Quarry Songs, A Cycle for Change by Brett Wery and Liebeslieder Waltzes by Johannes Brahms

Special performance featuring School of Music Alumni and Faculty.

This performance is free. Audience members must wear masks.

Featuring:

• Areli Mendoza-Pannone, soprano
• Nicole Rizzo, mezzo-soprano
• Jacob James, tenor
• Robert Frazier, baritone
• Mark Evans and Phuc (Brian) Vo, piano

Compositions based on poems for social justice and change:

• Hammering on Rocks text by Joseph Ross
• Normal text by Reginald Harris
• My Body Holds Stones text by Laura Tohe
• The Museum of Stones text by Carolyn Forché

“These are works of courage, honesty, and craftsmanship and I’m humbled by the writer’s trust and generosity as I attempt to add a dimension to their work that is worthy of the source. The poems represent varied American perspectives of the artifacts of human existence and the trajectory of our culture(s), the human capacity to grow numb to suffering, the weight and cost of identity—self-imposed and projected—on ourselves, our nation, and our children. Most importantly the poems witness our power to change the world through art. I chose poets whose voices represent not only suppressed perspectives but also the voices of Americans born of privilege, willing to use the power of art to focus the readers’ minds on the rough truths of our shared history as Americans.”

–  Brett L. Wery, Composer and retired Dean of the School of Music