Embedded Files
Composer Notes
As the "I have forgotten my umbrella text unfolds, the unaccompanied voices reflect a sense of vulnerability and a feeling of being unprotected. Our shared humanity comes into focus as we realize that a pandemic does not discriminate."
Musical Content: "Stand the Storm" Spiritual
The opening "meditation" section of the piece features the first appearance of the African American Spiritual Stand the Storm. According to Dr. Dilworth, "Both the poem and the spirituals speak of remembrance, resistance, and resilience in the pursuit of social justice and social change. It seemed quite fitting to use melodic content from the refrain of Stand the Storm as a recurring and unifying theme throughout the work."
Suggested Questions for Discussion
How might the notion of vulnerability connect us to each other?
How does the pandemic shine a light on shared vulnerability and suffering?
Do we need disaster to "wake us up" to human vulnerability and suffering?
Vulnerability and suffering are shared human experiences. Can you think of examples where some populations are more vulnerable or experience more suffering than other segments of the population?
Though the Covid-19 virus doesn't discriminate, how might some populations be more vulnerable than others to the pandemic and its wide ranging effects?
The use of melodic content from the African American Spiritual Stand the Storm speaks to the power of music to remember, resist, and endure. Can you think of music (or any art form) that has helped you to endure, resist, or remember as you faced suffering? Can you explore other examples of music being used as a vehicle for survival?
Suggested Reading, Listening, Watching
Opinion: The coronavirus doesn't discriminate along racial lines. But America does.
Shared Vulnerability to Covid-19 Reveals Shared Humanity, Secretary-General Tells Faith Leaders, Stressing Their Key Role in Fighting Intolerance, Disinformation
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