre photo by Patricia Lim)

"A Joy for Ears Craving Live Music"

KMFA’s Judlyne Lilly-Gibson invited Craig Hella Johnson to share about Conspirare’s fall performances for Stacatto (listen now) and Austin’s Sightlines (read more) featured Conspirare in its top five fall musical performances to watch for.

Fri., October 7 at 3-4:30 pm: Composition Forum with Ted Hearne and Shara Nova

Conspirare artistic director Craig Hella Johnson and composers Ted Hearne and Shara Nova will join Dr. Yevgeniy Sharlat in a lively conversation about composing in a post-genre world. Nova and Hearne will have music premiered in Hear Me Out. Butler School of Music at 2406 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, Room MRH 2.614 Parking information. Co-presented by the University of Texas Butler School of Music and Department of Composition.

Fri., October 7 at 8 pm: Hear Me Out

University Presbyterian, 2203 San Antonio, St. Austin + Livestreamed

Conspirare and the Miró Quartet come together to invoke music’s restorative power, premiering music by 15 diverse composers from across North America.

7 pm: (Pre-Concert Talk) This is Your Brain on New Music

Join Carla McElhaney and Hear Me Out composers for an exploration of how the brain experiences unfamiliar music. Discover ways to deepen our understanding of music, one another, and ourselves.

Sat., October 8 at 8 pm: Hear Me Out 

University Presbyterian, 2203 San Antonio, St. Austin + Livestreamed

Conspirare and the Miró Quartet come together to invoke music’s restorative power, premiering music by 15 diverse composers from across North America.

7 pm: (Pre-Concert Talk) New Music, The Hero’s Journey, and You 

Join Carla McElhaney and Hear Me Out composers as you imagine yourself as a listening hero on a transformational journey.

Mon. December 5 at 7:30 pm: Conspirare Christmas 

Long Center, Austin + Livestreamed

Purchase tickets now.

Regional Performances of Conspirare Christmas:

Thurs., December 1 at 7:30 pm in Victoria, TX (Presented by the Victoria Bach Festival), Tickets go on sale October 17.

Fri, December 2 at 7:30 pm in Houston, TX at St. Luke's UMC, presented by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Purchase tickets now.

All times Central unless otherwise noted.

Attention Austin-area middle and high school choir directors: If you would like to request a singer to give a talk or master class to your choir and then attend Conspirare Christmas with your students, please contact Ann McNair.

Become part of our Hella Circle with a monthly gift of $10 or more. Benefits at all levels.

Did you know you can add Conspirare to your Amazon Smile account? You can support Conspirare while shopping!

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs. Please check with your employer & double your gift.