A Note from the Artistic Director
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
English and Spanish
800-273-8255
One morning in Asheville, NC, I was approached by a police officer while on my way to retrieve some things from my car. The officer stopped and questioned me, and he asked for my identification. After he dismissed me, I was left confused and embarrassed, and I struggled to figure out the reason why I was approached by the officer. I did not do anything wrong. It became obvious to me that it was because I am a man of color.
This type of incident occurs far too often in our society, and it has to stop. Based on that experience, I knew that I needed to do something. No more racism, no more exclusion, no more discrimination. I decided to do what I do best: make music. I decided to form a choir whose purpose is to increase awareness through music. After meeting every member of Tonality, I realized that I was not alone, that many others possess a passion for unity, for bringing people together.
Since its formation a short time ago, Tonality has received support from artists who also value diversity and social justice through their music. India Carney from U.S. Season 8 of The Voice says, “Tonality is going to broaden horizons for music and show a diverse array of faces for classical music as we know it.” Grant Gershon, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, states, “Choral singing is about sharing our voices, our traditions, and our experiences. Tonality has the potential to bring the amazingly diverse voices, traditions, and experiences of Los Angelenos together in a powerful new way.”
Tonality, now a Grammy award-winning ensemble, has grown immensely since that first rehearsal on June, 6, 2016. The singers come from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities and countries. They are professional singers from Los Angeles who care about the future of our country and our world, and we sing in unity to actively demonstrate the beauty of diversity.
We hope that this concert offers a safe space for those who are dealing with mental illness and friends and loved ones who support. While this concert speaks of challenges of mental health and suicide prevention, we also hope that this concert will serve as a reminder that each of you are loved, appreciated, and valued in our community. Thank you for coming and sharing your hearts with us.
Concert Program
Can You See
Oh, say say say say
Say say say say
Say say say say
Can you see, can you see,
Can you see, can you see,
Say, can you see, can you see,
Can you see, can you see,
Can you see, can you see,
By the dawn’s early light,
Dawn’s early light?
Love is love,
Can you see, can you see,
Can you see, can you see,
Can you see, can you see,
Love is love,
Love is love,
Black lives matter,
Black lives matter,
Black lives matter,
Matter.
Women’s rights are human rights,
no human is illegal.
Women’s rights are human rights,
no human is illegal.
No human is illegal.
No human is illegal.
No human is illegal.
Women’s rights are human rights.
Say, can you see, can you see,
Can you see, can you see,
Can you see, can you see,
By the dawn’s early light,
Science is real. Water is life.
Science is real. Water is life.
Science is real. Water is life.
Science is real. Water is life.
Science is real. Water is life.
Science is real. Water is life.
Love is love. Love is love.
Love is love. Love is love.
Love is love.
Kindness is ev’rything. Kindness is ev’rything.
Kindness is ev’rything. Kindness is ev’rything.
Ev’rything. Ev’rything.
Oh, say can you see
By the dawn’s early light?
Love is love.
Black lives matter.
Women’s rights are human rights.
Oh, say can you see
By the dawn’s early light?
No human is illegal.
Science is real.
Water is life.
Kindness is ev’rything.
Kindness is ev’rything.
Ev’rything, ev’rything.
Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free
and the home of the brave?
In This House
Hmm…
If you are detained by ICE: Remain silent.
You have the right to not sign anything.
You have the right to call your attorney or emergency contact.
You have the right to call your consulate.
You have the right to find out your Alien Number.
Todos tenemos estos derechos.
(We all have those rights.)
Todos tenemos estos derechos.
(We all have those rights.)
Todos.
(All.)
This house was built on dreams,
This house was built on dreams,
And fear, and hope, and the unknown.
Unknown, unknown.
This house was built on love,
And tradition, and food.
In this house, we harbor “drug lords”
In this house, we harbor “drug lords”
and “rapist” And “illegals” and “aliens”
If ICE comes to your home,
do not open the door.
[In this house, we harbor tias (aunts),
and primos (cousins), and hermanas (sisters)]
You are NOT required to open the door
unless ICE has a warrant signed by a judge.
