On November 7 and 8, 2020, the Bloomington Chamber Singers will perform Considering Matthew Shepard, Craig Hella Johnson’s powerful reflection on the events surrounding the 1998 beating and death of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming. This “fusion oratorio” speaks with a fresh and bold voice, incorporating a variety of musical styles seamlessly woven into a unified whole. Gerald Sousa conducts the Bloomington Chamber Singers and soloists in this production, rescheduled from May 2 and 3 due to the coronavirus.
Amid deep divisions in our country and a fear of “otherness,” Considering Matthew Shepard helps listeners and musicians alike reflect on the proliferation of violence as well as the healing power of understanding, acceptance, justice, and love. Listeners of diverse backgrounds, faiths, and musical tastes describe this work as “brilliant,” “powerful,” “innovative,” “dazzling,” and “gripping.”