I feel changed, energized, encouraged, also stuck in a place of wonder that is an inspirational gift I haven't felt in a long time."
The 2017 Program: "Here I Am"
April 9th, 2017 - The Vilna Shul, Beacon Hill
May 11th, 2017 - The Space, Jamaica Plain
August 2017 - Israel and Palestine
September 2017 - "Israel, Palestine: Song and Struggle" Arlington Street
October 2017 - "The Concert for Social Justice" Sharon, MA
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Go ahead. Try it.Whatever comes to your mind. Let it escape your lips as you say:
"Here I Am, [name], _____________" How do you present yourself? Is it biased, favorable, cynical, enlightening? |
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Twenty-two singers stepped off the plane into the heated air of Tel-Aviv. We travelled in three large groups by train and bus to Shefa-‘Amr, a town in Galilee, near Nazareth. Our time in Israel and Palestine began: four days in Shefa-‘Amr, hosted by Palestinian families in the Al- Baath choir.
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AkkoClosing out the Zimriya Choral FestivalOur first public appearance brought us to the medieval crusader city of Akko, Israel, closing out the Zimriya Choral Festival with a standing ovation, hugs, and conversation.
"I have no words. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is what the world needs to hear, from wonderful young people like you." |
NazarethA meeting with Combatants for Peace, and Performance with the Al-Baath Choir of Shefa-'AmrCollaboration fueled our time together, performing with the Al-Baath choir of Shefa-‘Amr at the Basilica of Jesus Christ the Adolescent in Nazareth, with proceeds helping to repair the emergency wing of a local children’s hospital.
Earlier that same day, we had a meeting with the non-profit organization Combatants for Peace, discussing their response to the history and current reality in Israel and the State of Palestine. |
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YavnePerformance with Gospel Choir Kol and SoulThe second phase of our tour was located in the Old City of Jerusalem. Shortly after our arrival in Jerusalem, we took part in a collaborative concert with a Jewish gospel choir Kol & Soul under the direction of Jua Amir.
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The Jerusalem Academy of Music and DanceChoral Workshop with the Jerusalem Academy Chamber Choir, in collaboration with Stanley SperberWe were fortunate to participate in a public workshop at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, together with the Jerusalem Academy of Music Chamber Choir the following night with a new performance perspective, and joyous collaboration with renowned conductor Stanley Sperber.
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Workshop with the Amwaj ChoirVOICES 21C Children's Choral Workshop with the Amwaj ChoirThe next day saw us go through the wall to the West Bank, where we gave a children’s choral workshop in Bethlehem with the Amwaj Choir, comprising of students from both Hebron and Bethlehem.
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The Church of the Holy Nativity, BethlehemPerformance at the Church of the Holy NativityFollowing our choral workshop, V21C gave a performance of "Here I Am" in the Church of the Holy Nativity, for an audience mainly consisting of Palestinian children.
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Last Day in JerusalemPerformance in Collaboration with the YMCA Jerusalem Youth ChorusOn our tour’s final day we collaborated with the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus, a chorus of Israeli and Palestinian youth, founded by Micah Hendler.
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The Follow Up |
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FULL PROGRAM PREMIERE: MAY 11TH 2017
The Space: 128 Brookside Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA
Out of Chaos....................................VOICES 21C
This aleatoric, improvisatory piece depicts an awakening from chaos.
O Clap Your Hands, Psalm 47....................Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
Gibbon's text is both joyful and hopeful, serving as a reminder to us that the subduing and kinship that God exercises is one of servanthood rather than of domination and tyranny.
Komm, susser Tod, BWV 478.....................Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Alto Soloist, Emily Jaworski
Immortal Bach......................Bach/Knut Kystedt
A sonic deconstruction of Bach's original chorale. The piece moves at it's own organic pace based on the impulse of the choral body.
Guds Son Har Gjort Mig Fri........................Edward Grieg (1843-1907)
From the Fire Salmer, Op. 74
Tenor Soloist, Trey Pratt
Here the theme is transformed into a cry for liberation, a release from the wounds of mortal existence. In Komm, Susser Tod, "Here I am" speaks eloquently as a preparation for death. In Guds Son Har Gyort Mig Fri, "Here I Am" means to take me away, lead me to peace and set me free.
Shir Moledet....................Osnat Netzer (1979-)
from Paths of Stone and Water
Boston-based composer Osnat Netzer creates a sense of place, the land, physically, spiritually and metaphorically. In choosing to sing the Hebrew homeland song, Shir Moledet, we commit ourselves to engaging in a deeper understanding of the contested nature of land not only in Israel and Palestine, but also in the United States of America.
We.....................................Cheryl B. Englehardt
Voices 21c Alto chorister and Grammy Nominated singer-songwriter, Cheryl B. Englehardt, captures the thematic essence of "I Am" in her song about relationships. The statement "I am the other half of we," may be extended more broadly to a view of humanity in that "I am" is always in the context of others.
