TWC Announces Premiere of “Resilience” Digital Choral Music Experience
Perseverance. Creativity. Resilience.
The Washington Chorus invites you to join them on a musical journey this June with their new digital choral experience, titled “Resilience” – combining stunning choral music, poetry, and beautifully crafted digital filmmaking.
“Resilience” is a new digital choral music experience that debuts Friday, June 11, 2021 online, then runs on-demand through Wednesday, June 30.
The Washington Chorus’ “Resilience” digital choral experience highlights the power of music and the human spirit. In collaboration with visual artist Camilla Tassi and narrator Shannon Finney, the experience includes a world premiere excerpt from the TWC commissioned work “Here's The Thing” by Rome Prize-winning poet Samiya Bashir which features The Washington Chorus and Sphinx's EXIGENCE Vocal Ensemble accompanied by Wei-Han Wu; Ralph Vaughan Williams' sublime “Serenade to Music” featuring TWC soloists and violinist Akemi Takayama; and a stirring setting of Rollo Dilworth's “Freedom's Plow” featuring Dr. Dilworth on piano and guest tenor soloist LaVonte Heard.
“When programming for this upcoming concert, I desired to have The Washington Chorus community reflect on the fortitude and strength we’ve all had to make it through this challenging season,” commented TWC Artistic Director, Dr. Eugene Rogers.
“From COVID-19, to issues of racism, to the loss of so many artistic endeavors and beyond--it was nothing but the willpower of humanity and our deep love for music and community that has kept us going. This concert is meant to be a reminder of that power and strength, especially as we prepare to begin singing together in person later this year,” Dr. Rogers continued.” Langston Hughes says ‘see the difficulties and the obstacles [..but,] keep your hand on the plow--HOLD ON!" May you be encouraged and inspired by our performance.’
JOIN US…
RESILIENCE
A new digital choral music experience
Premiere digital performance: Friday, June 11, 2021, 8 pm Eastern
On-demand thereafter through 11:59 pm on June 30, 2021
Featuring:
The Washington Chorus / Eugene Rogers, Artistic Director
Akemi Takayama, violin
LaVonte Heard, tenor
Shannon Finney, narrator
EXIGENCE Vocal Ensemble / Eugene Rogers, Artistic Director
Music by Rollo Dilworth and Ralph Vaughan Williams
Poetry by Samiya Bashir
Created in collaboration with filmmaker/digital artist Camilla Tassi
Program:
Excerpt from “Here’s The Thing” (poetry by Samiya Bashir)* world premiere excerpt
“Serenade to Music” (music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, poetry adapted from William Shakespeare)
“Freedom’s Plow” (music by Rollo Dilworth, poetry by Langston Hughes)
“Resilience” premieres as a livestream on June 11 at 8pm ET, and ticket holders will have access to the program on demand until June 30.
TWC looks forward to seeing you online for this emotionally rich performance of visual art, choral music, and poetry.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
Additional support for “Resilience” comes from the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities, National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program, and the U.S. Commission of Fine Art, as well as the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.