NEW COMMISSION CONSORTIUM PROJECT

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You may or may not know that the murder of transgender women of color is a grossly under-reported epidemic in American society. This commission, through GALA Choruses, will be the first in a series of pieces by two trans women of color: Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi (lyricist) and Mari Esabel Valverde (composer) to bring attention to this important topic. Click here for more information. THE NEW DEADLINE IS MARCH 1st.

NEW COMMISSION CONSORTIUM PROJECT

Artists: Mari Esabel Valverde & Dane Figueroa Edidi

Did you know that “The senseless killing of trans women” is a rampant problem in American society? (source: Marsha P. Johnson Institute)

Vision of the Work:

  • The first in a series of choral pieces addressing the epidemic of violence, especially murders, of transgender women and in particular trans women of color (TWOC). We hope that this inspires conversations aimed at cultivating intentional solidarity with TWOC with a work created by two trans women of color. The vision is that this composition will eventually become one movement in a larger work. According to our artistic collaborators: “It’s not just one work. It’s a movement. It’s not just about honoring lives. It’s about saving lives.”
  • Length of the Musical Work = ca. 4 minutes
  • For SATB, with SSAA and/or TTBB voicings available
  • To premiere in the 2021-2022 concert season/academic year. Choruses will receive scores no later than January 1, 2021
  • Text to be written/compiled by Dane Figueroa Edidi
  • Music to be written by Mari Esabel Valverde

Extension and Activism

  • Conversation surrounding the work is necessary and can be extremely powerful in education and activism. Ideas include, but are not limited to:
    • partnering with local organizations, schools, churches, etc.
    • coordinating composer and/or poet talks at the premiere(s) of the work, etc.
    • e-activism involving the distribution of the premiere video/audio recording
  • Option for partnerships facilitated between high-school/collegiate choirs and GALA LGBTQ Choruses (www.GalaChoruses.org)
  • Educational materials connected to the work will be provided for participating choruses.

Cost

Commissioning choruses pay a sliding fee of $300-750 to support the commission process. Includes score and curriculum for high school singers. This commission is offered free of charge to any trans chorus

Deadline to commit to the project is February 1, 2020 March 1, 2020.

To state your commitment to this project, please click here (Google form).

For more information, please email Joshua Palkki at josh.palkki@gmail.com.