Palaver Strings Open Rehearsal for Affirmation

Stop by to experience an open rehearsal as Palaver Strings joins forces with the genre-defying chamber ensemble Warp Trio to present Affirmation. You can come and go as you please during this window of time.

This program centers music and stories that have been suppressed or misrepresented in mainstream media narratives. At the heart of the project is Affirmation, a new concerto grosso for piano trio, percussion, electronics, and strings. Written by Warp Trio’s own Josh Henderson, this piece is inspired by Assata Shakur’s poetry, which, in Henderson’s words, “encapsulates the experiences of Black trauma, chaos, loss, and joy while maintaining a commitment to Black life and living.” Shakur’s writing, the campaign of fear coordinated against her, and her arrest and escape, all find potent echoes in our current political climate. Our program also features Kareem Roustom’s Dabke for String Orchestra, Florence Price’s Five Folk Songs in Counterpoint, and Akenya Seymour’s Fear the Lamb, which addresses the life and death of Emmett Till in three vivid movements. In this age of unprecedented access to truth and misinformation, Op-Ed reflects on the struggle for representation, in the concert hall and the world at large.

• Florence Price, 5 Folk Songs in Counterpoint

• Akenya Seymour, Fear the Lamb

• Kareem Roustom, Dabke for String Orchestra

• Josh Henderson, Affirmation

Palaver Strings is a musician-led string ensemble and nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME. Founded in 2014, Palaver has established itself as a forward-thinking ensemble whose mission is to strengthen and inspire community through music. In our musician-led model, Palaver’s musicians share artistic and administrative leadership, guided by a passion for engaging new audiences, addressing social justice issues, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Palaver has toured widely throughout the United States, performing at the Kennedy Center and a celebration of the Lullaby Project at Carnegie Hall. The ensemble has enjoyed residencies at Rockport Music (2019-2020), Boston Center for the Arts (2017-2019), and Bay Chamber Concerts (ongoing). Each year, Palaver presents 40+ live performances featuring diverse musical programming, cross-genre projects, and community collaborations. Equally committed to education, Palaver offers quality music instruction through the Palaver Music Center in Portland, currently serving over 325 students per year. https://www.palaverstrings.org/

Contact Colby Arts Office Program Manager Tyler French at [email protected] if you have any questions.