November 12, 2024 | Sarasota
Choral Artists of Sarasota has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with support from the Huisking Family Fund, McCauley-Brown Fund, and John J. Weiss Memorial Fund. This grant will help bring “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a powerful musical journey about the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was tragically murdered in Wyoming in 1998, to Sarasota audiences on April 5. The story is both deeply moving and uplifting, inspiring hope for a world grounded in love and acceptance.
“Considering Matthew Shepard” was composed by Craig Hella Johnson, premiered in 2016, and has been performed by more than 40 choirs across the world. This production is joined in partnership by Embracing Our Differences, Project Pride, and ALSO Youth.
Joseph Holt, artist director, says he is grateful to the Community Foundation for “strongly showing its support for artistic programs that address issues of equity and social justice. The Foundation is committed to ensuring that programs like this reach a broad audience, which is why we’re offering a half-hour presentation of ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ to 8th grade students at Community Day School and other privateschools (TBD) in April. History told through music and words has more impact, resonating beyond the single performance into awareness and change for the common good.”
The Choral Artists of Sarasota comprises some of the region’s most notable professional singers. Eight young singers, ages 16 to 22, are also invited to join the group each year, as part of the organization’s educational outreach. One of these gifted singers will be awarded the new Ann Stephenson Moe Apprentice Scholarship, a funding program to support either private lessons or vocal training at an institution of higher learning. For more information, visit ChoralArtistsSarasota.org or call 941-387-6046.
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