Provided to the QAM News
Seattle Women’s Chorus is singing music that makes a difference with Banned & Beloved, a new concert featuring custom-composed songs based on banned books, with performances at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Town Hall Seattle (1109 8th Avenue in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood).
With books being banned in the U.S. at an unprecedented rate, Seattle Women’s Chorus is putting a spotlight on the issue by commissioning five female-identifying composers to create new music from banned books. Composers Amy Burgess, Ann Hampton Callaway, Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, Maria Antoinette Ellis, and Andrea Ramsey each crafted songs based on a variety of banned books including Alice in Wonderland, Beloved, Heather Has Two Mommies, Melissa and This Book is Gay. The concert will also include censored songs from popular films including The Wizard of Oz, Winnie the Pooh and The Muppets, along with thought-provoking video storytelling.
“We always say music is the universal language and has the power to reach people no matter your background, your race, religion, sexual identity — music has the power to reach,” said Ellis, who is also a choral conductor and music educator. “And sometimes, you can hear a message better hearing it in a song than reading it in a book. Sharing through song can sometimes lighten the hearts of people in the audience for a deeper understanding.”
“We brought in these five composers to tell stories they’re familiar with or shine a light on experiences people need to read and hear on topics from racism to homophobia,” said Seattle Men’s Chorus Artistic Director Paul Caldwell. “There are people saying we shouldn’t speak those words — you know what, we’re going to sing them, loud and proud.”
To elevate awareness of banned books and to advocate for freedom of expression, Seattle Women’s Chorus is inviting attendees to donate a banned book which will be collected in bins at the concert – as well as at any Third Place Books location now through Feb. 3. The books will be distributed among Seattle-area Little Free Libraries. For a list of commonly banned books, visit this list compiled by PEN America.
Tickets for the Banned & Beloved concert – as well as livestream and on-demand tickets – are available for purchase ($29-$59) at SeattleWomensChorus.org.