Concert Program

America Will Be Tour: Iowa Choral Director's Association Summer Symposium

July 23, 2024 7:00 PM

A Note from the Artistic Director

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

English and Spanish

800-273-8255

One morning in Asheville, NC, I was approached by a police officer while on my way to retrieve some things from my car. The officer stopped and questioned me, and he asked for my identification. After he dismissed me, I was left confused and embarrassed, and I struggled to figure out the reason why I was approached by the officer. I did not do anything wrong. It became obvious to me that it was because I am a man of color.

This type of incident occurs far too often in our society, and it has to stop. Based on that experience, I knew that I needed to do something. No more racism, no more exclusion, no more discrimination. I decided to do what I do best: make music. I decided to form a choir whose purpose is to increase awareness through music. After meeting every member of Tonality, I realized that I was not alone, that many others possess a passion for unity, for bringing people together.

Since its formation a short time ago, Tonality has received support from artists who also value diversity and social justice through their music. India Carney from U.S. Season 8 of The Voice says, “Tonality is going to broaden horizons for music and show a diverse array of faces for classical music as we know it.” Grant Gershon, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, states, “Choral singing is about sharing our voices, our traditions, and our experiences. Tonality has the potential to bring the amazingly diverse voices, traditions, and experiences of Los Angelenos together in a powerful new way.”

Tonality, now a Grammy award-winning ensemble, has grown immensely since that first rehearsal on June, 6, 2016. The singers come from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities and countries. They are professional singers from Los Angeles who care about the future of our country and our world, and we sing in unity to actively demonstrate the beauty of diversity.

We hope that this concert offers a safe space for those who are dealing with mental illness and friends and loved ones who support. While this concert speaks of challenges of mental health and suicide prevention, we also hope that this concert will serve as a reminder that each of you are loved, appreciated, and valued in our community. Thank you for coming and sharing your hearts with us.

Alexander Lloyd Blake
Executive/ Founding Artistic Director

Concert Program

Can You See

Music by:
Zanaida Robles
Text by:
Lyrics taken from protest signs

Oh, say say say say
Say say say say

Say say say say


Can you see, can you see,

Can you see, can you see,

Say, can you see, can you see,

Can you see, can you see,

Can you see, can you see,

By the dawn’s early light,

Dawn’s early light?

Love is love, 

Can you see, can you see,

Can you see, can you see,

Can you see, can you see,

Love is love,
Love is love, 

Black lives matter,

Black lives matter,

Black lives matter,

Matter.


Women’s rights are human rights,

no human is illegal.
Women’s rights are human rights,

no human is illegal.

No human is illegal.

No human is illegal.

No human is illegal.

Women’s rights are human rights.
Say, can you see, can you see,

Can you see, can you see,

Can you see, can you see,

By the dawn’s early light,

Science is real. Water is life.

Science is real. Water is life.

Science is real. Water is life.

Science is real. Water is life.

Science is real. Water is life.

Science is real. Water is life.

Love is love. Love is love.

Love is love. Love is love.

Love is love.

Kindness is ev’rything. Kindness is ev’rything.

Kindness is ev’rything. Kindness is ev’rything.

Ev’rything. Ev’rything.

Oh, say can you see

By the dawn’s early light?
Love is love.

Black lives matter.

Women’s rights are human rights.

Oh, say can you see

By the dawn’s early light?
No human is illegal.
Science is real.
Water is life.

Kindness is ev’rything.
Kindness is ev’rything.

Ev’rything, ev’rything.

Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free

and the home of the brave?

1232 Lyfe

Music by:
Alexander Lloyd Blake
Text by:
Alexander Lloyd Blake

1 2 3…

1 2 and 3, 2 and 3 to 1 2 and 3…

I’m sitting here facin’ twenty-five to life,

You met up with some friends and got in a fight.

You know that the system is made to throw us away,

nothing has changed.

But that was fifteen years ago,

he took the socks cuz our baby’s feet were cold.

Didn’t know that the sins of my past would come back tenfold,

life no parole.

How could you call this a crime?

They sayin’ one mo’ time they give me life.

Strike 3 2 1

Oh we’re runnin’ outta time.

A system broken

Many years stolen

For a petty crime

Twenty five to life,

Locked away, forgotten

There’s no room to forgive in a law that stems from pain.

Fear and justice aren’t the same.

Where is there room for grace when a law says one to three,

3 to life

All of my, all, all of my life

A system broken,

Many years stolen.

For a petty crime,

Twenty five to life,

Locked away, forgotten.

This law, this system broken,

Too many years are stolen, why?

The cost must match the price, not a life.

