Concert Program

Lessons Adjusted

March 24, 2024 7:00 PM

A Note from the Artistic Director

I was a graduate student in my final year of coursework for the doctoral degree when Tonality held its first concert. The idea of this ensemble stemmed from my experiences throughout my education, particularly the ones where I was one of few people of color in choral settings. As a Black classical musician and a closted gay youth, I did not always feel that school was the safe and supportive space I needed. At the same time, there were also moments when I was deeply inspired and invigorated by certain teachers and certain moments, and these are the moments that gave me the passion to become an educator myself.

Tonight, Tonality has the honor of creating space for the future artists and creators in our inaugural concert with the Tonality Scholars. This talented and engaging group of 20 high school students from across the LA County schools came together to sing, to speak about their own experiences, and to learn from and with our ensemble members. This concert speaks to some of the yearning for a more equitable and supportive community within our education systems, but you will also hear how bright our future is if we learn to listen to these future leaders. 

To the Tonality Scholars, their parents, their teachers and supporters, we want to say thank you for your time and consideration in this important collaboration. This is only the beginning of our work to help support and inspire future generations. We all will witness the vision of possibility and potential so many of us needed in our formative years, and we hope you feel inspired by our work together this evening.

Alexander Lloyd Blake
Executive/ Founding Artistic Director

Concert Program

Atma Vidya

Music by:
Gaayatri Kaundinya
Text by:
Gaayatri Kaundinya

Prathama yoga atma vidya
(First you must know yourself)

(The first yogic practice is the yoga of self understanding)

First you must know yourself

Define your truth,  

follow with steadiness,

life becomes one with the divine

Yama Niyama abhyaasa karo

(Practice the Yamas and Niyamas,)

Asana Pranayama 

(Asana and Pranayama)

Pratyahara Dharana Dhyaan se

(From Pratyahara Dharana and Dhyaan)

 

pavana Samadhi

(you will attain the state of Samadhi)

Taba Jivan Sukh Paave

(Then you will get contentment in life)

Lam, Vam, Yam, Ram, Hum, Aum

Lam

(Seed mantra for the Muladhara root chakra, ushering in grounding, stability, security)

Vam

(Seed mantra for the Svadhisthana sacral chakra, ushering in creativity, pleasure, emotional balance)

Ram

(Seed mantra for the Manipura solar plexus chakra, ushering in personal power, willpower, self-confidence)

Yam

(Seed mantra for the Anahata heart chakra, ushering in love, compassion, connection)

Ham

(Seed mantra for the Vishuddha throat chakra, ushering in clear communication, self-expression, authenticity)

Aum

(Seed mantra for the Ajna third eye chakra, ushering in intuition, insight, spiritual vision)

Mmm

(Silent Om represented with a trailing mmm sound, seed mantra for the Sahasrara crown chakra, ushering in spiritual connection, higher consciousness, enlightenment)

About the Piece:

This piece explores a yogic angle on education - and outlines the fundamental philosophy that the cultivation of knowledge of oneself is the foundation to a fulfilled, integrated life. It derives from the ancient Sanskrit concept of Ashtangas of yoga or 8 limbs, that say the following:

Niyama: Restraints (Define your boundaries)

- Satya: define your truth

- Ahimsa: follow a path of non-violence and cultivate compassion towards yourself on your journey

- Asteya: don't cheat yourself or cut corners on your path

- Aparigraha: don't harbor jealousy towards others and get distracted from your path

- Brahmacharya: keep control of your life force creative energy and channel it towards your truth

Yama: Observances (Cultivate these habits)

- Saucha: be pure of heart

- Santosha: be content

- Tapas: be rigorous

- Svadhyaya: self reflect

- Ishvara Pranidhana: recognize there is a force greater than you that is the universal force

Asana: Posture (This refers to the physical postures practiced in yoga to promote physical health, strength, and flexibility)

Pranayama: Breath control (This refers to the practice of controlling the breath to promote relaxation, concentration, and vitality)

Pratyahara: Withdrawing from senses (This refers to the practice of withdrawing the senses from external distractions and turning inward)

Dharana (Concentration): This refers to the practice of focusing the mind on a single object or point of focus, and cultivating focus.