[In this house, we harbor tias (aunts),
and primos (cousins), and hermanas (sisters)]
Ask them to show you the warrant -
Slide it under the door or hold it up to the window.
[In this house, we harbor tias (aunts),
and primos (cousins), and hermanas (sisters)]
IF THEY TRY TO FORCE THE DOOR OPEN
Write down the agents’ badge numbers
and vehicles’ license plate numbers.
[In this house, we harbor tias (aunts),
and primos (cousins), and hermanas (sisters)]
Ah…
In this house, in this house,
we harbor innovators,
and workers, and dreamers,
Dreamers, mm.
Dios te bendiga. Dios te bendiga.
Dios te bendiga. Dios te bendiga.
(God bless you)
mm
n’na’nn
1232 Lyfe
1 2 3…
1 2 and 3, 2 and 3 to 1 2 and 3…
I’m sitting here facin’ twenty-five to life,
You met up with some friends and got in a fight.
You know that the system is made to throw us away,
nothing has changed.
But that was fifteen years ago,
he took the socks cuz our baby’s feet were cold.
Didn’t know that the sins of my past would come back tenfold,
life no parole.
How could you call this a crime?
They sayin’ one mo’ time they give me life.
Strike 3 2 1
Oh we’re runnin’ outta time.
A system broken
Many years stolen
For a petty crime
Twenty five to life,
Locked away, forgotten
There’s no room to forgive in a law that stems from pain.
Fear and justice aren’t the same.
Where is there room for grace when a law says one to three,
3 to life
All of my, all, all of my life
A system broken,
Many years stolen.
For a petty crime,
Twenty five to life,
Locked away, forgotten.
This law, this system broken,
Too many years are stolen, why?
The cost must match the price, not a life.
This law, this system broken,
Too many years are stolen, why?
The cost must match the price, not a life.
1 2 and 3, 2 and 3 to 1 2 and 3, 3 2 life.
A Lullaby
The stars are twinkling in the skies;
the earth is lost in slumbers deep.
So hush, my sweet, and close thine eyes,
and let me lull thy soul to sleep.
Compose thy dimpled hands to rest,
and like a little birdling lie secure within thy
cozy nest upon my loving mother breast,
and slumber to my lullaby.
So hushaby, hushaby,
hush my sweet and close thine eyes,
and slumber to my lullaby,
so hushaby, hushaby.
The moon is singing to a star
the little song I sing to you.
The father sun has strayed afar
as baby’s sire is straying too.
And so the loving mother moon
sings to the little star on high;
and as she sings, her gentle tune is borne to me,
and thus I croon for thee, my sweet, that
lullaby of hushaby, hushaby,
hush my sweet and close thine eyes,
and slumber to my lullaby,
so hushaby, hushaby.
There is a little one asleep
that does not hear his mother’s song;
but angel watchers as I weep
surround his grave the night-tide long.
And as I sing, my sweet, to you,
oh, would the lullaby I sing,
the same sweet lullaby he knew
while slumbering on this bosom too,
were borne to him on angel’s wing!
So hushaby, hushaby,
lullaby, lullaby, hushaby, hushaby,
lullaby.
Make Peace
If you can make peace, make peace:
in the heavens, in us, in all the world.
Make peace.
Lady in Blue
Tubes, tables, white-washed windows.
Grime from age wiped over once.
Legs spread. Anxious. Anxious.
Eyes crawlin up on me.
Eyes rollin’ in my thighs.
Metal horses gnaw at my womb.
Dead mice fall from my mouth.
I didn’t really mean to,
I didn’t really think I could,
Just one day off.
Get offa’ me all o’ this blood!
Bones shattered like soft ice cream cones.
I couldn’t have all o’ those people
lookin’ at me pregnant.
I couldn’t have my friends see this.
This, this dyin’ danglin’ ‘tween my legs
and I didn't say a word.
Not a sigh.
Not a sigh or a fat scream.
Scream to get those eyes offa me!
Get those steel drums outta me!
Get those eyes up offa me!
Get those steel drums outta me!
This hurts! This hurts me!
