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Event
Draw The Circle Wide Jan 21, 2018
The Halalisa Singers presents Draw the Circle Wide: Songs of Justice and Inclusion on Saturday, January 20, 8 pm at Follen Community Church, 755 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, and on Sunday, January 21, 3 pm, Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, 239 Woburn Street, Reading. The world music choral ensemble is led by Artistic Director Mary Cunningham, accompanied by Trevor Berens, piano and Bertram Lehmann, percussion.
In times like these, The Halalisa Singers aspire to nourish souls and inspire minds in song. Draw the Circle Wide: Songs of Justice and Inclusion draws from all corners of the planet and through the myriad styles of human expression in music. With themes of inclusion and justice threaded throughout the repertoire, the audience will experience fun, hope and witness the joy of working and singing together.
Featured in the program are many contemporary choral arrangements, including the concert title piece Draw the Circle Wide by Mark Miller. The new Gospel style piece Take Down These Walls is featured by Canadian composer Brian Tate, as well as The Battle of Jericho by Moses Hogan and a stirring arrangement of People Get Ready by Curtis Mayfield. The haunting work Spiritual by Ysaye Barnwell leaves listeners mindful and refreshed.
The chorus shines the light on environmental stewardship with shape-note style Emerald Stream by Seth Houston featuring gorgeous soprano solos. Light of a Clear Blue Morning written by Dolly Parton and arranged for choir by Craig Hella Johnson delivers a message of assurance and light. The lovely arrangement of By the Waters of Babylon is by local New Hampshire musician Peter Amidon.
The concert takes a decidedly international departure in traditional Kenyan Wana Barakaand Ukuthula South African Prayer for peace; the Song of Kabir Text by Indian Poet Rabindranath Tagore and music by Elizabeth Alexander. Written as a result of a mission trip, Ukrainian Alleluia is a contemporary prayer of hope and perseverance. Cuban author Silvio RodrÃguez text is set to music by Beatriz Corona in Entre El Espanto Y La Tenura (Between Terror and Tenderness) and Neil Ginsburgs beautiful arrangement for chorus and flute of the Hebrew fool song Hine Ma Tov.
The Halalisa Singers are dedicated to the performance of music across all cultures and nationalities. Halalisa is a Zulu word for celebration, and in that spirit, the Halalisa repertoire includes African, Latin, American Spiritual, Gospel, Jewish, Folk, and Jazz music. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mary Cunningham, this Lexington-based group is now in its twenty-third year, offering performances throughout the Boston area. The group is inspired by the belief that music is a universal language with the power to uplift and unite all.
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LocationUnitarian Universalist Church of Reading (View)
239 Woburn Street
Reading, MA 01867
United States
Categories
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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