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A Change is Gonna Come: Songs of Protest

PALAVER STRINGS with special guest – NICHOLAS PHAN, tenor

The acclaimed Portland-based, musician-led chamber orchestra returns to Screen Door as ensemble in residence. Featuring Grammy nominated tenor Nicholas Phan, this program explores our country’s rich legacy of protest songs. Repertoire includes traditional songs of protest and music inspired by social movements and historical events, including Akenya Seymour’s Fear the Lamb, and a new commission by Errollyn Wallen. Spanning genres, eras, and movements, A Change is Gonna Come provokes conversation, confronts our past and present, and celebrates the act of protest as one of our most precious rights.

Palaver Strings has distinguished itself for their sense of musical adventure and eagerness to engage with music and collaborators from many different genres and traditions. Described by the Boston Globe as “one of the world’s most remarkable singers,” tenor Nicholas Phan is praised for his charismatic stage presence and natural musicianship. He performs regularly with the world’s leading orchestras and opera companies.

PROGRAM ROBERTA SLAVITT, ALFRED HAYES, MALVINA REYNOLDS Freedom is a Constant Struggle/I dreamed I saw Joe Hill/It isn’t nice (arrangement by DOMENIC SALERNI) HARRY BURLEIGH, LANGSTON HUGHES Lovely, Dark & Lonely One (arrangement by IAN GOTTLIEB) ABEL MEEROPOL/BILLIE HOLIDAY Strange Fruit AKENYA SEYMOUR Fear the Lamb BOB DYLAN Blowin’ in the Wind (arrangement by DOMENIC SALERNI) JONI MITCHELL, PHIL OCHS, PETE SEEGER Fiddle and the Drum, What Are You Fighting For?, Where Have all the Flowers Gone? (arrangement by DOMENIC SALERNI) ERROLLYN WALLEN Songs for the People - World Premiere SAM COOKE A Change is Gonna Come

August 18 | 5:30PM