Dhyana (Meditation): This refers to the practice of sustained concentration and mindfulness.

Samadhi (Union with the Divine): This refers to the state of deep integrated living, where one is fully aware and integrated with the universal energy, where one feels a sense of oneness with the divine. 

In Vedic studies, this fundamental concept of self is first cultivated, and then once this is defined, students learn various other subjects based on their chosen vocation. 

The piece also uses the Seed mantras that are said to activate energy centers in the body. 

Musically, the piece is in the Raaga or melodic mode of Shuddh Kalyan (which means pure blessings). The 7 Swaras or notes in Indian Sargam or Indian Solfeg are also said to tie to energy centers, so each seed mantra is set to the corresponding Sargam note as used in this scale. 

I encourage the audience to engage in a meditation while listening to this piece, and experience your energy flow through each energy center in your body with each seed mantra.

Soloists: Rohan Ramanan, Mayuri Vasan

America the Beautiful

Music by:
Katharine Lee Bates, arranged by Shawn Kirchner
Text by:
Katharine Lee Bates and Shawn Kirchner

O beautiful for spacious skies,

for amber waves of grain,

for purple mountain majesties

above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his bounteous grace on thee,

and crown thy good with brotherhood

from sea to shining sea!

O beautiful, that ancient feet,

beneath the countless stars,

ten thousand years in beauty walked,

through wilderness unmarred.

But fateful then, that sailing fleets,

a new world sought, and found,

and whose bright promise wrought a doom 

whose echoes yet resound.

America, America!

May God forgive thy vying strains,

thy pride yet tame with rightful shame,

that others’ loss bought selfish gain.

O sorrowful for captive feet,

in chains, against their will,

who toiled through centuries

of wrong, to triumph still;

whose heroes proved so beautiful

in claims of lawful rights,

who more than self thy justice loved,

and mercy more than life.

America, America!

may God yet mend thine ev’ry flaw,

Redeem thy soul and be made whole,

thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for patriot dream

that sees beyond the years,

thine alabaster cities gleam

undimmed by human tears.

America! America!

from farthest shores thy people stream,

the multitude that seek thy good,

and share a common dream.

America! America!

God shed his bounteous grace on thee,

thy beauty crown with unity

from sea to shining sea!

This Land Is Your Land

Music by:
Woody Guthrie, arranged by Blake Morgan
Text by:
Woody Guthrie

This land is your land,

this land is my land,

This land was made for you and…

This land is my land;

ain’t it made for you and me?

This land is my land; shinin’ sea to sea.

Oh this land is your land, this land is my land,

From California to the New York island,

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters:

This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking that ribbon of highway,

I saw above me that golden skyway.

I saw below me that golden valley:

This land was made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land,

From California to the New York island,

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters:

This land was made for you and me.

I’ve roamed and rambled, followed my footsteps,

To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;

All around me a voice was sounding:

This land was made for you and me!

When the sun come shinin’, then I was strollin’,

And the wheat fields wavin’, and the dust clouds rollin’,

That voice come a’chanting, yeah!, as the fog was lifting:

See, this land was made for you and me.

In the squares of the city, in the shadow of the steeple,

By the relief office, I saw my people.

And as they stood hungry, I stood there wond’ring:

Is this land made for you and…me?

My land; ain’t it made for you and me?

This land is my land; shinin’ sea to sea.

Oh, this land is your land, this land is my land,

From California to the New York island,

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters:

This land was made for you and me.

This land was made for you and me.

This land was made for you and me.

This land!

XX, Piano XX, Drums XX, Bass Guitar

Sing About It

Music by:
Moira Smiley
Text by:
Moira Smiley

It’s so sad, we don’t understand each other yet.

How can this be when we’ve been livin’ together

so long, so close to each other’s beauty?

It’s so sad, makes me feel so bad.

I can’t stand by anymore. Gonna sing about it.

