Great Waters Music Festival presents a Homecoming in “Considering Matthew Shepard” with members of the New Hampshire Master Chorale.
WOLFEBORO, NH, June 20, 2019 – Great Waters Music Festival (GWMF) is excited to host the NH Master Chorale and their performance of ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ on Saturday, June 29th at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro. This concert is a homecoming of sorts for a couple with local roots, Jenny and Lisa Cooper, NH Master Chorale Soloists, and is a loving and moving way to wrap up Pride Month.
This performance of ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ features a chamber orchestra as well as the 30-voice master chorale. The lyrics include passages from Matt Shepard’s college journal, testimony spoken by his mother, and poetry related to the crime. The message of hope is present throughout Craig Hella Johnson’s moving concert that tells the story of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay, 21-year-old Wyoming student who was beaten, tortured, and left to die on October 6, 1998. His memory lives on in the beautiful piece “Considering Matthew Shepard” which honors his life and calls for love, support, and pride.
The piece features many soloists, specifically, the Coopers. Jenny grew up in Wolfeboro – her parents were married in the Church, her father runs the Wolfeboro Camp School and her mother works at Brewster Academy and Chair of the congregation’s Open and Affirming Committee. The message of this piece, “Only in the love of us all” change is possible, is truly embodied by the Cooper family.
“As both a singer in NHMC and the Executive Director at Great Waters, I’m proud to be able to bring the message of Considering Matthew Shepard to Wolfeboro,” noted Cheryll Andrews. “This powerful and moving experience has allowed me as an individual to join with others to make a positive impact in our community with a message of love and hope.”
Tickets are only $35.00 and can easily be purchased online at www.greatwaters.org.
Prior to the performance, the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro is hosting a Ham Dinner. Tickets to the dinner are sold separately and are also available on the Great Waters’ website.
GWMF plans to continue the season all summer long with a line up of seven more incredible acts ranging from doo-wop, to blues and folk.
This special performance is made possible by Ashton & Company.
About Great Waters Music Festival:
Founded in 1995, Great Waters Music Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to culturally enriching New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Dr. Gerald Mack, Director of the Worcester Chorus and a former professor at the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, founded the non-profit summer festival to encompass a diversified program designed to appeal to a variety of musical tastes. More importantly, Great Waters Music Festival was created to promote live musical performances including choral, symphonic, folk, pop, jazz, Broadway, dance, and renowned vocal and instrumental artists, both amateur and professional alike, for the benefit of the Lakes Region.
For interviews or inquires with the Cooper family, please contact Cheryll Andrews at 603-569-7710, or email cheryll.andrews@wordpress-400230-1587704.cloudwaysapps.com. For more information on Great Waters Music Festival, please visit https://greatwaters.org/.
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