Special Music Presentation: “Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow”

“Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow” with The Washington Chorus, Sunday, March 14 at 10 a.m.

On Sunday, March 14, at our 10 a.m. virtual worship service, we will have a very special musical treat for you.  As part of our 10 a.m. service, you will enjoy a special video presentation of “Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow,” by the Washington Chorus, led by Washington Chorus Artistic Director, and U-M Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Eugene Rogers.

Following the story of an African-American couple struggling with COVID-19 and their journey from despair to hope, the “Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow” is a short music film that beautifully, and powerfully, weaves together a new choral work by composer Damien Geter, with an emotionally evocative and poignant film created by Emmy award winning filmmaker Bob Berg.

Produced and recorded by two-time Grammy award-winning music ensemble, The Washington Chorus, this 23 minute short music film takes you on a journey from hurt and despair to hope, resilience, and love.  The Cantata features: The Washington Chorus; Dr. Eugene Rogers, Artistic Director; Aundi Marie Moore, soprano; Seth Parker Woods, cello; and actors Kyle Greenlaw and Kim McKissack as Martin and Michelle Rogers.

“Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow” is musically scored for chorus, cello, and soprano soloist, and has five sections:

1. Fear (text by Salomo Franck and Megan Levad)
   II. The Prayer (Traditional text, setting of “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me”)
   III. Breathe (text by Aminata Sei)
   IV. The Resolve (Traditional text, setting of “There Is a Balm in Gilead”)
   V. Hope (text by Walt Whitman)

Cantata composer, Damien Geter, said this about the Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow: “2020 has been a tough year: not only because of the pandemic but because of the various other traumas that have been continuously inflicted on the Black community and our world at large. The recent events that have taken place will give our nation renewed hope and direction. Even though things may seem tough in the present moment, there is a light that shines toward the future.”

We hope you will join us for this very special worship service on Sunday, March 14, at 10 a.m.