Resonance Commissions | An African American Requiem

LISTEN TO FULL PREMIRE BROADCAST HERE

Commission story

Commissioned by Resonance Ensemble in 2017, An African American Requiem is a pivotal work which memorializes the lives of Black Americans lost to racial violence in the united States—the first requiem of its kind. Geter approached Resonance Ensemble Artistic Director Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon about his idea for the work following the results of the 2016 election. Working closely with FitzGibbon, Geter composed a fully-realized requiem—including SATB soloists, a large choir, narration, and full orchestra.

In addition to commissioning Geter, Resonance Ensemble also provided support to commission Dr. S. Renee Mitchell to write original text for the last movement—which is narrated live over the orchestra. The piece also uses texts from victims of racial violence, Black rights activists, and traditional spirituals and Latin mass texts. The completed work is 19 movements, two of which include previous Resonance Ensemble commissions (There’s a Man Going ‘Round and Agnus Dei). One of the largest pieces commissioned by Resonance Ensemble, the project was further amplified by All Classical Radio—which broadcast the work live and provided substantial support for syndicated broadcasts across the country in the months following the initial premiere.

Originally planned to premiere in 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic pushed the performance to May of 2022—allowing Resonance Ensemble more time to further maximize the impact of the Requiem through the development of a robust education component. Organized by Resonance Ensemble and developed by educator Judy A. Rose, writer and activist Dr. S. Renee Mitchell, artistic director Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon, Portland Public Schools VAPA Director Kristen Brayson, and Oh! Creative Productions, the curriculum provided both printed and digital components to students to prepare them for the Requiem premiere—teaching vital context, vocabulary, and local history to further enhance their understanding and appreciation of the culminating field trip to attend the world premiere.

With the depth of community outreach and education, the complexities of preparing this substantial work and subsequent recording, and the long-term goals of this commission, Resonance Ensemble assembled an Advisory Committee consisting of artists, activists, and community leaders from around Portland.

The commissioned work, premiered in Oregon, has gone on to a successful run of performances at the Kennedy Center (east coast premiere), and with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Geter himself)—even being named “Best in Classical” by the Washington Post in 2022. You can see a full list of resources—including videos, interviews, full programs, the curriculum, and more at the link here.

About AN AFRICAN AMERICAN REQUIEM

This revolutionary piece is truly an intersection of art and
current culture. Damien Geter has masterfully curated this renaissance on a canvas of our consciousness and our necessary call to duty. This Requiem is as it should be-sobering and bold. A Thank You is in order, from me and from you, for his courage and vision, and for the hope it instills in our community. The work is a most salient reminder of our struggle, of where it began, how far we have come and the promise that rests in where we are headed.

Hostility and strife prevail, a seeming disregard for life and a conjuring of the pain of past atrocities. Devaluation of Black lives. This continued denigration of our culture, of black men and women, and sometimes of black children, must stop. The communal impact of generational and systemic discrimination over time is loss of confidence and a diminished will power. That is the unfortunate truth. This requiem defies that truth. It beckons from our souls a sense of fresh optimism so listen for it between the notes. Let that resonance overcome. Damien Geter presents a powerful and eclectic arrangement that reassures us of the courage of the likes of Ida B Wells. He shines a light on the truth that is the revolution of each movement. History bears witness to Beethoven’s monumental influence on symphony; the impact of emotions on classical music, and this Requiem illuminates the fire on that torch; it heightens all of ours.

Where others had stood up and spoken out, today this composer with unmatched creative genius has made his mark by gifting the world with a remarkable musical transcription. A war song. An anthem. Through moments of deep reflection you’ll come to appreciate that this Requiem is no dirge. It is a sacred call. Every chord striking a memory of all of the souls of our dearly departed from whom life was unjustly taken. A reckoning of love and hope. This work will revolutionize our path to activism. It is pacesetting classical music. Other greats have left their mark, and I am certain so will this maestro.  

James Baldwin said it best, “you write to change the world…” Damien Geter was born to write this masterpiece, and it will change how we show up in the world.

written by A. Mimi Sei

Additional Resources

Learn more about this substantial new work—and the people who made it possible

Return to Commissions Gallery

Only in Falling | Poet-in-Residence | The Talk | LISTEN | Safe Harbor
We Hold Your Names Sacred | After Time Has Gnawed | Normal Never Was
Abya Yala | An African American Requiem
We Are Murmurs | Seek What You Want to Find | RE-FLEC | Shout Out
From the Book of Sankofa | Seven Prayers