Eyes crawlin’ up on me.
Eyes rollin’ in my thighs.
Metal horses gnaw at my womb.
Dead mice fall from my mouth.
I didn’t really mean to,
I didn’t really think I could,
Just one day off.
Get offa’ me all o’ this blood!
Get offa’ me all o’ this blood!
Get offa’ me all o’ this blood!
Get offa’ me all o’ this blood!
Bones shattered like soft ice cream cones.
And nobody came ‘cause nobody knew once I was pregnant and ‘shamed of myself.
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Dm da ya duh n duh oo da ya da n duh
When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all.
I’m on your side.
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
I will lay me down.
Oo
When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I’ll take your part.
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
New Collective Consciousness: 1. We Know
I. “We know”
Ok is the first Icelandic glacier
to lose its status as a glacier.
In the next 200 years,all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path.
This monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done
Only you know if we did it.
Sons and Daughters
Easy on the earth, lightly on the water,
remember this place is for your sons and
daughters,
Easy on the earth, lightly on the water
Remember who this place is for
Get your kids to a garden, with the garden they'll
grow
They'll learn to go easy and learn to live slow
Just get your kids to a garden, with the garden
they'll grow
They'll learn to go easy on the earth, lightly on
the water
Remember this place is for your sons and
daughters
Easy on the earth, lightly on the water
Remember who this place is for
Get your kids to a river, with the river they'll flow
It'll teach em' how to paddle, teach em’ how to
row.
Get your kids to a river, with the river they'll flow
It'll take em' where they need to go
Ima' go easy, easy, I’m going easy yea (REPEAT)
Let em' see their reflection wherever they go
In the rain water, flood water, sleet, hail, snow
Let em' see their reflection wherever they go
And go Easy on the earth, lightly on the water,
remember this place is for your sons and
daughters,
Easy on the earth, lightly on the water
Remember who this place is for.
Let Your True Self Sing
Cold winds blow over my barren soul,
Scattered pieces of my life across broken time,
I am alone.
Surrounded by eternity
I hear a voice
Calling me:
Come back…
I am broken, yet whole.
Listen deeply,
Your true self sings
Throw open the door,
Come back to that voice,
Share that voice,
Your voice…
Please Stay
No! Don’t go!
Don’t let your worst day be your last.
The storm is strong, but it will pass.
You think you can’t go on another day,
but please stay. Just stay.
Hope is real. Help is real.
You are breath, you are life,
you are beauty, you are light.
Your story is not over.
You are not a burden to anyone.
Please stay. Just stay.
#UnitedWeDream from American DREAMers suite
This is where we found
our home away from home.
This is where we belong.
Mother Earth, who feeds us all,
takes our roots no matter how long,
she’s whisp’ring:
this is where you belong.
(repeat 2 more times)
Resist! Resist! Resist! Resist! Resist! Resist!
Pelea con diente y madre!
Pelea con diente y madre!
(Fight with tooth and mother!)
She’s whisp’ring:
this is where you belong, Dreamer!
She’s whisp’ring:
this is where you belong, Dreamer!
She’s whisp’ring: this is where you belong.
America Will Be!
mm… oo…
oh oo oh mm ah mm
Yo sueño de un nuevo amanecer…
(Spanish: I dream of a new dawn)
Who are you that mumbles in the dark?
Who are you that draws your veil across the stars?
Mage anagatha sinduwa…
(Sindhala: I sing for the future)
Umaasa ako no may pagbabago
(Filipino: I hope there is a change)
‘Atamanaa ‘an albashar yatealam an yu hib
(Arabic: I hope that people can learn to love)
Eu canto porque estou livre
(Portuguese: I sing because I am free)
I’m the one who dreamt a dream
while still a serf of kings,
A dream so strong, so brave,
so true that even yet it sings,
even yet it sings,
mm ah
Umaasa aka no may pagbabago…
(I hope there is change.)
Mage anagatha sinduwa…
(I sing for the future.)
‘Atamanaa ‘an albashar yatealam an yu hib…
(I hope that people can learn to love.)
Eu canto porque estou livre.
(I sing because I am free.)