Gonna sing it when I feel like crying,

when I’m uncomfortable and don’t know why yet,

when I am guilty of the laissez-faire,

my ignorance of you laid bare.

I’ll talk to you before I raise my hand,

so you can call on me to make a stand.

Am I responsible?

Are you responsible?

What are we responsible for?

I’m gonna look up from my own concerns,

reach across the chasms of what I never learned

So wide, so full of burning.

Your eyes are turning to me now saying,

“It’s time, it’s way past time

to step outside the echo chamber.

Stop pretending it’s alright.

Stop pretending this is not our fight.”

Soloists: Alex Robinson; Small Group: Natalie Gonzalez, Jamal Moore, Kay Sibal

Democracy

Music by:
Jared A. Jenkins
Text by:
Langston Hughes

Democracy will not come today. 

It will not come this year, nor ever through compromise and fear.

Again, I say! Democracy will not come today. 

It will not come this year, nor ever through compromise and fear.

I have as much right as the other fellow has to stand on my two feet and own the land.

I tire so of hearing people say, “Let things take their course, tomorrow is another day.”

I do not need my freedom when I’m dead.

I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.

Freedom is a strong seed planted in a great need.

I live here, too.

I want freedom just as you.

Candace Porter, soloist

We Sing Together

Music by:
William Schwartzman, arranged by Christina Galisatus
Text by:
Eric Schwartzman, Chelsea Chiu, and William Schwartzman

When will the light turn on again? 

When will you hold my hand again?

When will I reach the bitter end?

When you don’t laugh at my pretend?

Jump down, blade up, 

you closed my cup

Locked doors, don’t fuss,

Can’t find our trust

When will the light turn on again?

When will you hold my hand again?

We can’t know it all

Find the beauty in this time

We can’t fear the fall

Cannot forfeit, fear, or fight

Don’t wander tonight

Take the truth from my eyes

Reunite

When will the light turn on again?

When will you hold…

Ooh ah…

Wander tonight

Take the truth from my eyes

Reunite

When will the light turn on again?

When will you hold my hand again?

A Lullaby

Music by:
Ryan Murphy
Text by:
Eugene Field

The stars are twinkling in the skies;

the earth is lost in slumbers deep.

So hush, my sweet, and close thine eyes,

and let me lull thy soul to sleep.

Compose thy dimpled hands to rest,

and like a little birdling lie secure within thy

cozy nest upon my loving mother breast,

and slumber to my lullaby.

So hushaby, hushaby,

hush my sweet and close thine eyes,

and slumber to my lullaby,

so hushaby, hushaby.

The moon is singing to a star

the little song I sing to you.

The father sun has strayed afar

as baby’s sire is straying too.

And so the loving mother moon

sings to the little star on high;

and as she sings, her gentle tune is borne to me,

and thus I croon for thee, my sweet, that

lullaby of hushaby, hushaby,

hush my sweet and close thine eyes,

and slumber to my lullaby,

so hushaby, hushaby.

There is a little one asleep

that does not hear his mother’s song;

but angel watchers as I weep

surround his grave the night-tide long.

And as I sing, my sweet, to you,

oh, would the lullaby I sing,

the same sweet lullaby he knew

while slumbering on this bosom too,

were borne to him on angel’s wing!

So hushaby, hushaby,

lullaby, lullaby, hushaby, hushaby,

lullaby.

Sung in collaboration with the University of Illinois Chamber Singers / Andrea Solya, Director

Just Be

Music by:
Kai Wright, Hannah Abrahim, arr. by Alexander Lloyd Blake and Jamal Moore
Text by:
Hannah Abrahim

Oooohhh

“Don’t believe our world is colorblind

‘Member red roses always get chosen first”

Papa’s scars looked me in the eyes

He said “camouflage to show your worth”

Pulled out the wooden bench and sat me

Down with the iron, curing poison curls, mm

“Every burn on your neck is resilience…

The more that you learn, the stronger you’ll be

It’s your saving grace to escape poverty

You’ve gotta fight ‘til your knuckles bleed.”

