PUT YOUR GUNS DOWN

Music @ The Wallis is generously made possible by Terri and Jerry Kohl

Making their Wallis debut, GRAMMY-award winning vocal choir Tonality combines melodic harmonies to present concerts on themes of social justice in hopes to catalyze empathy and community activism. Put Your Guns Down discusses issues related to gun violence in the United States. Some of the selections will discuss mass shootings, police brutality, the effects on victims, school shootings, and suicide prevention. The concert also focuses on an active sense of peace as we come together to find solutions toward the epidemic of gun violence in this country. This evening’s performance will feature the world premiere of Alexander Lloyd Blake’s Running From, Running To: A Musical Reflection on Ahmaud Arbery.

ABOUT RUNNING FROM, RUNNING TO: A MUSICAL REFLECTION ON AHMAUD ARBERY

Premiering at The Wallis this May is Alexander Lloyd Blake’s Running From, Running To: A Musical Reflection on Ahmaud Arbery. A musical work that explores Ahmaud Arbery’s passions and dreams; how those were stolen; and how we are all a part of his story. Arbery was murdered during a racially motivated hate crime in February 2020.

This roughly 30-minute work for choir, orchestra and soloists will showcase the different musical genres that are an integral part of Blake’s musical makeup. The text for the piece is based on Blake’s reflections upon reading the poetry of Imani Tolliver.

Running From, Running To: A Musical Reflection on Ahmaud Arbery is made possible by the MAP Fund. 

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