With the Slavery Documents commission and performance – and the themes therein – comes the opportunity to reach out to the African American community and encourage participation in this event and beyond. As part of this effort, the organization will expand and focus all education, community programming, and Chamber Series performances on exploring the abiding effects of slavery and injustice. The Slavery Documents project allows us to delve deeply into the ideas and issues intrinsic in these works through adult outreach. We as an organization believe – as reflected in our mission – that composition and performance come alive under the lens of critical inquiry, particularly when the texts themselves deal with such deep humanitarian issues. The Adult Outreach program for the 2002 season will consist of a five-session series. (click here for Classroom Cantata events) (click here for TV, Radio and Print Media events)

Slavery and Historic Boston
Sunday, February 3, 3 p.m.
African Meeting House
8 Smith Court, Boston
Scholar Robert Hayden leads a lecture/discussion on Boston during the antebellum period of the Civil War. Select group of Cantata Singers and guest chorus perform traditional Negro spirituals typical of that period as well as arrangements from local Boston composers to assist and enhance the discussion.
Free admission
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The Long Journey
Sunday, February 17, 3 p.m.
Bethel A.M.E. Church
215 Forest Hills St., Jamaica Plain
Cantata Singers Music Director David Hoose leads a lecture/discussion on the five-year composition and research project, the struggle, the passion and the ultimate creation of Donald Sur’s Slavery Documents. Specific topics will include the genesis of the work, Donald Sur’s explanations of why the plight of African slaves resonated so profoundly with a Korean American, and finally, the irony and compositional creativity behind Donald Sur’s Slavery Documents. Excerpts from the libretto will be used as topics of discussion. A small ensemble of Cantata Singers will perform excerpts from the piece.
Free admission

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T.J. Anderson appearance
Sunday, February 24, 11:30 a.m.. – 1:30 p.m.
Christ Church Cambridge
Zero Garden St., Cambridge
T.J. Anderson will lead a discussion and composition workshop, focusing on extracting texts from historical documents and studying aspects of his musical work. Bring a sandwich. Drinks and dessert provided.
For members of Cambridge churches
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I, Too, Sing America
Family concert
Sunday, February 24, 3 p.m.
Mainstage Auditorium, Roxbury Community College
1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury
The Cantata Singers Chamber Series, Kayo Iwama, Music Director and pianist, presents a song recital featuring Civil War-era songs, spirituals, and works of African American composers and poets. The performance will include works of African American composers and poets such as Langston Hughes, Leslie Adams, Margaret Bonds, William Grant Still, and George Walker, along with Stephen Foster. During the performance Chamber Series Music Director Kayo Iwama explains the history and significance of the selections. Pre-concert workshop, 2 p.m. Composer T.J. Anderson and a small group of Cantata Singers present a family-friendly workshop on composition and setting text to music.
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Slavery Documents: The Legacy of American Slavery in the Modern Age
Tuesday, February 26, 6 p.m.
Boston Public Library
700 Boylston St., Boston
Composer T. J. Anderson shares his thoughts on the historical context and contemporary relevance of his Slavery Documents 2. Music Director David Hoose and a quartet of Cantata Singers provide musical examples. Jointly hosted by the Boston Athenaeum and The Partnership – an organization that works to keep young up-and-coming African American professionals in the Boston area through facilitating greater community and civic involvement. Part of the Boston Athenaeum lecture series.
Free admission
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Slavery Documents: Pre-concert lecture
Sunday, March 17, 1:45 pm
Higginson Hall South, Symphony Hall Cohen Wing
Composer T.J. Anderson
The previous four workshops will be realized at the pre-concert lecture and performance of Slavery Documents and Slavery Documents 2. Mr. Anderson will give a more general overview of his composition and how it complements Donald Sur’s Slavery Documents.
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Donald Sur: Slavery Documents
T.J. Anderson: Slavery Documents 2 Concert
Sunday, March 17, 3:00 pm
Symphony Hall, Boston
David Hoose, Music Director
The Cantata Singers & Ensemble with David Hoose, Music Director present an encore performance of Donald Sur's Slavery Documents together with the world premiere of its spiritual companion, T.J. Anderson's Slavery Documents 2. The critically acclaimed Cantata Singers chorus is joined by a chorus of African American singers and by soloists including soprano Karyl Ryczek, mezzo-soprano Cynthia Clarey, tenor Rockland Osgood, and baritone David Arnold. Tickets: $16, $28, $44, This program is sponsored in part by generous grants from The Boston Foundation, The Foley, Hoag & Eliot Foundation, Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, and National Endowment for the Arts.
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T.J. Anderson’s Community Availability: Mr. Anderson will be offering a symposium at Tufts University and will also be available for public engagements to community groups and churches throughout the week of February 24. During this period Mr. Anderson will also be interviewed on numerous radio and television programs.
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