To build a homeland of the free.
Free?
Oo…
Give me your tired,
Wŏ mèngxiăngzhe měihăo de wèilái
(Mandarin: I dream of a better future)
Give me your poor.
Seigi wo motomete
(Japanese: I hope for justice)
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
Ich singe für eine Flucht aus der Welt
(German: I sing for an escape from the world)
Give me the wretched refuse
of your teeming shore.
Còn uoć mong hoà binh
(Vietnamese: I dream of peace)
Mwen chante pou lapè sou Latè
(Haitian Creole: I sing for peace)
Send these to me! Send these to me!
Send these to me!
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
ah
For all the songs we’ve sung,
And all the dreams we’ve dreamed,
America was never America to me,
and yet, and yet I swear, and yet I swear:
America will be!
Soñar es Desear (A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes)
Soñar es desear la dicha (To dream is to wish for joy)
En el porvenir (in the future)
Lo que el corazón anhela (What the heart longs for)
Se sueña y se suele vivir. (it dreams and it’s used to living.)
Si amor es el bien deseado (If love is well-desired)
En dulces sueños llegará (it will come in sweet dreams)
No importa cuan dificil sea. (It doesn’t matter how difficult it is)
En tanto tú lo creas (as soon as you belive it,)
Se hará realidad tu soñar. (your dreaming will be your reality.)
Performers
Soprano
- Cassandra Duschane
- Vi Jordan
- Estelle Ocegueda
- Luz Rodriguez
Alto
- Natalie Gonzalez
- Even Johnson
- Hannah Rose Lewis
- Angelica Rowell
Tenor
- Sammy Avila
- Isaiah Chacon
- Kion Heidari
- David Morales
Bass
- Jacob Alvarez-Ruiz
- Dylan Gentile
- Aaron Jung
- 'Sekend
ASL Interpreters
-
Special Thanks
Tonality Board of Directors
- Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake, Executive/Founding Director
- Dr. David Connors, Chairperson
- Caroline McKenzie, Vice-Chairperson
- Joe Trapanese, Secretary
- Dr. Kimberly Bradshaw, Treasurer
- Jacob Broussard
- Roman GianArthur
- Kelci Hahn
- David Morales
- Rita Morales
- Jordan Reddout
- Julie Smith
- Anji Tan
- Daniel Tapetillo
Honorary Board Members
- Michael Abels
- Kris Bowers
- Lara Downes
- Dr. Melissa Dunphy
- Brian Lauritzen
- Nikky Finney
- Kevin “K.O.” Olusola
- Joel Thompson
Advisory Board Members
- Dr. Derrell Acon
- Stacy Brightman
- Melissa Denton
- Kristy Edmunds
- Ted Hearne
- Luke McEndarfer
- Thomas Mikusz
- Jen Rogers
- Sara Scott
- Leslie Thomas
- Booker White
We sincerely thank:
- Kristen Simpson, Asst. Conductor and Rehearsal Accompanist
- Alex Morales, Company Manager
- Abitha Nunis, Tonality Intern
- Michelle Sorgen, Grant Writer
- Ninette Ayala, Development Officer
- Allen Moon, David Lieberman Artist's Representatives
- David Lieberman, David Lieberman Artist's Representatives
- Dr. Andrea Solya, Univ. of Illinois Chamber Singers, Conductor
- Andrew Almeter, Senior Performing Arts Production Coordinator, Krannert Center
- Andrew Giza, Events Director/Artistic Programming Curator
- Sam Smith, Director of Civic Engagement and Social Practice
- Lisa J. Kidd, Lighting Director, Krannert Center
- Alec LaBau, Assoc. Audio Director/Video Director
- Zach Osinski, Production Assistant
- Nick Jukes, Theatrical lighting Coordinator
- Danielle Johnson, Supertitle Runner
- Amy Thomas, Food Services Director
Acknowledgments
2024 Supporters of Tonality
- California Arts Council
- California Community Foundation LA Arts Recovery Fund
- California Impact Grant
- City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
- Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture Organizational Grant
- Michael and Irene Ross Endowment of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
- Tejemos Foundation
Tonality Sustainers ($10,000 & above)
- Alexander Blake
- Tejemos Foundation
Tonality Sponsors (up to $10,000)
- Leigh Jones-Bamman
- Peter Rutenberg
- Israel Schachter