Please, please

Let me go,

Sold these broken dreams

To fit their mold

Raised addicted to perfection, but

I deserve the right to make mistakes, to choose my way

To be loved the same, to just be

How to find, the essence of my being

Work til I fall asleep, then work in my dreams

Stuck in this self-affirming prophecy

Big achievements mean you’re loved

But am I only worth a number when you see my skin and scoff?

When you can’t pronounce my name, think I took another’s spot?

Am I valued if not at the top?

Can’t disappoint, my ancestry

Spend my whole life chasing a degree

Look good on paper, is that equality?

Please please

Let me go,

Sold these broken dreams

To fit their mold

Raised addicted to perfection, but

I deserve the right to make mistakes, to choose my way

To be loved the same, to just be.

Hannah Abrahim, soloist

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…

Treat A Stranger Right

Music by:
Blind Willie Johnson; Arranged by Moira Smiley & Alexander Lloyd Blake
Text by:
Blind Willie Johnson

Chorus:

Everybody oughta treat a stranger right.

Everybody oughta treat a stranger right.

And everybody oughta treat a stranger right.

A long way from home,

A long way from home,

 A long way, a long way from home

Verse 1:

Be mindful how speaking.

Be careful how you go along.

You must always treat a stranger right.

Don't insult him in your home,

don't insult him in your home

and everybody oughta treat a stranger right.

(Repeat Chorus)

Verse 2:

Well all of us are strangers

and none of us has a home.

You must never hurt your brother or sister

and cause them to pull their own, 

And cause them to pull their own

and everybody oughta treat a stranger right.

‍(Repeat Chorus)

Kay Sibal, soloist

You Raise Me Up

Music by:
Rolf Løvland & Brendan Graham, arranged by Blake Morgan
Text by:
Rolf Løvland & Brendan Graham

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary

When troubles come and my heart burdened be

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence

Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up... To more than I can be

There is no life - no life without its hunger

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly

But when you come and I am filled with wonder

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up... To more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders

You raise me up... To more than I can be

You raise me up... To more than I can be

Jamal Moore, soloist

Performers

Soprano

  • Hannah Abrahim
  • Anna Crumley
  • Cassandra Duschane
  • Gracie Laboy
  • Estelle Ocegueda
  • Becca Tomasko

Alto

  • Anastasia Gastelum
  • Natale Gonzalez
  • Alex Robinson
  • Kay Sibal
  • Rachel Steinke
  • Mayuri Vasan

Tenor

  • Samuel Avila
  • Isaiah Chacon
  • Kion Heidari
  • Jamal Moore
  • David Morales
  • Josh Munnell

Bass

  • Dylan Gentile
  • Joshua Gronlund
  • Brandon Guzman
  • Jared Jones
  • Aaron Jung
  • Ian Gabriel Luna

Tonality Scholars

  • Spencer Allport
  • Joseph Arias
  • Madison Braybon
  • Emily Chavez
  • Sienna Curry
  • Coco D’Angelo
  • Maya Diaz
  • Daniel Heringer
  • Roy Kim
  • Alexander Kochoa
  • Xavier Martin-Porter
  • Henry Neujahr
  • Eileen Obregon
  • Yarelis Perez
  • Candace Porter
  • Arianna Rodriguez
  • Nate Schinnerer
  • Rayven Taylor
  • Eden White
  • Kai Wright

Instrumentalists

  • Kristen Simpson, piano
  • Aaron Liao, piano
  • Marc Encabo, bass guitar
  • Paul Smith, guitar
  • Zev Shearn-Nance, percussion
  • Rohan Ramanan, swarmandal
  • Suvir Copparam, tabla
  • Bea Devlin, violin
  • Akirin Au, violin
  • Evelyn Simco, viola
  • Lauren Hsu, cello
  • Sean-Paul Gouw, double bass

