UW Singing Statesmen, Symphonic Band Target Social Justice Issues in April 18 Concert

The University of Wyoming Department of Music’s Singing Statesmen and the Symphonic Band present “Where We Walk” in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall Thursday, April 18.

The concert, starting at 7:30 p.m., will feature a wide variety of music from many genres. Tickets cost $10.50 for the public, $7.50 for senior citizens and $6.50 for students. Tickets are available at the Performing Arts box office and the Wyoming Union information desk, by calling (307) 766-6666 or going online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

The Singing Statesmen, directed by Nicole Lamartine, will perform movements from a larger work called “The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed,” based on the last words seven young black men said after they were shot by police.

To highlight those who have stood up to injustice and walked with those whose voices were silenced, the Symphonic Band, directed by Robert Belser, will present “A Movement for Rosa.” The piece has become an homage to those courageous heroes among us, Belser says.

“Through music, we hope to walk away from prejudice, xenophobia and fear,” Lamartine says.

The Singing Statesmen also will present their traditional songs; a Haitian voodoo song, “Fre O,” which calls for the healing of a sick brother; a haunting Irish tune, “She Moved Through the Fair”; and one of the oldest known war ballads, “El Hombre Armado.”

The Symphonic Band will add to the concert with its performance of “Irish Tune from County Derry,” “Three Sketches for Winds” and “Arabian Dance.”

UW’s male a cappella group, the Happy Jacks, also will make an appearance at the concert, performing pop and contemporary songs.

For more information, call Lamartine at (307) 288-0042 or email choir@uwyo.edu.