- Joseph Trapanese
Tonality Contributors (up to $5,000)
- David Connors
- Sara Scott
Tonality Supporters (up to $2,500)
- Shawn Kirchner
- Jodie Landau
- Kevin Olusola
- Caroline Robinson
Tonality Builders (up to $1,000)
- Michael Abels
- Kenneth Foster
- Roman GianArthur
- Stuart Marks
- John McGuire
- Booker White
Tonality Friends (up to $500)
- Jamie Crawford
- Brian Gorelick
- Eva Jones
- Carolyn Kelley
- Guy Maeda
- Karen Murphy O'Brien
- Pavane Music Inc
- Julie Smith
- Joel Thompson
- Brandon Faber & Matthew Turner Shelton
- Frank & Catherine Zachary
Tonality Community (up to $100)
- Michael Anderson
- Steffany Ayala
- Liza Beth
- Stacy Brightman
- Bucklesweet Media
- Denise Carite
- Katie Crawford
- Michael Davis
- Glenda Delenstarr
- Lisa Dent
- Julie Eidsvoog
- Klo Garoute
- Tyler Griffin
- Marina Harris
- Evan Johnson
- Daniel Jordan
- Victoria Kirsch
- Randall Lindsey
- Rachel Maloney
- Lisa Margaroli
- Cynthia Marty
- Jack McHugh
- Brenda Reddout
- Michael Rowan
- Dave Schmidt
- Moira Smiley
- Beth Snowden-Ifft
- Elizabeth Thomas
- Amelia Thompson
- David Topping
- Pietro Torrisi
- Maura Tuffy
- Anne Watson Born
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Upcoming Events
Good and evil battle it out in an American retelling of the classic story. Randy Newman’s only musical features the songwriter’s unmatched wit and some of his greatest songs. Thirty years since Newman’s album debuted, the rock, Gospel, pop, and Broadway-inspired tunes are as timely and catchy as ever. Following in the footsteps of James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, and Bonnie Raitt, this Soraya-produced original concert will feature an all-star cast of fresh talent led by two Broadway phenoms – Reeve Carney (Showtime’s Penny Dreadful and Hadestown) as the Devil and Javier Muñoz (In the Heights and Hamilton) as The Lord.
Good and evil battle it out in an American retelling of the classic story. Randy Newman’s only musical features the songwriter’s unmatched wit and some of his greatest songs. Thirty years since Newman’s album debuted, the rock, Gospel, pop, and Broadway-inspired tunes are as timely and catchy as ever. Following in the footsteps of James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, and Bonnie Raitt, this Soraya-produced original concert will feature an all-star cast of fresh talent led by two Broadway phenoms – Reeve Carney (Showtime’s Penny Dreadful and Hadestown) as the Devil and Javier Muñoz (In the Heights and Hamilton) as The Lord.
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"You Are Not Alone" – a concert by Tonality that dares to shatter the silence surrounding mental illness and challenge society's labels on those who battle with unseen struggles. Through the mesmerizing compositions of Gesualdo, the soulful melodies of Jessie J, the evocative notes of Dale Trumbore, the soul-stirring sounds of Alexander Lloyd Blake, Natalie Dietterich, and more, we dive headfirst into the realms of poets and artists whose music illuminates the path of mental illness. This concert isn't just about the music; it's a call to unite, challenge stigmas, and extend our hands to our fellow community members who deserve nothing less than understanding, validation, and love. Join us on this transformative evening as we unravel the stories that deserve to be heard, the stories that will inspire us to create a more compassionate and empathetic world.
HomeCare focuses on the climate crisis, including the words of young leaders who have spoken about the urgency of action toward conserving what resources are available on this planet. We've designed this concert to educate us on aspects of climate change that go beyond our emotional response. We hope that you will leave this space aware of our limited resources and how we must work to protect them for generations to come.