Chicago Choral Artists will present Craig Hella Johnson's Considering Matthew Shepard in three performances:
Friday, April 29, 7:30 PM at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Belmont, Chicago
Saturday, April 30, 7:30 PM at Grace Lutheran Church 7300 West Division, River Forest
Sunday, May 1, 4:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church 7300 West Division, River Forest
Considering Matthew Shepard explores the life, death and legacy of Matthew Shepard. With Artistic Director Michael Costello leading from the keyboard, CCA will be joined by a diverse ensemble of musicians to bring this work to Chicago and River Forest. A three-part fusion oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard speaks with a fresh and bold voice, incorporating a variety of musical styles seamlessly woven into a unified whole. Johnson sets a wide range of poetic and soulful texts by poets including Hildegard of Bingen, Lesléa Newman, Michael Dennis Browne, and Rumi. Passages from Matt's personal journal, interviews and writings from his parents Judy and Dennis Shepard, newspaper reports, and additional texts by Johnson and Browne are poignantly appointed throughout the work.
In October of 1998, Matthew Shepard, a young, gay student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie was kidnapped, severely beaten, and tied to a fence. He died five days later. Approaching the eve of the 20th anniversary, Craig Hella Johnson responded with his composition, Considering Matthew Shepard.
"Matt Shepard and his story have led me on an inspiring, challenging and deeply meaningful journey that I continue to this day. In composing Considering Matthew Shepard I wanted to create, within a musical framework, a space for reflection, consideration and unity around his life and legacy."
Craig Hella Johnson, composer
Tickets available in advance or at the door: Adult $45, Senior $40, Student $25.
Visit www.chicagochoralartists.org or call 773-658-9799.
Parking for St. Luke Church Performances is free and available in the parking structure behind the building. Enter from Melrose Street (1501 W. Melrose)
Parking for Grace Lutheran Church Performances is free and available on the streets surrounding the church as well as in the parking structure directly south of the building on Bonnie Brae.
Chicago Choral Artists is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501 [c](3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Chicago Choral Artists is partially supported by The Saints, and by grants from The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council.