This law, this system broken,

Too many years are stolen, why?

The cost must match the price, not a life.

1 2 and 3, 2 and 3 to 1 2 and 3, 3 2 life.

Luz Rodriguez and 'Sekend, soloists / Luz Rodriguez, Natalie Gonzalez, and David Morales, trio

In This House

Music by:
Cristian Larios
Text by:
Text by Cristian Larios and from the ‘Know and Exercise Your Rights’ presentation by Chicago Legal Protection Fund/Community Navigator Fund

Hmm…

If you are detained by ICE: Remain silent.

You have the right to not sign anything.

You have the right to call your attorney or emergency contact.

You have the right to call your consulate.

You have the right to find out your Alien Number.

Todos tenemos estos derechos.

(We all have those rights.)

Todos tenemos estos derechos.

(We all have those rights.)

Todos.
(All.)

This house was built on dreams,

This house was built on dreams,

And fear, and hope, and the unknown.

Unknown, unknown.

This house was built on love,

And tradition, and food.

In this house, we harbor “drug lords”
In this house, we harbor “drug lords”

and “rapist” And “illegals” and “aliens”

If ICE comes to your home,

do not open the door.

[In this house, we harbor tias (aunts),

and primos (cousins), and hermanas (sisters)]

You are NOT required to open the door

unless ICE has a warrant signed by a judge.

[In this house, we harbor tias (aunts),

and primos (cousins), and hermanas (sisters)]

Ask them to show you the warrant -
Slide it under the door or hold it up to the window.

[In this house, we harbor tias (aunts),

and primos (cousins), and hermanas (sisters)]

IF THEY TRY TO FORCE THE DOOR OPEN

Write down the agents’ badge numbers

and vehicles’ license plate numbers. 

[In this house, we harbor tias (aunts),

and primos (cousins), and hermanas (sisters)]

Ah…

In this house, in this house,
we harbor innovators,

and workers, and dreamers,

Dreamers, mm.

Dios te bendiga. Dios te bendiga.

Dios te bendiga. Dios te bendiga.

(God bless you)

mm

n’na’nn

Natalie Gonzalez and David Morales, speakers

Let Your True Self Sing

Music by:
Carlos Cordero
Text by:
Ryan Heller

Cold winds blow over my barren soul,

Scattered pieces of my life across broken time,

I am alone.

Surrounded by eternity

I hear a voice

Calling me:

Come back…

I am broken, yet whole.

Listen deeply,

Your true self sings

Throw open the door,

Come back to that voice,

Share that voice,

Your voice…

We Cannot Leave

Music by:
Ted Hearne
Text by:
Traditional Xhosa anti-apartheid lyrics translated by Patiswa Nombona and Mollie Stone

we cannot leave
this land of our ancestors
on this earth
we are being killed
by the monster
on this earth
I want to get on the train
in the morning
oh, mother,
it’s leaving me behind

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Music by:
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, arranged by Nathan Heldman
Text by:
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel

Dm da ya duh n duh oo da ya da n duh

When you’re weary

Feeling small

When tears are in your eyes

I will dry them all.

I’m on your side.

Oh, when times get rough

And friends just can’t be found

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down.

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down.

I will lay me down.

Oo

When you’re down and out

When you’re on the street

When evening falls so hard

I will comfort you.

I’ll take your part.

Oh, when darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down.

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down.

Sammy Avila and Hannah Rose Lewis, soloists / Hannah Rose Lewis, Natalie Gonzalez, and David Morales, trio

New Collective Consciousness: 1. We Know

Music by:
Joseph Trapanese
Text by:
Andri Snœr Maganason

I. “We know”

Ok is the first Icelandic glacier

to lose its status as a glacier.

In the next 200 years,all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path.

This monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done

Only you know if we did it.

Sons and Daughters

Music by:
Luke Wallace arr. Shawn Kirchner
Text by:
Luke Wallace

Easy on the earth, lightly on the water,

remember this place is for your sons and

daughters,

Easy on the earth, lightly on the water

Remember who this place is for

Get your kids to a garden, with the garden they'll

grow

They'll learn to go easy and learn to live slow

Just get your kids to a garden, with the garden

they'll grow

They'll learn to go easy on the earth, lightly on

the water

Remember this place is for your sons and

daughters

Easy on the earth, lightly on the water

Remember who this place is for

Get your kids to a river, with the river they'll flow

It'll teach em' how to paddle, teach em’ how to

row.

