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Truth, Alvin Singleton’s New Choral Ballet Based on the Life of Sojourner Truth Premieres in St. Paul

Feb. 01, 2006

Alvin Singleton - Photo by Charles BarrySojourner TruthAlvin Singleton's Truth premieres February 19, 2006 at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota by the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and TU Dance. Highlighting Black History Month, Singleton's new work, in essence a choral ballet,  is set to a libretto by Carman Moore and choreographed by Uri Sands and TU Dance, the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s “Artist of the Year”  for 2005. Philip Brunelle, Artistic Director & Founder of VocalEssence comments:

For some years I have wanted to explore commissioning a collaborative choral and dance work–not a work for chorus where dance is added later, but one where both art forms are integral components from the start. When the idea of focusing on Sojourner Truth came to mind, I knew right away that Alvin Singleton was the composer I wanted. He is a visionary who looks in new directions; someone who can challenge a listener’s mind and ear while still using a tonal spectrum that is solidly conceived and alluring. Together with collaborators Carman Moore and Uri Sands, Alvin has created Truth, which will be a memorable, moving work.

“Through music, choreography, and words,” remarks Alvin Singleton, “Truth depicts key moments in the life of Isabella the slave and her transformation and name change to Sojourner Truth.”

In addition, Singleton's recent Say You Have This Ball of Meaning (2005), for baritone, strings, harp, accordion, percussion and with text by Patricia Hampl, has a repeat performance at the Santa Clara University 2006 New Music Festival on February 4th. Teresa McCollough, the Festival's Artistic Director, was also the commissioner of the composer's Greed Machine, for vibraphone and piano, in 2003.

To learn more about Alvin Singleton and his work, please visit www.schott-music.com. For more details on the premiere, please visit www.vocalessence.org.

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