Melissa Dunphy's American DREAMers was commissioned by Philadelphia community choir PhilHarmonia (Mitos Andaya Hart, Director) to bring to light the stories of immigrants in the wake of anti-immigrant rhetoric during and after the 2016 election. Five texts from five young Americans who were brought to America as children were chosen—Marlene Rangel, Javier Zamora, Janine Joseph, Julia Montejo, and Claudia D. Hernández—and those texts were woven into a multi-movement work that honors their story and inspires hope, empathy, and action. (Note by Melissa Dunphy)
Recorded in concert on October 20, 2019
Melissa Dunphy (b. 1980): American DREAMers
Marlene Part 1
Dancing in Buses
Marlene Part 2
More milk, more milk makes it better
Marlene Part 3
#UndocuJoy
Marlene Part 4
#UnitedWeDream
Artistic Director Matthew Culloton interviews founding choir member and Music Adviser Bryan Blessing as they recall a March 2020 performance – one that turned out to be the choir’s last concert before the Coronavirus shutdown. Program recorded March 2020: Abbie Betinis: Carol of the Stranger Melissa Dunphy: Dancing in Buses (from American DREAMers) Craig Hella Johnson: The Innocence (from Considering Matthew Shepard) Jocelyn Hagen: Needle and Thread (from This is How You Love) Timothy Takach: Earth (from Helios) Craig Hella Johnson: All of Us (from Considering Matthew Shepard) Performers: The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists; Matthew Culloton, conductor; Steve Swanson, piano; Bruce Broquist, baritone (The Innocence) ...
Matthew Culloton welcomes alto Jess Bandelin to share reflections on how art intersects with life – and in particular, she recalls performing in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012. One of the musical balms came through the poetry of e.e. Cummings (“little tree”), captured so poignantly by Steve Heitzig, painting the image of children holding hands and dancing around the Christmas tree – a sad reminder of those lost, but also a hopeful reminder that love conquers all. A world premiere performance is shared from Bob Sieving based on Shakespeare’s text from Hamlet, “So hallowed and so gracious is the time.” Program repertoire includes: Frank Ferko: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (from A Festival of Carols) Holst/Abbie Betinis, arr.: In the Bleakmidwinter Steve Heitzig: little tree Bob Sieving: So hallowed and so gracious is the time (world premiere performance) Stephen Paulus, arr.: The First Noel Incidental music by Aaron David Miller All music recorded live in concert and performed by The Singers, Matthew Culloton, conductor. Learn more at www.singersmca.org. ...
Artistic Director Matthew Culloton shares a Christmas playlist of carols and original works that he has arranged for The Singers and the House of Hope Motet Choir. All performances are by The Singers, except for What Child is This (the HOH Motet Choir and the Bach Chamber Players). All scores are published by MorningStar Music unless noted: The Sussex Carol (Graphite Publishing) The Holly and the Ivy Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day It Came Upon a Midnight Clear In the Bleak Midwinter What Child is This? (manuscript) God’s Mother Be Away in a Manger The Wexford Carol Angels We Have Heard on High In Dulci Jubilo Still, Still, Still Gabriel’s Message Make We Joy Now in this Fest Kling, no klokka O Little Town of Bethlehem We Three Kings Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Playlist: 67:15 ...
