The Cantata Singers - Story-Music project
Funded by a generous Artist Employment Grant from Creatives Rebuild New York, The Story Music Project is telling the stories of under-heard voices of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes Areas of upstate New York. Music Director/composer Will Wickham is collecting stories of living and historical every-day people in the area and turning them into choral works. Many of the pieces resulting from this collaboration have already been performed but the first performance of all the Story-Music works together is will be held at Corning’s Nassar Civic Center Park on Saturday, July 13, 2024. The event is free, accessible, and open to all!! Bring your lawn chair and a picnic to celebrate both this amazing 2 years of work and the 60th anniversary celebration of the Cantata Singers!
Christmas Letter Home & Christmas in Elmira, 1864
Words and music by Will Wickham.
Historical research led to this pair of works premiered in December of 2022. Written from the point of view of a Rebel Prisoner and of citizens of the City of Elmira, these two works shine a light on a too-little known chapter in the history of Elmira. Full program information is available at this link.
Christmas Bells Ring
Words and music by Will Wickham
Not exactly part of the Story Music Project, but a great deal of fun just the same.
Clara’s Piano
Words and music by Will Wickham
This premiere performance was held at Park Church, Elmira, NY in March of 2023. Program information can be found at this link.
Mumsie’s Call
Words and music by Will Wickham
This recording was made at the dress rehearsal for the December 2 Premiere performance. Program information can be found at this link.
Blooming Eternal
Words by J McKnight, music by Will Wickham
A touching poem written in memory of Lynn Rhoda Dates, Blooming Eternal was “virtually premiered” virtually at a memorial showing of Lynn’s artwork. Recorded by members of the Cantata Singers in July, 2023, the work enjoyed a live premiere performance on Sunday, March 24, 2024. The live recording is in the player below. Find version recorded in July and gallery program information at this link.
What’s coming?
Story-Music composition continues with more works ready for the Cantata Singers to rehearse.
“As We Gather” is a "Thanksgiving Prayer and Land Acknowledgement” that will begin our December 2nd concert. The work honors and pays homage to the Indigenous people who have stewarded the lands in our area for more than 10,000 years. Recording coming soon!
“So Wa Dada? (Are you good?) tells the story of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion specialist at Corning Community College in Corning New York. Words are by poet Joy Williams and Will Wickham, music by Will Wickham. Accompanied by piano and simple percussion instruments, “So Wa Dada” was premiered on March 24, 2024 in concert in Corning!
“As Through Darkest Night” is near and dear to the Cantata Singers’ collective heart! The words and music are about and written for a wonderful friend of the Cantata Singers who passed away late in the summer even as the piece was being written. This choral story was premiered on March 24, 2024 in Corning.
Cantata Singers are celebrating the end of our 60th Anniversary year in style! Along with full orchestra and guest choirs we’ll be performing as much of the Story Music Project works as possible in Corning’s Nassar Civic Center outdoor skating rink! Save the date - Saturday, July 13th in the afternoon! More details coming. It’s a free and fully accessible event!
Recently completed Story music works are about indigenous lives. “Not Red Enough” is poet G.S. Murphy’s poem about living in contemporary society. In addition to the Cantata Singers choir, the performance will feature the poet’s own voice on parts of the text. “The Story Teller” is a collaboration with Cayuga Nation storyteller and flute maker Dan Hill. The July 13, 2014 performance will feature Dan on his flutes along with the Cantata Singers and full orchestra.
The last of the stories is about Elmira’s own Paul Holland. Paul has been a fixture of the music scene in Elmira for many years, even singing with the Cantata Singers before branching out to help found Common Time, an adult pop-music choir based in Elmira. Like Paul himself, the music is a lot of fun! We do hope you’ll join us in July for the premiere performance!