America Will Be was created in the midst of the global pandemic of 2020. As many people began a new way of life sequestered in their homes, attention and awareness of our surroundings became heightened. For many, some of the issues around inequality and injustice in the United States were placed in a global spotlight. As the world paused, we were forced to reconsider the America that we had been taught and look at the America we have been for too many. Black Lives Matter, the criminal justice system, immigration, climate change, LGBTQ rights, mental health were some of the many topics that rose to a new consciousness.
The music on America Will Be looks to speak directly to the injustices that have yet to be labeled. As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated: “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” America Will Be speaks to issues that have been quieted in our attempt to portray the United States as a beacon of opportunity. In styles as diverse as the topics, this music brings voice to the most vulnerable – to lift them up, to reflect on the reality of our society, and to sing about peace and unity. Through our song, we look toward a more perfect union for ourselves and future generations.
You Are Not Alone is a concert for the “different.” This concert speaks through the eyes of poets and artists who have dealt with mental health issues. How can we support members of our community who will be fortified by compassion, empathy, and validation? We heal and grow together through our united story and bond through singing.
Put Your Guns Down addresses issues related to gun violence in the United States, including mass shootings, police brutality, the effects on victims, and suicide prevention.
A powerful evening of music centered on the lived experiences of transgender and non-binary individuals. Under the direction of Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake, the LA-based chorus transforms the concert stage into a space of solidarity. Through original works and soulful arrangements, Just Me celebrates the resilience of our non-binary and trans community. It confronts the injustices they continue to face, and invites us to listen.
Here, care becomes chorus. Each song becomes a story, each harmony a step toward healing. Join us for a transformative night of sharing the joys, pains, and strength of finding oneself.
With a deep commitment to social change, TONALITY brings together a diverse community of voices to reflect the richness of human experience.
In this concert, Tonality uses our collective voices to speak to stories of the displaced, focusing on immigration, refugees, or the rampant experiences of homelessness. Join us as we re-center the Nativity story to highlight the spirit of “radical inclusion” and how we can expand what “home” means in our community.
The Light of Hope Returning is a concert-length “ceremony” of folk carols in which a number of Shawn Kirchner’s best-loved Christmas settings (Lo, How a Rose, Brightest and Best) are
combined with newly-penned carols on Christmas, Winter Solstice, and New Year’s themes. Together these carols form a dramatic arc that takes a listener on a journey from distant hope, through darkness, and into the rebirth of light and true hope for the future. Artist Kevork Mourad created hand-drawn animation to accompany performances of this work, which may be displayed as still images or moving pictures during the concert.
Composer: Shawn Kirchner
Animator: Kevork Mourad
Length: 20 musical movements, 4 readings, approx. 75 minutes
24 vocalists + string ensemble, animator attendance optional
Tonality is a vocal ensemble whose mission is to DELIVER AUTHENTIC STORIES through voice and body to INCITE CHANGE, UNDERSTANDING, and DIALOGUE.
