Resonance Commissions | Normal Never Was
Music video for Normal Never Was. Produced by Oh! Creative
Commission information
Composer: Jasmine Barnes
Text: Sonya Renee Taylor
Conductor: Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon
Duration: ca. 5’00”
Instrumentation: SATB
Performances:
Earth’s Protection (June 9th, 2023) - live premiere
Commissions for Now (April 21st, 2021) - film premiere
Commission story
In the Spring of 2021, as things continued to be challenging for the arts, Resonance Ensemble introduced “Commissions for Now,” a video series that premiered commissioned works from three nationally recognized poets/composers and performed by Resonance artists and collaborators.
The series was produced by Oh! Creative and captured by Portland filmmaker Kenny Hamlett. Our commitment to present work that highlights underrepresented voices and reflects pressing social issues remains unwavering. The Commission for Now project is just one example of that commitment—we are thrilled to present these dynamic composers who have created this incredible music.
About Normal Never Was
Resonance Ensemble performers on the set of Normal Never Was.
Composer Jasmine Barnes
Normal Never Was features the poetry of noted author and social activist Sonya Renee Taylor and the commissioned music of now Emmy-award winning composer, Jasmine Barnes. Taken from the poem that reached thousands of readers in the early pandemic, Resonance adopted “Normal Never Was” as the theme for the 2020-21 season, with the permission of Sonya Renee Taylor.
“Setting Sonya Renee Taylor’s words to music was my honor. When I read her poem, I heard the music right away. The text speaks to life pre-pandemic — and the opportunity we now have to fix what was wrong. It’s hopeful to me.”