Would You Harbor Me?.......Ysaye M. Barnwell (1946-)
We live in a time when an unprecedented 65 million people throughout the world are refugees, and where, closer to home, thousands of Americans are rendered homeless and harbor-less. The question of whom we welcome into our homes and into our hearts has become a burning one for both citizens and politicians alike.
Salawat/Dona Nobis Pacem...................Hussein Janmohamed (1969-)
The Salawat his a Muslim prayer. The chant text aligns with the Christian latin granting us peace.
Tala Al Badru Alayna..........................Traditional/Raafay Khan
Muslim call to prayer and one of the oldest songs in the Islamic hymnody. It was reputed to have been sung to welcome the prophet, Mohammed, to Medina.
Soleram...........................arr. Ivan Yohan (1975-)
Traditional Sumatran/Riau Song from Indonesia.
Adinu............................................................arr. Shireen Abu-Khader & Andre de Quadros
A thirteenth century text calling for the "religion of love."
Unclouded Day .....arr.Shawn Kirchner (1970-)
from Heavenly Home: Three American Songs
During this uplifting song, the choir presents an enormous gesture of hope and yearning. The theme, "Here, I Am" returns, represented by a land with no storm clouds. Imagine if you will, that a metaphorical heaven is beckoning.
This Land is Your Land................Woody Guthrie (1912-1967)
The iconic cry for environmental and social stewardship, transformed.
The Space: 128 Brookside Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA
Out of Chaos....................................VOICES 21C
This aleatoric, improvisatory piece depicts an awakening from chaos.
O Clap Your Hands, Psalm 47....................Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)
Gibbon's text is both joyful and hopeful, serving as a reminder to us that the subduing and kinship that God exercises is one of servanthood rather than of domination and tyranny.
Komm, susser Tod, BWV 478.....................Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Alto Soloist, Emily Jaworski
Immortal Bach......................Bach/Knut Kystedt
A sonic deconstruction of Bach's original chorale. The piece moves at it's own organic pace based on the impulse of the choral body.
Guds Son Har Gjort Mig Fri........................Edward Grieg (1843-1907)
From the Fire Salmer, Op. 74
Tenor Soloist, Trey Pratt
Here the theme is transformed into a cry for liberation, a release from the wounds of mortal existence. In Komm, Susser Tod, "Here I am" speaks eloquently as a preparation for death. In Guds Son Har Gyort Mig Fri, "Here I Am" means to take me away, lead me to peace and set me free.
Shir Moledet....................Osnat Netzer (1979-)
from Paths of Stone and Water
Boston-based composer Osnat Netzer creates a sense of place, the land, physically, spiritually and metaphorically. In choosing to sing the Hebrew homeland song, Shir Moledet, we commit ourselves to engaging in a deeper understanding of the contested nature of land not only in Israel and Palestine, but also in the United States of America.
We.....................................Cheryl B. Englehardt
Voices 21c Alto chorister and Grammy Nominated singer-songwriter, Cheryl B. Englehardt, captures the thematic essence of "I Am" in her song about relationships. The statement "I am the other half of we," may be extended more broadly to a view of humanity in that "I am" is always in the context of others.
Would You Harbor Me?.......Ysaye M. Barnwell (1946-)
We live in a time when an unprecedented 65 million people throughout the world are refugees, and where, closer to home, thousands of Americans are rendered homeless and harbor-less. The question of whom we welcome into our homes and into our hearts has become a burning one for both citizens and politicians alike.
Salawat/Dona Nobis Pacem...................Hussein Janmohamed (1969-)
The Salawat his a Muslim prayer. The chant text aligns with the Christian latin granting us peace.
Tala Al Badru Alayna..........................Traditional/Raafay Khan
Muslim call to prayer and one of the oldest songs in the Islamic hymnody. It was reputed to have been sung to welcome the prophet, Mohammed, to Medina.
Soleram...........................arr. Ivan Yohan (1975-)
Traditional Sumatran/Riau Song from Indonesia.
Adinu............................................................arr. Shireen Abu-Khader & Andre de Quadros
A thirteenth century text calling for the "religion of love."
Unclouded Day .....arr.Shawn Kirchner (1970-)
from Heavenly Home: Three American Songs
During this uplifting song, the choir presents an enormous gesture of hope and yearning. The theme, "Here, I Am" returns, represented by a land with no storm clouds. Imagine if you will, that a metaphorical heaven is beckoning.
This Land is Your Land................Woody Guthrie (1912-1967)
The iconic cry for environmental and social stewardship, transformed.
Our collaboration with the Zamir Chorale of Boston and the Boston Community Gospel Choir brought music from
the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim worlds together at Boston's center for Jewish Culture.
[Voices 21C's program consisted entirely of Muslim music featuring excerpts of their 2017 program, "Here I Am."]
the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim worlds together at Boston's center for Jewish Culture.
[Voices 21C's program consisted entirely of Muslim music featuring excerpts of their 2017 program, "Here I Am."]
