By José Daniel Flores-Caraballo, Opalka Family Artistic Director
Albany Pro Musica’s singers, staff, and board are guided by a simple yet profound belief: music has the power to capture the essence of the human spirit. This belief is embodied in our tagline, “voices capturing the human spirit,” and it resonates deeply in everything we do. Music is not just art; it is a force that unites, heals, and inspires—a universal language that transcends boundaries and creates profound connections. This belief comes to life in our upcoming Considering Matthew Shepard concert and the accompanying community engagement events.
Honoring Matthew Shepard Through Music
This season, we are proud to present the Capital Region premiere of Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard. This evocative choral work is more than a concert; it is a journey through one of the most heartbreaking and transformative stories of our time. The life, death, and legacy of Matthew Shepard—a young man whose brutal murder in 1998 became a turning point in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights—is at the heart of this moving composition. Through music, Johnson invites us to reflect on themes of inclusion, resilience, and hope while challenging us to imagine a more compassionate and just world.
Why Considering Matthew Shepard? Why now? For us, this project is not just about honoring the memory of Matthew Shepard; it is about using the transformative power of music to inspire understanding, connection, and healing. It is about creating a space where the Capital Region community can come together to reflect on the challenges we face and the progress we’ve made. It is about fostering conversations that matter, shining a light on stories that need to be told, and amplifying voices that too often go unheard.
The Power of Community Partnerships
This mission would not be possible without the support and partnership of organizations that share our values. Community engagement has always been central to Albany Pro Musica’s work, and it is through collaboration that we can truly make a difference. Our community partners bring expertise, passion, and perspectives that enrich our efforts and help us build deeper connections with the audiences we serve. Together, we are demonstrating how music can be a catalyst for social change, a unifying force that bridges divides and inspires action.
The power of Considering Matthew Shepard lies not only in its music but also in its ability to spark meaningful dialogue and foster empathy. To amplify this impact, we have organized a series of community engagement events that invite participants to explore the themes of the concert in creative and thought-provoking ways. These events are designed to inspire understanding and connection while honoring Matthew’s enduring legacy.
One of the cornerstones of these events is a documentary screening and panel discussion on February 27. This evening offers a unique opportunity to learn about the story of Matthew Shepard and the creation of the choral work, as well as to hear from experts and advocates about LGBTQIA+ representation and the role of the arts in driving social change. This discussion is not just an exploration of the past but a call to action for the future—a reminder that we all have a role to play in building a more inclusive world.
On March 9, the day of the concert, we continue this journey of connection and creativity with a communal art-making workshop for queer youth and their caregivers. This event, titled Understanding Through Art, invites participants to express themselves through art while engaging in meaningful discussions about identity, resilience, and hope. The artwork created during this workshop will be displayed at the concert, serving as a powerful reminder of the impact of collective creativity.
The day concludes with a post-concert audience reception, where attendees can reflect on the performance and engage in conversations with the artists and LGBTQIA+ community members. These moments of connection—fueled by the shared experience of music—are at the heart of what we do. They remind us of our shared humanity and our ability to create change when we come together.
Voices Capturing the Human Spirit
At its core, Albany Pro Musica’s work is about more than music; it is about using the arts to inspire and transform. Considering Matthew Shepard and the events surrounding it exemplify this commitment. They reflect our belief that music can shine a light on the most challenging aspects of our shared history while offering hope for a brighter future. They are a testament to the power of collaboration, the importance of community, and the enduring impact of voices that capture the human spirit.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Attend the concert, participate in the events, and add your voice to this vital conversation. Together, let’s honor Matthew Shepard’s legacy and celebrate the transformative power of music to heal, unite, and inspire.
This is what it means to embrace voices capturing the human spirit and to use the universal language of music to create a more compassionate world.