The Halalisa Singers present:
“I Dream A World: Songs of Hope and Justice”
Mary Cunningham, Artistic Director
Trevor Berens, piano
Bertram Lehmann, percussion

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Halalisa Singers present a program of folk and world music celebrating the legacy of the great civil rights leader.
The 34-member Lexington-based ensemble will sing songs from around the world reflecting themes from MLK’s life and work.
“This is music that emerged from unjust circumstances when people found their voices and raised them in song to inspire hope and promote change,” says Artistic Director Mary Cunningham.

The program features songs U2’s “MLK” and Jason Shelton’s bluesy “King for a Day,” written specifically to honor Dr. King anti-apartheid songs in the South African languages Xhosa and Zulu;
Andre Thomas’ setting of Langston Hughes’ “I Dream a World,” dedicated to victims of the September 11 attacks; and “I Am Willing,” sung at a 2006 White House rally to protest the invasion of Iraq.

The concerts will also honor the late folk legend and activist Pete Seeger with “Guantanamera,” a Jose Marti poem reflecting the perspective of a Cuban revolutionary from the late 1800’s that Seeger adapted for the peace movement, and the poignant “To My Old Brown Earth.”

Also on the program are songs from “Ragtime,” Sweet Honey in the Rock’s tribute to the women of South Africa “We Are the Ones,”
and “Hope for Resolution,” a piece that juxtaposes a European chant melody with an anti-apartheid song from South Africa.
A traditional Yiddish folk song, spirituals, a Maori-inspired song from New Zealand, and the rousing jazz-infused gospel piece “Freedom Train” round out the performance.

The Halalisa Singers are dedicated to the performance of music across all cultures and nationalities.
Halalisa is a Zulu word for “celebration,” and in that spirit, the Halalisa repertoire includes African, Latin, American Spiritual, Gospel, Jewish, Folk, and Jazz music.
A diverse group of thirty men and women, the Halalisa Singers are inspired by the belief that music is a universal language with the power to uplift and unite us all.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mary Cunningham, this Lexington-based vocal ensemble is now in its twentieth year offering performances in the Boston area.

The Halalisa Singers present:
“I Dream A World: Songs of Hope and Justice”
Mary Cunningham, Artistic Director
Trevor Berens, piano
Bertram Lehmann, percussion

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Halalisa Singers present a program of folk and world music celebrating the legacy of the great civil rights leader.
The 34-member Lexington-based ensemble will sing songs from around the world reflecting themes from MLK’s life and work.
“This is music that emerged from unjust circumstances when people found their voices and raised them in song to inspire hope and promote change,” says Artistic Director Mary Cunningham.

The program features songs U2’s “MLK” and Jason Shelton’s bluesy “King for a Day,” written specifically to honor Dr. King anti-apartheid songs in the South African languages Xhosa and Zulu;
Andre Thomas’ setting of Langston Hughes’ “I Dream a World,” dedicated to victims of the September 11 attacks; and “I Am Willing,” sung at a 2006 White House rally to protest the invasion of Iraq.

The concerts will also honor the late folk legend and activist Pete Seeger with “Guantanamera,” a Jose Marti poem reflecting the perspective of a Cuban revolutionary from the late 1800’s that Seeger adapted for the peace movement, and the poignant “To My Old Brown Earth.”

Also on the program are songs from “Ragtime,” Sweet Honey in the Rock’s tribute to the women of South Africa “We Are the Ones,”
and “Hope for Resolution,” a piece that juxtaposes a European chant melody with an anti-apartheid song from South Africa.
A traditional Yiddish folk song, spirituals, a Maori-inspired song from New Zealand, and the rousing jazz-infused gospel piece “Freedom Train” round out the performance.

The Halalisa Singers are dedicated to the performance of music across all cultures and nationalities.
Halalisa is a Zulu word for “celebration,” and in that spirit, the Halalisa repertoire includes African, Latin, American Spiritual, Gospel, Jewish, Folk, and Jazz music.
A diverse group of thirty men and women, the Halalisa Singers are inspired by the belief that music is a universal language with the power to uplift and unite us all.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mary Cunningham, this Lexington-based vocal ensemble is now in its twentieth year offering performances in the Boston area.