Get your kids to a river, with the river they'll flow

It'll take em' where they need to go

Ima' go easy, easy, I’m going easy yea (REPEAT)

Let em' see their reflection wherever they go

In the rain water, flood water, sleet, hail, snow

Let em' see their reflection wherever they go

And go Easy on the earth, lightly on the water,

remember this place is for your sons and

daughters,

Easy on the earth, lightly on the water

Remember who this place is for.

#UnitedWeDream from American DREAMers suite

Music by:
Melissa Dunphy
Text by:
Claudia D. Hernandez

This is where we found
our home away from home.
This is where we belong.

Mother Earth, who feeds us all,

takes our roots no matter how long,
she’s whisp’ring:

this is where you belong.
(repeat 2 more times)

Resist! Resist! Resist! Resist! Resist! Resist!

Pelea con diente y madre!

Pelea con diente y madre!
(Fight with tooth and mother!)

She’s whisp’ring:

this is where you belong, Dreamer!

She’s whisp’ring:

this is where you belong, Dreamer!

She’s whisp’ring: this is where you belong.

America Will Be!

Music by:
Joel Thompson
Text by:
Langston Hughes, Emma Lazarus, and students of Freedom High School Chorus

mm… oo…
oh  oo  oh  mm  ah  mm

Yo sueño de un nuevo amanecer… 

(Spanish: I dream of a new dawn)

Who are you that mumbles in the dark?

Who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

Mage anagatha sinduwa…

(Sindhala: I sing for the future)

Umaasa ako no may pagbabago

(Filipino: I hope there is a change)

‘Atamanaa ‘an albashar yatealam an yu hib

(Arabic: I hope that people can learn to love)

Eu canto porque estou livre

(Portuguese: I sing because I am free)

I’m the one who dreamt a dream

while still a serf of kings,

A dream so strong, so brave,

so true that even yet it sings,
even yet it sings,

mm ah

Umaasa aka no may pagbabago…
(I hope there is change.)

Mage anagatha sinduwa…
(I sing for the future.)

‘Atamanaa ‘an albashar yatealam an yu hib…
(I hope that people can learn to love.)

Eu canto porque estou livre.
(I sing because I am free.)

To build a homeland of the free.
Free?
Oo…

Give me your tired,

Wŏ mèngxiăngzhe měihăo de wèilái

(Mandarin: I dream of a better future)

Give me your poor.

Seigi wo motomete

(Japanese: I hope for justice)

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

Ich singe für eine Flucht aus der Welt

(German: I sing for an escape from the world)

Give me the wretched refuse

of your teeming shore.

Còn uoć mong hoà binh

(Vietnamese: I dream of peace)

Mwen chante pou lapè sou Latè

(Haitian Creole: I sing for peace)

Send these to me! Send these to me!

Send these to me!

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

ah

For all the songs we’ve sung,

And all the dreams we’ve dreamed,

America was never America to me,

and yet, and yet I swear, and yet I swear:

America will be!

Vi Jordan and Cassandra Duschane, soloists

Soñar es Desear (A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes)

Music by:
Mack David, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston
Text by:
Spanish version by Edmundo Santos

Soñar es desear la dicha (To dream is to wish for joy)
En el porvenir (in the future)
Lo que el corazón anhela (What the heart longs for)
Se sueña y se suele vivir. (it dreams and it’s used to living.)

Si amor es el bien deseado (If love is well-desired)
En dulces sueños llegará (it will come in sweet dreams)

No importa cuan dificil sea. (It doesn’t matter how difficult it is)

En tanto tú lo creas (as soon as you belive it,)

Se hará realidad tu soñar. (your dreaming will be your reality.)

Arranged by Derric Johnson

Performers

Soprano

  • Anna Crumley
  • Cassandra Duschane

Alto

  • Kim Dawson
  • Natalie Gonzalez
  • Hannah Rose Lewis

Tenor

  • Isaiah Chacon
  • David Morales

Bass

  • Aaron Jung
  • Ian Gabriel Luna
  • Jamal Moore

ASL Interpreters

  • Rorri Burton, ProBono ASL
  • Alberto Medero, ProBono ASL

Special Thanks

Tonality Board of Directors

  • Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake, Executive/Founding Director
  • Dr. David Connors, Chairperson
  • Caroline McKenzie, Vice-Chairperson
  • Joe Trapanese, Secretary
  • Dr. Kimberly Bradshaw, Treasurer
  • Jacob Broussard
  • Roman GianArthur
  • Kelci Hahn
  • Shawn Kirchner
  • David Morales
  • Rita Morales
  • Jordan Reddout
  • Julie Smith
  • Anji Tan
  • Daniel Tapetillo

