Fargo Moorhead Choral Artists Present Healing Music This Weekend

Seventy-two members of the Fargo Moorhead Choral Artists (FMCA) will perform this weekend at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minnesota. The concerts, titled “I Call Your Name,” will take place on January 20 and 21, 2024, and serve as a musical meditation focused on collective healing.

The program features two significant works: Caroline Shaw’s “To the Hands” and Connor Koppin’s “I Call Your Name.” Both compositions invite audiences to reflect on humanity’s shared responsibility for both the destruction and healing of the world. According to Michael Culloton, FMCA Composer and Artistic Director, this performance marks the opening of the choral group’s season with thoughtful, contemporary music.

The performances will also include a collaboration with the Third Avenue Quartet, a local string ensemble, enhancing the community experience. “This is a musical event that audiences won’t want to miss,” said Culloton. Tickets for the concerts start at $7.18 and can be purchased through Eventbrite. The season will showcase additional works by esteemed composers such as Johannes Brahms, Jake Runestad, and Elaine Hagenberg. More information about the upcoming 2025-26 season can be found on the FMCA website.

“I Call Your Name” is a multi-movement composition by Koppin, an acclaimed contemporary composer from Iowa. The piece, which premiered in 2020, features poetry by Brian Newhouse, a retired announcer from Minnesota Public Radio. The poetry reflects on the seven last words of Christ, creating a profound narrative experience. Culloton described the work as “haltingly beautiful,” highlighting its ability to evoke deep emotions and reflection.

In discussing the significance of Koppin’s music, Culloton noted its popularity among FMCA audiences. “We co-commissioned and premiered the work in January 2020, and it has remained a highlight in our 46-year history,” he explained. The piece is intended to trace a journey from sorrow to gratitude, a sentiment that Culloton believes resonates strongly in today’s climate. “Very few people, particularly in leadership, are willing to embrace vulnerability and empathy,” he remarked.

Culloton is particularly excited about the collaboration with the Third Avenue Quartet, which includes talented local musicians such as Jane Linde Capistran, Jennifer Tackling, Elise Buffat Nelson, and Tim Nelson. Additionally, guest musicians Rich Gonzales on string bass and Noah Johnson on percussion will also perform.

Shaw’s “To the Hands,” a six-movement work that premiered in 2016, continues the theme of acknowledging human suffering while encouraging responsibility for change. The piece was commissioned by The Crossing, a Philadelphia chamber music choir, and is inspired by a 17th-century work by Dietrich Buxtehude. One movement, titled “Litany of the Displaced,” uses real statistics on global migration to emphasize the collective responsibility of compassion.

Culloton expressed admiration for Shaw’s work, highlighting the challenging elements that push singers to explore unique rhythmic and harmonic concepts. “The singers have committed themselves fully to this piece,” he noted. Shaw is recognized as one of today’s most celebrated contemporary composers, having won the Pulitzer Prize for her contributions to music.

The FMCA’s upcoming concerts promise to be a powerful reminder of the healing power of music and community. For more details, visit the FMCA website or Eventbrite for ticket information.

This article is part of a content partnership with The Arts Partnership, an organization dedicated to fostering the arts in Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo. For more information, visit theartspartnership.net.