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 TWIN CITIES CHORAL COMMUNITY TO PRESENT “VOICES RISING: A CHORAL AFFIRMATION OF BLACK LIVES”
Twelve-chorus collaboration to be livestreamed June 16 at 7 PM CST on YourClassical MPR   

 MINNEAPOLIS—May 20, 2021—Voices Rising: A Choral Affirmation of Black Lives, is a collaboration of 12 local choral organizations that is a united artistic response to the murders of George Floyd and Daunte Wright that have placed the Twin Cities at the heart of our nation’s racial reckoning.  

The event, curated and led by G. Phillip Shoultz III, Associate Conductor and Director of Learning and Engagement at VocalEssence, featuring Joe Davis and The New Renaissance, Jayanthi Rajasa, and Jovonta Patton, will amplify the perspectives of spoken word, dance, and visual artists and activists from the Twin Cities’ Black community. This concert will be streamed free of charge from Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, and broadcast on YourClassical MPR (99.5 FM, YourClassical.org) on June 16. The concert will be the opening night concert of Chorus America’s 2021 Summer Conference.  

The concert will feature nearly 200 singers drawn from these 12 music organizations, whose singers will be observing relevant COVID guidelines. Participating singers will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue around our nation’s broader racial reckoning. The Twin Cities choral organizations featured include:  

• Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs: angelicacantanti.org 
• Border CrosSing: bordercrossingmn.org 
• Cantus: cantussings.org 
• ComMUSICation: commusicationmn.org 
• Magnum Chorum: magnumchorum.org 
• Minnesota Boychoir: boychoir.org 
• Minnesota Chorale & Minneapolis Youth Chorus: mnchorale.org and mnchorale.org/myc  
• National Lutheran Choir: ncla.com 
• One Voice Mixed Chorus: onevoicemn.org 
• The Singers: singersmca.org 
• Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus: tcgmc.org 
• VocalEssence including the VocalEssence Singers of This Age: vocalessence.org 

Drawing on repertoire from such celebrated Black composers as Ysäye Barnwell, Rosephanye Powell, Melanie DeMore, Rollo Dilworth, Alysia Lee, and Joel Thompson, Mr. Shoultz envisions a program that strives to “acknowledge injustices, promote dialogue, and support healing in our community.”   

“The purpose of this concert is to sing truth to power, say the names of those whose lives were violently taken away, hold space for our collective grief and trauma, and share our voices in ways that promote healing, invite dialogue, and call us into action,” Mr. Shoultz continued.  

The 12 participating singing organizations represent a range of ages, artistic focus, and diversity that celebrates the richness of Minnesota’s singing communities, in a state often referred to as the “Land of 10,000 Choirs.”   

Catherine Dehoney, president and CEO of Chorus America shared that “Chorus America is proud to be collaborating with a cohort of choruses to create Voices Rising: A Choral Affirmation of Black Lives, led by G. Phillip Shoultz, III. When Phillip approached us with this idea, we were inspired by his vision for the way choral music could be part of transforming and healing a community, especially in partnership with other Twin Cities artists. Phillip is one of our field’s leaders in addressing issues of access, diversity, equity, and inclusion and we hope this program inspires continued meaningful work within the choral community.”   

YourClassical is a collection of curated classical music listening experiences produced by Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. YourClassical provides audiences with the music they love through terrestrial broadcasts and multiple web-based platforms. Nationally syndicated YourClassical programs include Pipedreams, SymphonyCast, Composers Datebook and Performance Today, and are in addition to the Choral, Radio, Lullaby, Relax, Peaceful Piano, and Holiday audio streams that can be found at YourClassical.org. Regional music programming produced by YourClassical MPR is a trusted companion for listeners across Minnesota on broadcast radio, online and live events. YourClassical MPR’s Kid’s Initiatives strives to inspire the next generation of music fans and artists through in-school learning experiences, educational content, and resources for teachers and parents. Each week, nearly 2.75 million people engage with YourClassical. Feel better. Live bigger. Learn more and listen at yourclassical.org. 

Orchestra Hall, home of the Minnesota Orchestra, is located in downtown Minneapolis and known for its modern design and acoustical brilliance. Learn more at minnesotaorchestra.org. 

Chorus America is the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. Chorus America supports and serves choral conductors, administrators, board members, and singers with tools, training, peer networking, and access so that choruses are better able to contribute to their communities. Learn more at chorusamerica.org. 

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