Upcoming Show
WITH THIS LAND
A collaboration between the Newman Church Choir, Geoffrey Greene, Director, and the AUREA Ensemble, Consuelo Sherba, Artistic Director, reflects upon the history of the land and its inhabitants. The Newman Church congregation was founded in 1643 when the first minister, Rev. Samuel Newman, secured land from Chief Massasoit of the Pokanoket Tribal nation. Although the land was called Seekonk by the indigenous people, Samuel Newman called it Rehoboth, a Biblical term meaning open spaces or “God has made room for us.” With this single act, both the church congregation and the town of Rehoboth were formed.
This concert, weaving music, poetry and prose, includes music and words sacred to the Pokanoket tribe, Thawn Harris, Narragansett storyteller who will play the traditional cedar flute, and Sherenté Harris, poet who will offer prayers in the Algonquin dialect, the music includes works of William Billings, Daniel Read, George Frideric Handel, Randall Thompson, John Cage, and Chris Turner’s evocative harmonica improvisations, along with writings of Sylvanus Chace Newman, John Donne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Herman Melville, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Featuring:
Thawn Harris, Narragansett Storyteller, Cedar Flute
Sherenté Harris, Poet
AUREA
The Alchemy of Music & Words
Consuelo Sherba, Artistic Director
Nigel Gore, spoken word
Chris Turner, spoken word & harmonica
Sarah Whitney & Lauren Cless, violins
Consuelo Sherba, viola
Emmanuel Feldman, cello
Newman Church Choir
Geoffrey Greene, Director
Becky Bass, soprano
Barbara Youmans, alto
Neil Letendre, tenor
Jonne Gomes, bass