Honorary Board Members

  • Michael Abels
  • Kris Bowers
  • Lara Downes
  • Dr. Melissa Dunphy
  • Brian Lauritzen
  • Nikky Finney
  • Kevin “K.O.” Olusola
  • Joel Thompson

Advisory Board Members

  • Dr. Derrell Acon
  • Stacy Brightman
  • Melissa Denton
  • Kristy Edmunds
  • Ted Hearne
  • Luke McEndarfer
  • Thomas Mikusz
  • Jen Rogers
  • Sara Scott
  • Leslie Thomas
  • Booker White

We sincerely thank:

  • Kristen Simpson, Asst. Conductor and Rehearsal Accompanist
  • Alex Morales, Company Manager
  • Abitha Nunis, Tonality Intern
  • Michelle Sorgen, Grant Writer
  • Ninette Ayala, Development Officer
  • Lauren Potter, Social Media
  • Bucklesweet Media, Public Relations
  • Allen Moon, David Lieberman Artist's Representatives
  • David Lieberman, David Lieberman Artist's Representatives
  • Tyler Hagy, Iowa Choral Directors Association's Summer Symposium Co-chair
  • Julie Thomas, Iowa Choral Directors Association's Summer Symposium Host
  • Jackie Hawkins Keck, Iowa Choral Directors Association's Summer Symposium Host
  • Trevor Loes, Iowa Choral Directors Association's Summer Symposium Host
  • Rorri Burton, ProBono ASL
  • Alberto Medero, ProBono ASL
  • Zina Egbe, ProBono ASL
  • Craig McClenahan, Sound Engineer
  • Trent Teske, Supertitle Operator

Acknowledgments

2024 Supporters of Tonality

  • California Arts Council
  • California Community Foundation LA Arts Recovery Fund
  • California Impact Grant
  • City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
  • Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture Organizational Grant
  • Michael and Irene Ross Endowment of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
  • Tejemos Foundation

Tonality Sustainers ($10,000 & above)

  • Alexander Blake
  • Tejemos Foundation

Tonality Sponsors (up to $10,000)

  • Leigh Jones-Bamman
  • Peter Rutenberg
  • Israel Schachter
  • Joseph Trapanese

Tonality Contributors (up to $5,000)

  • David Connors
  • Sara Scott

Tonality Supporters (up to $2,500)

  • Shawn Kirchner
  • Jodie Landau
  • Kevin Olusola
  • Caroline Robinson

Tonality Builders (up to $1,000)

  • Michael Abels
  • Kenneth Foster
  • Roman GianArthur
  • Stuart Marks
  • John McGuire
  • Booker White

Tonality Friends (up to $500)

  • Jamie Crawford
  • Brian Gorelick
  • Eva Jones
  • Carolyn Kelley
  • Guy Maeda
  • Karen Murphy O'Brien
  • Pavane Music Inc
  • Julie Smith
  • Joel Thompson
  • Brandon Faber & Matthew Turner Shelton
  • Frank & Catherine Zachary

Tonality Community (up to $100)

  • Michael Anderson
  • Steffany Ayala
  • Liza Beth
  • Stacy Brightman
  • Bucklesweet Media
  • Denise Carite
  • Katie Crawford
  • Michael Davis
  • Glenda Delenstarr
  • Lisa Dent
  • Julie Eidsvoog
  • Klo Garoute
  • Tyler Griffin
  • Marina Harris
  • Evan Johnson
  • Daniel Jordan
  • Victoria Kirsch
  • Randall Lindsey
  • Rachel Maloney
  • Lisa Margaroli
  • Cynthia Marty
  • Jack McHugh
  • Brenda Reddout
  • Michael Rowan
  • Dave Schmidt
  • Moira Smiley
  • Beth Snowden-Ifft
  • Elizabeth Thomas
  • Amelia Thompson
  • David Topping
  • Pietro Torrisi
  • Maura Tuffy
  • Anne Watson Born

2023-2024 Tonality Community Advocates

  • David Connors
  • Caroline Robinson

Support Affiliated Non-Profits

Support Tonality Today.

Contributions made to our organization are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Here are three ways you can contribute:

  1. Donate in person. If you wish to make a donation during or after our concert, please see one of our volunteers or board members.
  2. Donate online using the button below.
  3. Donate by mail. Please send contributions to:
    Tonality
    325 N Larchmont, Suite 306
    Los Angeles, CA 90004
    * Checks should be made payable to Tonality

We truly appreciate your support and generosity. Should you have any questions regarding how you can contribute, please feel free to reach us at info@ourtonality.org or (910) 358-7130.

Kindly help us to spread the word to others who care about valuing social justice in our society.

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