The Tidewater Singers and Chesapeake College will present the inspirational oratorio, “Considering Matthew Shepard,” on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, 2020 in the Todd Performing Arts Center at Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Maryland at 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of William Thomas, “Considering Matthew Shepard,” composed by Craig Hella Johnson, showcases the artistry of the Tidewater Singers augmented with several new voices and a chamber orchestra.
In October of 1998, Matthew Shepard, a young, gay student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie was kidnapped, severely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in a lonely field under a blanket of stars. Five days later, when Matt passed away, the world was watching. Approaching the eve of the 20th anniversary, Craig Hella Johnson responded with his first concert-length work, “Considering Matthew Shepard.”
According to composer Craig Hella Johnson, “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.”
William Thomas, Director of Tidewater Singers, comments, “We are proud and excited to bring the power, emotion, and beauty of ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ to the Chesapeake College wider community.”
Beth Anne Langrell, CEO of For All Seasons, adds, “It’s not every day that we get to bring true recognition to social justice issues and more importantly human issue that affects us all. For All Seasons is proud to support this concert that brings our community together to take a stand and change the culture around hate crime tolerance.” She adds, “We stand with all who are working to end violence against all people and we hope that our community will join us as we stand for the healthy community that includes equality and acceptance, without judgment or hatred, for all.”
Community organizations are encouraged to support and share the performances in the following ways:
1. Come to a performance.
2. Help spread the word by passing along the information by email or using social media.
3. Purchase an ad in the program booklet.
4. Make an online donation to Tidewater Singers (tidewatersingers.org).
The Tidewater Singers, directed by William Thomas, is a select group of singers founded in 2001 to bring varied and exciting quality choral music to the Eastern Shore.
For further information about Matthew Shepard, visit conspirare.org/project/considering-matthew-shepard. Advance tickets cost $18 and are available at www.tidewatersingers.org, Crackerjacks in Easton and Edwards Pharmacy in Centreville.
Tickets will be $20 at the door and students are free. For further information on the performance, visit tidewatersingers.com; email tidewatersingers@gmail.com; or call 1-888-752-0023. These performances are funded in part by the Talbot Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council.