Nov. 16 & 22: The Halalisa Singers present Libertatum: Songs of Freedom

Boston-based world music vocal ensemble The Halalisa Singers led by artistic director Mary Cunningham presents Libertatum: Songs of Freedom on Sunday, November 16, 3:30 p.m. at First Parish in Lexington, 7 Harrington Road. The program will be repeated on Saturday, November 22, 7:30 p.m. at First Church in Littleton, 19 Foster St. Pianist Trevor Berens, trumpeter Ryan Noe, violinist Elena Spencer, and percussionist Abe Finch accompany. Tickets are $25. For information visit www.halalisa.org/concerts.

“So much in our world seems upside down in this moment, but the strength of the human spirit remains,” says Cunningham. “Music, throughout history, has been an important form of expression for people. As our country faces division and challenge, we hope this music brings excitement, inspiration, and hope.”

The program’s centerpiece is Kyle Pederson’s inspirational five-movement suite, “A Vision Unfolding” for chorus, piano, violin, trumpet, and percussion. The piece explores themes including compassion, freedom, inclusivity, and justice. Lush harmonies and compelling rhythms are interspersed with spoken word narration featuring poetry by Shanelle Gabriel. Sung texts include Walt Whitman’s compelling “Beat! Drums!” and Langston Hughes’s beloved “I Dream a World.”

The low voices of the choir perform Jim Papoulis’s intricate “Libertatum (Freedom),” which begins with a traditional Latin motet style before evolving into a contemporary anthem of freedom that includes body percussion and rousing choral singing. The choir’s high voices are featured in “I’m on My Way.” Based on the 1950s Mahalia Jackson version of the traditional spiritual, Anthony Trecek-King’s driving arrangement is rhythmic, passionate, and dynamic. A Halalisa small ensemble will sing “Found/Tonight,” a beautiful choral medley of tunes from the popular musicals “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Hamilton.”

Also on the program are Alysia Lee’s “Say Her Name,” a musical statement against police brutality against Black women and others and a potent call to action; the joyful, powerful walking song “Lead With Love” by vocal activist Melanie DeMore; Mark. Miller’s exuberant arrangement of the African American spiritual “I’m Gonna Sing;” Palestinian/Jordanian/Canadian composer Shireen Abu-Khader’s touching arrangement of the song “Lao Rahal Soti (If My Voice Departs);” and choral composer Brian Tate’s “One Million Voices,” which grows in intensity and strength as it urges audiences to speak out against injustice.

The Halalisa Singers are a celebrated world music vocal ensemble of Greater Boston dedicated to the performance of music across cultures and nationalities. Halalisa is a Zulu word for celebration, and in that spirit, Halalisa’s repertoire includes African, Latin, American Spiritual, Gospel, Jewish, Folk, and Jazz. Founded by Nick Page in 1992 and under the leadership of Artistic Director Mary Cunningham since 2004, the chorus offers vibrant performances inspired by the belief that music is a universal language with the power to uplift and unite us all.

Artistic Director Mary Cunningham is in her 19th year of leading the Halalisa Singers, creating and directing unique and dynamic world music-themed choral concerts. Following her vision to share their music across the Boston area and beyond, Halalisa continues to reach out to wider audiences to perform an ever-expanding repertoire. She is well known in the Boston area as an active choral conductor, vocalist, and flute soloist. She has directed music ministry since 2008 in the UU churches of both Melrose and Reading, is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Association of UU Music Ministries. A member of the New World Chorale and a frequent performer with the Christmas Revels, Mary is on the faculty of the Winchester Community Music School and the Powers Music School in Belmont.

Pianist, composer, and accompanist Trevor Berens plays in many different styles, specializing in avant-garde classical music, traditional classical music, and free improvisation. Trevor holds degrees in piano performance, composition and music therapy from Loyola Marymount University, California Institute of the Arts and Lesley University. As a collaborator, he enjoys working with solo vocalists and instrumentalists, chamber groups, choruses, and with dancers and actors. Trevor is the founder, pianist, and resident composer of the new music ensemble Sonic Liberation Players. Trevor is the Pianist at the First Parish of Stow/Acton and, with his wife Jessica, runs the Berens Voice and Piano Studio out of Pepperell, MA.

Abe Finch is a Boston-area percussionist and music educator. He has been featured percussionist in several new choral works, including the world premiere of James Kallembach’s Audubon, performing with Chorus Pro Musica under the direction of Jamie Kirsch. He also provided percussion for Chorus Pro Musica’s performance of the little match girl passion by David Lang. Abe composes original works for percussion, including thematic pieces for children, advanced percussion ensemble repertoire, and arrangements for steel drum ensemble. At Salem State University he is director of percussion activities and the small ensemble program, and holds positions at Phillips Academy, Groton School and Northern Essex Community College.

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