NEC Contemporary Musical Arts Department: What Does Earth Need? A Call to Action

The Contemporary Musical Arts Department presents a concert, directed by Linda Chase and Hankus Netsky, that explores the relationship of musical artists to the current state of the world, specifically in regard to climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental justice. Themes of the concert include our relationships with all living beings other than humans, our relationships with communities impacted by climate disaster, and musicians as forces for change in the community.

Repertoire includes Norouz, a piece referencing the traditional Iranian springtime New Year’s celebration of the rebirth of the world; Souffle Van, a Haitian folk song about the relationship of people to the earth and nature; Breaths by Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock; an updated version of Marvin Gaye’s Mercy, Mercy Me (the Ecology); and a variety of other music that calls on humanity to create a more just and sustainable world. The concert also features performances by the CMA Department’s Contemporary Vocal Ensemble directed by Farayi Malek and the newly formed local chapter of the Resistance Revival Chorus directed by Morgan Brookman.

The live stream of this event is available to NEC Community members only. To watch the stream, please click the “Streaming Access” button at the top of the page and enter the NEC Community streaming password on the video window labeled “NEC-Produced Stream” when prompted.