River City Mixed Chorus Considering Matthew Shepard

Considering Matthew Shepard is a profound choral work by composer Craig Hella Johnson that transforms tragedy into a meditation on love, acceptance, and healing. Commissioned and premiered by Conspirare in 2016, this large-scale piece weaves together original poetry, traditional texts, and found materials to tell the story of Matthew Shepard, the young gay man whose 1998 murder became a catalyst for hate crime legislation and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Johnson's composition doesn't simply recount events but creates a contemplative journey through grief toward hope and understanding.

This 90-minute work unfolds as both concert and quasi-theatrical experience, blending classical choral traditions with contemporary musical language. Audiences can expect moments of stark beauty alongside passages of raw emotional power, as the River City Mixed Chorus navigates Johnson's complex harmonies and rhythmic patterns. The piece incorporates spoken word, audience participation, and multimedia elements, creating an immersive experience that transcends traditional concert boundaries. While the subject matter is serious, the overall arc moves toward redemption and community healing.

The Orpheum Theatre provides an ideal setting for this powerful work, with its intimate acoustics allowing every nuance of the choral writing to resonate clearly. Originally built as a vaudeville house, the venue has evolved into Omaha's premier performing arts space, hosting everything from Broadway tours to symphony concerts. The theater's elegant interior and excellent sightlines ensure that audiences feel connected to the performers throughout this deeply personal musical journey.

Explore available dates for this moving choral experience on CultureTicks.