Resonance Ensemble Introduces “Commissions for Now”

A series of commissioned new works that shine a light on injustices and feature celebrated composers 

PORTLAND — After what continues to be a challenging year for the arts, Portland’s Resonance Ensemble introduces “Commissions for Now,” an exciting new video series that premieres commissioned works from three nationally recognized composers performed by Resonance artists and collaborators and captured by Portland filmmaker Kenny Hamlett.

“Although live music has mostly been silenced by this pandemic, Resonance Ensemble will not stay silent,” says Artistic Advisor Damien Geter, one of the three commissioned composers. “Commissions for Now imagines a new path forward and shines a light on injustice.” 

The series opens 7PM Wednesday, March 31, 2021, with a piece by the notable choral composer Jasmine Barnes, whose multifaceted works frequently address questions of race and religion. Here she sets the powerful words of social activist and writer Sonya Renee Taylor, in “Normal Never Was,” the words that reached thousands of readers in the early pandemic and that Resonance has adopted as its theme for this season, with the permission of Sonya Renee Taylor.

The second video features a “sneak peek” excerpt from Damien Geter’s eagerly-anticipated work An African American Requiem, a bold, thought-provoking musical response to racial violence against African Americans (commissioned by Resonance Ensemble and presented jointly with the Oregon Symphony). This excerpt features the four soloists in the Requiem: soprano Brandie Sutton, mezzo-soprano Karmesha Peake, tenor Bernard Holcomb, and baritone Kenneth Overton. Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon remarks, “While we, and our audiences, wait for the rescheduled world premiere of the full concert-length Requiem in May 2022, we’re thrilled to be able to share this virtual premiere of a single movement. This brilliant music and its necessary message need to be heard now.” 

The series concludes with the world premiere of We Hold Your Names Sacred, by award-winning composer Mari Ésabel Valverde and author/playwright Dane Figueroa Edidi. This work will share perspectives of transgender women of color and reflect on losses due to violence against the trans community. Resonance will present this premiere in partnership with Pride Northwest as an event taking place during Pride Weekend. 

FitzGibbon notes, “As an organization, our commitment to commission and present new work highlighting underrepresented voices and reflecting pressing social issues remains unwavering. The Commissions for Now project exemplifies that commitment, and we are thrilled to present these dynamic new works by three phenomenal composers in innovative new videos.” 

The videos will be filmed with strict COVID safety measures in place. The filmmaker Kenny Hamlett will direct the videos, sharing footage of the performers as well as a vision of the stories being shared in each new work

Viewers can view each pre-recorded episode as it premieres on Resonance Ensemble’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit resonancechoral.org/commissions-for-now

COMMISSIONS FOR NOW: 

7PM PT WEDS, MARCH 31, 2021—Episode 1: Normal Never Was
7PM PT THURS, MAY 13, 2021—Episode 2: “Offertory” from An African American Requiem      
7PM PT WEDS, JUNE 16, 2021—Episode 3: We Hold Your Names Sacred

Meet our artistic team:

Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon
Artistic Advisor and composer Damien Geter
Composer Jasmine Barnes
Composer Mari Ésabel Valverde
Author playwright Dane Figueroa Edidi
Author Sonya Renee Taylor      

BECOME A SEASON SUPPORTER! In lieu of traditional subscription packages, Resonance is asking those who are able to support Resonance in whatever amount they can. The contributions of our Season Supporters bring timely new musical works to life, for free, for global audiences. Supporters can receive incentives including branded masks, T-shirts, and special invitations to exclusive events, including a behind-the-scenes seat at the filming of the final episode of Under the Overpass.

“We realize that times are hard for so many, and that art is a fundamental right that should be available to everyone—especially now,” says Resonance Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon. “It is our hope that those who can will join us to support the new, pivotal works Resonance is producing, that is being created and performed by artists who are responding to these times. I am excited to see what the future brings for all of us.”

For more information about Commissions for Now and to become a Season Supporter, visit resonancechoral.org or contact RE’s Box Office, (503) 427-8701. 

Special thanks to our sponsors Ronni Lacroute, Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Community Foundation, Miller Foundation, Collins Foundation, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and to our individual donors, including donors to the Dinah Dodds Fund for the Creation of New Art. 

Note to Journalists: Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon and Artistic Advisor Damien Geter are available for print, online, and broadcast interviews. If you would like more information on our season or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Liz Bacon Brownson at liz@resonancechoral.org or by calling 503.427.8701.

About Resonance Ensemble

In its twelfth season, Resonance Ensemble, a professional vocal ensemble based in Portland, Oregon, creates thoughtful programs that promote meaningful social change. Resonance Ensemble works to amplify voices that have long been silenced, and they do so through moving, thematic concerts that highlight solo and choral voices, new and underrepresented composers, visual and other performing artists, and community partners. 

Under Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon, Resonance Ensemble has performed challenging and diverse music, always with an eye toward unusual collaborations with artistic partners from around the country: poets, jazz musicians, singer-songwriters, painters, dancers. The Resonance Ensemble singers are “one of the Northwest’s finest choirs” (Willamette Week), with gorgeous vocal tone, and they also make music with heart. 

The groundbreaking work that Resonance Ensemble has been producing over the last few years has been noted by local media and national arts organizations. In Oregon Arts Watch, Matthew Andrews described Resonance as “Part social commentary, part group therapy, and part best damn choir show in town" (June 2019). Chorus America honored Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon in the summer of 2019 with the Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal for her work rededicating Resonance to promoting meaningful social change, and for the meaningful community partnerships she creates. For the tribute to Dr. FitzGibbon, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaJMVozrcPo. 

For more information: 

Website: resonancechoral.org
Youtube: /c/ResonanceEnsemble
Facebook: /resonanceensemblepdx
Instagram: /resonanceensemblepdx
Twitter: /resonanceensemblepdx
Hashtags: #CommissionsForNow #NormalNeverWas #AnAfricanAmericanRequiem #WeHoldYourNamesSacred #ResonanceEnsemblePDX

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