Deaf Performers

  • Ny’kel Best
  • Mikey Agyin
  • ASL Access provided by Pro Bono ASL

Special Thanks

Tonality Board of Directors

  • Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake, Executive/Founding Artistic Director
  • Dr. David Connors, Chairperson
  • Caroline McKenzie, Vice-Chairperson
  • Joe Trapanese, Secretary
  • Dr. Kimberly Bradshaw, Treasurer
  • Roman GianArthur
  • Kelci Hahn
  • Shawn Kirchner
  • Michael Mikail
  • Rita Morales
  • Jordan Reddout
  • Julie Smith
  • 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, Rehearsal Accompanist and Asst. Conductor
  • Emily LaSalle, Tonality Scholars Program Manager
  • ProBono ASL
  • Alex Morales, Company Manager
  • Melissa Lai, Concert Manager
  • Jacob Alvarez-Ruiz, Production Manager
  • Zev Marx-Khan, Supertitles Runner
  • Lauren Potter, Social Media
  • Bucklesweet Media, Public Relations
  • Louis Ng, Videographer
  • Dorian Bonner, Photographer
  • Ross Chait, Pico Union Project
  • Bianca Juarez, Pico Union Project
  • Michael Powers, LA County High School for the Arts
  • Phillip Jackson, Black Lives Matter
  • Tanissia Sprull, Black Lives Matter
  • Yazmin Monet Watkins, Black Lives Matter
  • California Arts Council Impact Project Grant

Acknowledgments

2023 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
  • Joseph Trapanese
  • Tejemos Foundation

Tonality Sponsors (up to $10,000)

  • Leigh Jones-Bamman
  • Peter Rutenberg
  • Israel Schachter

Tonality Contributors (up to $5,000)

  • David Connors
  • Sara Scott

Tonality Supporters (up to $2,500)

  • Shawn Kirchner
  • Jodie Landau
  • Guy Maeda
  • 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)

  • Steffany Ayala
  • Liza Beth
  • 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
  • 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
  • Yuki Cutcheon
  • Rita Morales
  • Dana Neujahr
  • Caroline Robinson

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Upcoming Events

HomeCare: A Concert on Climate Change - Caltech, Pasadena
Saturday, November 16, 2024
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8:00 pm
HomeCare: A Concert on Climate Change - Caltech, Pasadena

HomeCare focuses on the climate crisis, including the words of young leaders who have spoken about the urgency of action toward conserving what resources are available on this planet. We've designed this concert to educate us on aspects of climate change that go beyond our emotional response. We hope that you will leave this space aware of our limited resources and how we must work to protect them for generations to come.

The Wallis | At War With Ourselves - 400 Years of You
Saturday, February 15, 2025
|
7:30 pm
The Wallis | At War With Ourselves - 400 Years of You

Music @ The Wallis is generously made possible by Terri and Jerry Kohl At War With Ourselves – 400 Years of You features a text by National Book Award-winning poet Nikky Finney inspired by her 2013 poem “The Battle of and for the Black Face Boy.” The music was composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Abels, composer for the Jordan Peele films Us and Get Out. This powerful new work for string quartet, narrator, and chorus explores race relations, social justice, and civil rights in 21st century America. KRONOS QUARTET TONALITY MUSIC BY Michael Abels TEXT & NARRATION BY Nikky Finney CONDUCTED BY Alexander Lloyd Blake

The Wallis | Put Your Guns Down
Saturday, May 24, 2025
|
7:30 pm
The Wallis | Put Your Guns Down

Music @ The Wallis is generously made possible by Terri and Jerry Kohl Making their Wallis debut, GRAMMY-award winning vocal choir Tonality combines melodic harmonies to present concerts on themes of social justice in hopes to catalyze empathy and community activism. Put Your Guns Down discusses issues related to gun violence in the United States. Some of the selections will discuss mass shootings, police brutality, the effects on victims, school shootings, and suicide prevention. The concert also focuses on an active sense of peace as we come together to find solutions toward the epidemic of gun violence in this country. This evening’s performance will feature the world premiere of Alexander Lloyd Blake’s Running From, Running To: A Musical Reflection on Ahmaud Arbery.