"Voices, Struggles, Resilience, and Power of the Feminine Spirit"


March 24 - Third Annual "Voices of Freedom" concert, Museum of African American History
April 28 - Appearances at Rosie's Place and Boston area Hospitals
July 14 - United Parish Brookline
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August 1-9 - Choralies Festival, Vaison-la-Romaine, France

- Program Structure -

The first set is inspired by Elvira Arellano, an international activist who defends the human rights of illegal immigrants living in the U.S., The set features a Salve Regina, a traditional Palestinian song about enduring struggle, and a piece by our 2018 Call for Scores finalist Nicholas Cline, based on a quote in response to the arrest of Elvira Arellano. The text reads; “They can't hurt us. God is protecting us. You just have to have faith and I will be fine and with you soon.” The set ends with the words of human rights activist Ella Baker, set to music by Bernice Johnson-Reagon of Sweet Honey in the Rock.

The second set is inspired by the self-proclaimed “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Audre Lorde. The set features a chant about healing by Hildegard von Bingen, a new work on the #MeToo movement by French composer Emmanuelle da Costa, and Joan Szymko’s setting of Lorde’s words - “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."

- Program Summary -

VOICES 21C presents their 2019 program Half the Sky, in both Boston and Vaison la Romaine, France.

Inspired by Feminism, (Merriam-Webster word of the year in 2017), Half the Sky is a choral program that speaks to the ideals surrounding the women’s movement, toward injustices that compromise the feminine spirit. We have created an artistic vision that celebrates women through music. 

This program will be performed at one of the most ​acclaimed and well-attended choral festivals in the world, “Choralies” 2019 in Vaison-la-Romaine, France. VOICES 21C will represent the United States at this festival. The concert will take place in front of an audience of approximately 6,500. The program contains primarily female composers, setting texts by women that regard women's issues.

We've prepared a program that represents music by women, and works that highlight feminine struggle and power.​