“True Witness,” a 30-minute choral cantata, which sets to music the letters, speeches and poems of African-American female poets, activists and civil rights leaders, premieres Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. in Garrison Theater of Scripps College’s Performing Arts Center. This performance is free to the public, but tickets are required.
An original work, commissioned by Scripps College, “True Witness” recognizes the notable contributions of African-American women who helped steer the course of this nation’s civil rights movement. Through the interpretation of their words, set to music, this project will urge audiences, students, scholars and the community to consider their historical significance in the struggle for civil rights in this country.
“True Witness” was composed by Jodi Goble and will be conducted by Scripps professor Charles Kamm. Four choirs perform the piece: the Claremont Concert and Chamber Choirs, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Chamber Singers and the Inside-Out Crossroads Choir. Soprano Gwendolyn Lytle of Pomona College and internationally renowned operatic bass-baritone Simon Estes perform as soloists. Scripps College and the Joint Music Program of Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges jointly present this event, which includes a selection of other musical numbers as well. To reserve tickets, please visit scripps-staging.skybox0.com/truewitness. For more information, call the College’s Office of Public Events at 909-607-9372 or the Joint Music Program at 909-607-3267.
Prior to the cantata, the public is invited to a 1 p.m. panel discussion with Scripps faculty and with Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African-American students who worked at integrating an Arkansas high school in 1957. This panel will explore the role that African-American women played in the civil rights movement. Tickets are not required for this discussion, which will be held in Balch Hall, 1030 Columbia Ave., Claremont.