SKU: GI.G-1117
Music of William
Averitt. Composed by
Cameron LaBarr, Missouri
State University Chorale,
and William Averitt. GIA
ChoralWorks. Music
Education. Choral score.
GIA Publications #1117.
Published by GIA
Publications (GI.G-1117).
UPC:
785147011729.
â€
œHistory is written by
the victors…â€
In societal struggles,
those who “come out
on top†seem to get
to choose what is taught
as history. With respect
to racial matters in the
United States, the
struggles of people of
color have simply not
been a significant part
of historical studies in
American schools. The
immense failure of
Reconstruction on Black
people in America is the
cataclysm that is most
pertinent to the
retelling of Easter,
1906. Lynchings were a
deeply disturbing and
immoral method of
dominating, primarily,
Black people and
terrorizing them into
submission. Behind these
exercises in mob violence
lay frequently invented
claims of crimes. Easter,
1906 recounts one such
event that took place in
Springfield, Missouri,
over Easter weekend,
1906. Poet Robert Bode
has collected material
from historical documents
of the period and created
new poems that reflect
upon this tragic event.
In turn, Bode’s
words are here set to
music by composer William
Averitt for double choir,
spoken narration, piano
four-hands, and two
percussionists. Performed
by the Missouri State
University Chorale,
conducted by Cameron
LaBarr. Â A powerful
work like this is
important because we can
easily forget events that
have contributed to the
lingering blatant and
hidden prejudices that
exist today. It is
through this musical
presentation that
musicians and audiences
can have the tough yet
meaningful conversations
about how we all can do
and be better when
relating to others.
—Marques L. A.
Garrett  Â
Conductor and Composer
Learn more about the
story behind this project
in the video below:.
Will Lynch
