BraveSouls & Dreamers

One Voice Mixed Chorus—Minnesota's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and straight allies chorus—opens its 2011-2012 season with BraveSouls & Dreamers. This is an inspirational concert celebrating the lives of visionary leaders who have challenged prejudice and violence: Harvey Milk, Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Judy Shepard and more. Featuring music by Bob Dylan, Holly Near, Stephen Sondheim, the premiere of BraveSouls and Dreamers was arranged especially for One Voice and inspired by the words of peacemakers from around the globe! One Voice is excited to perform at Hopkins High School Auditorium in Minnetonka for this performance. This will be the third time the chorus has performed in this venue; its size is well suited to accommodate our 90-voice chorus as well as the multi-media elements of the concert. The concert will be performed on January 21, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and January 22, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.

BraveSouls and Dreamers celebrates inspirational leaders who have worked to end violence, promote healing, and confront all forms of discrimination in their communities, including homophobia. The narrative arc of the concert is carried through choral music, but interspersed throughout the performance will be photographs and stories featuring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Harvey Milk, and Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard. Musical selections urge listeners to take a stand against fear and prejudice, calling instead for members of our community to seek connections between cultures, and to celebrate the wonderful diversity in our world. Featured works include Holly Near’s Change of Heart, Stephen Sondheim’s Children Will Listen, and Judy Small’s Influenced by Queers, plus works by Bob Dylan, Lebo Morake and music written in the “shape note” tradition.

A particular highlight is the mixed-chorus premiere of BraveSouls and Dreamers. This ten-movement work is inspired by the words of Gandhi, Jesus, Mother Teresa, Isaiah, Jimmy Carter, Confucius, Buddha, and the Qur’an and was composed “in response to current raging wars.” It was commissioned by the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus in 2007 and composed by Robert Seeley with text by his partner, Robert Espindola. One Voice has commissioned the composer to re-cast the work for a mixed chorus for a premiere here in the Twin Cities. The powerful 43-minute multi-movement piece is scored for chorus, instrumental ensemble, and four soloists including voices of the Mother, Sage and two soldiers.

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"It has been thrilling to work with Robert Seeley in preparing this commission and in rehearsal with the chorus; his music powerfully portrays the wrenching emotions of individuals caught in a state of violence, but even more powerfully offers a sense of hope for a world without violence and fear.”

—Jane Ramseyer Miller, Artistic Director