A Message From Dr. Baker

Dear Singers, 

I rarely send you personal notes, but these are extraordinary days.  Even as the Covid pandemic has shown how fragile our way of life can be, the killing of George Floyd and the resulting protests have exposed great injustice in our society.  Singing Brahms' Requiem right now feels good.  There have been far too many deaths.  The music offers solace, and is so wonderful it can take us away from the horrors around us.

I want to share another piece of music that I have found deeply moving, more so than any other new work for many years.  Written a few years ago, Seven Last Words of the Unarmed by the young composer Joel Thompson speaks directly to today's deep divisions and ingrained inequality.  

This music helped me when I was most heart-sore this week.  I share it because I know many of you also find this time very painful and it may bring you some degree of comfort.

With very warm wishes to you all, 

    Bryan