Musica Sierra presents Chanticleer in a Musica of a Silent World program as part of their Musical Headwaters program
A river gurgles. Wind rushes. Branches creak. Snowflakes faintly fall. Every piece of the world has a sound. But if you listen really closely, you might also find that each of these pieces has a song. In Music of a silent world, Chanticleer sings the songs of the natural world and gives a voice to the otherwise voiceless rocks and stones and trees and rivers that share our planet with us. The program centers around a new arrangement of Majel Connery’s The Rivers are our Brothers. "The goal,” she says, “is to give nature a voice. I wanted to allow these vibrant things to speak on their own behalf." While inhabiting those voices, the program also explores what the world might be like without them. Repertoire includes music by William Byrd, Heinrich Isaac, and Max Reger, new arrangements of “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty and “The Weather” by Lawrence, and a new commission from Chanticleers's composer in residence, Ayanna Woods.
Chanticleer and Musica Sierra are co-commissioning a choral arrangement of the song cycle The Rivers are our Brothers by Majel Connery. The original intent of the piece was to, in Majel’s words, “give nature a voice” and to create an appreciation for that voice in our communities. The work was first performed in the Sierra Valley as part of Musica Sierra’s Musical Headwaters program in 2021, and Majel’s music and text are inexorably linked with that area. Each movement represents a different part of the Sierra Nevada’s natural beauty, from its mountains to its forests, rocks, rivers, and snow banks. We believe that appreciation of these natural phenomena leads to understanding and valuation, leading to caring and protection.
During our 23/24 partnership Chanticleer will present this piece as part of our national touring program in the 2023-2024 season (approximately 45 concerts); we will encourage as many people as possible to appreciate, value, and protect this unique landscape. Chanticleer is based in San Francisco, so our 12 singers know first-hand the grandeur and majesty of the Sierras, and we also feel first-hand the effects of climate change on those mighty mountains. Forest fires and drought are always on our minds, and we need everyone around the country, not just those living in California, to understand how climate change affects our livelihood. We need to foster an appreciation for our landscape in people around the country who have never experienced it.
A week of events….
Sept 28, 2023
Plumas-Sierra County
Educational performances
Sept. 29, 2023
7 pm
The Nevada Museum of Art
In Music of a Silent World, internationally recognized Chanticleer sings the songs of the natural world. Each movement represents a different part of the Sierra Nevada’s natural beauty, from its mountains to its forests, rocks, rivers, and snowbanks. This program centers around a new arrangement of Majel Connery’s, “The Rivers are Our Brothers”, co-commissioned by Chanticleer and Musica Sierra. The work was first performed in the Sierra Valley as part of Musica Sierra’s Musical Headwaters program in 2021. In the spirit of educational collaboration, local school groups participate in the performance of The Rivers are our Brothers. This particular performance will feature the University of Nevada, Reno’s Chamber Chorale.
*Doors open at 6 pm with cash bar
This program is presented as part of UPSTAGE: A Literary and Performing Art Series supported by the Nightingale Family Foundation and the Williams Foundation.
Sept 30, 2023
7 pm
Diamond S Ranch
Music in the Barn
Join us for a spectacular night of enchanting music with Grammy Award-winning choir Chanticleer. Performing in one of the Sierra Valley's oldest barns and most beautiful barns, Diamond S Ranch, will offer up the perfect venue for these angelic voices.
Music of a silent world, Chanticleer sings the songs of the natural world and gives a voice to the otherwise voiceless rocks and stones and trees and rivers that share our planet with us.
Co-commissioned with Chanticleer, their program centers around a new arrangement of Majel Connerys The Rivers are our Brothers. "The goal, she says, is to give nature a voice. I wanted to allow these vibrant things to speak on their own behalf." While inhabiting those voices, the program also explores what the world might be like without them. Repertoire includes music by William Byrd, Heinrich Isaac, and Max Reger, new arrangements of Wildflowers by Tom Petty and The Weather by Lawrence, and a new commission from Chanticleers's composer-in-residence, Ayanna Woods.
Doors at 6 PM
Show at 7 PM
Cash or card for the bar, snacks and merch