Above: A regional chorus’ concert theme this year focused on building bridges and issues around humanity and diversity. Now they are asking the public to join them in singing a song inspired by the words of Neslon Mandela that they would have performed in March at a concert cancelled due to the pandemic. (images from Facebook)
Assabet Valley Mastersingers is asking the community to join them in singing a special song about justice, peace, healing, and bridging chasms on Friday night. The group will be singing their “fervent plea” in support of Black Lives Matter.
AVM is a regional chorus that includes singers from Southborough. In March, the group was forced to postpone a concert dedicated to “building bridges among humanity”. It was part of the 2019-20 season’s “Building Bridges” theme.
One of the featured pieces to be performed was The Time Has Come, an a cappella selection. The lyrics were inspired by words from Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech: “The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come…”
On Friday, June 5th, at 7:30 pm, the group will be singing that song from their individual locations. This isn’t a virtual concert. It’s an invitation to lift our separate voices.
The announcement issued this morning acknowledges “we realize that singing is not enough, that action is needed” but points to a vision of the transformationational power of choral music. The email shares the song’s lyrics and a link to an example performance, inviting all to join them.
Here is the full announcement issued this morning by AVM’s Artistic Director Robert Eaton:
The Time Has Come
The Assabet Valley Mastersingers along with so many in the Arts community and in our community at large grieve over the senseless loss of life and unjust killings of our brothers and sisters of color not just of George Floyd, but also of Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Bo Jean, Laquan McDonald, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, and of the hundreds upon thousands of others whose deaths don’t make the headlines. Black Lives Matter!
We are guided by our Vision: To celebrate the transformational power of choral music which enhances the well-being of those in our region. We stand, kneel, grieve and weep with those who protest, with those who despair. While we realize that singing is not enough, that action is needed, we offer this plea in song. It was to have been featured on our cancelled March 2020 concert so all we have to offer is this recorded version sung by the Fairhaven Singers. Please join us at 7:30 PM Friday, June 5 as members of the Assabet Valley Mastersingers lift their separate voices, wherever they are, in this fervent plea. You may use the link below to sing along or follow along with the text.
“The Time Has Come” was premiered November 2015 and is based upon text drawn from Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech.
The Time Has Come- Erik Esenvalds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD0Wfra7MaUThere is no easy road to freedom.
None of us acting alone can achieve success.
We must therefore act together as a united people,
for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.The time for the healing of the wounds has come.
The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come.
The time to build is upon us.Let there be justice for all.
Let there be peace for all.
Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.
Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves.The time for the healing of the wounds has come.
The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come.
The time to build is upon us.
AVM has rescheduled its “Bridges to Unity: We Are Not Alone” concert for October. Whether or not Algonquin Regional High School’s Chamber Choir will be involved as initially planned has yet to be announced.
