Considering Matthew Shepard

This recording features members of both choirs discussing their performance of the modern oratorio "Considering Matthew Shepard," composed by Craig Hella Johnson in response to the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man, in Wyoming in 1998. The choirs reflect on the impact of Shepard's life and death, the significance of the performance, and their own connections to the themes of the oratorio.

The recording begins with introductions from Rheya McCowan, Etienne Wain, Sarah Harwood, and Uthara, members of the Wellington and Christchurch Youth Choirs, respectively. They describe the collaborative nature of the performance, which involves not only their two choirs but also instrumentalists from the New Zealand School of Music and soloist Joshua Jameson. They highlight the importance of the lyrics in conveying the message of the work, especially given the acoustic challenges of performing in such a large, reverberant space like the cathedral.

"Considering Matthew Shepard" is described as a deeply emotional work that addresses themes of love, loss, hope, and humanity. The oratorio, structured in three parts, weaves together various musical styles, including jazz, blues, and even elements of cowboy songs, to tell the story of Matthew Shepard and to reflect on broader themes of acceptance and grace. The choir members discuss the challenges of performing pieces that deal with difficult and painful topics, such as the hate and violence faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during the scenes depicting protests by the Westboro Baptist Church at Shepard’s funeral.

Throughout the discussion, the performers emphasize the importance of understanding and remembering LGBTQ+ history, noting how often queer stories are left out or forgotten. For many members of the choir, the oratorio serves as a way to connect with this history, even if they were not alive during Shepard's life. The choirs express a strong sense of responsibility to honor Shepard's legacy and to share his story with new generations, reflecting a commitment to not only remember the past but also to affect change in the present.

The Wellington and Christchurch Youth Choirs are both described as self-run organizations, with their members actively involved in leadership and decision-making roles. They highlight the supportive and inclusive nature of their communities, emphasizing the friendships and bonds formed through their shared passion for music. This spirit of camaraderie and shared purpose is evident in their reflections on how they support one another, particularly when performing emotionally charged pieces like "Considering Matthew Shepard."

One of the choir members shares their experience of first learning about Matthew Shepard through the Laramie Project, a play based on interviews with people connected to Shepard’s story. This led them to a deeper understanding of the significance of Shepard's life and death and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Another member reflects on the transformative power of the oratorio’s final movement, where the word "free" is sung as the last note, symbolizing a message of liberation and hope.

The discussion also touches on the broader context of queer history and the importance of representation in the arts. The Wellington Youth Choir’s previous performance, titled "Huakina" focused on works by non-binary, irawhiti takatāpui and wahine composers from New Zealand, highlighting their commitment to centering diverse voices in their programming. This emphasis on inclusivity and representation aligns with their performance of "Considering Matthew Shepard," which they see as a way to continue raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and histories.

The recording concludes with the choir members reflecting on how the story of Matthew Shepard has changed them personally. They speak about the importance of grace, empathy, and a vision of a world where acceptance is the norm and where everyone, regardless of their identity, can belong without fear of discrimination or violence. For these young performers, participating in this oratorio has been a journey of not only honoring the past but also envisioning a more inclusive and loving future.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Etienne Wain Rheya McCowan Sarah Harwood

1990s, 2020s, aotearoa new zealand, considering matthew shepard (oratorio), craig hella johnson, etienne wain, huakina (performance event), judy shepard, matthew shepard, music, rheya mccowan, sarah harwood, the laramie project, united states of america, wellington, wellington cathedral of st paul, wellington youth choir, westboro baptist church, wyoming, youth

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