The AAR Curriculum Guide
Students from Portland Public Schools and other area schools are taking part in a week-long, in-school curriculum developed by Resonance Ensemble in partnership with Dr. S. Renee Mitchell. The students are reading, discussing, and learning about composer Damien Geter, the history of requiems in classical music, and the history of racial violence that inspired the work—in both Portland and throughout the United States. The curriculum concludes with students attending the live, world premiere of An African American Requiem at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Special thanks to S. Renee Mitchell, Judy A. Rose, Kathy FitzGibbon, Keyesa Green, Liz Bacon, and Kristen Brayson for their contributions to this Guide.
EXPLORE the Curriculum Guide
Watch the CURRICULUM Video Series
WATCH THE “MY REQUIEM STORY” VIDEO SERIES
An African American Requiem Video Series is created by Resonance Ensemble and produced by Oh! Creative, with support from donors including Ronni Lacroute, anonymous supporters “For the Baachans,” and Portland Public Schools.
PERUSE THE AAR PHOTO ALBUM
LISTEN
Join All Classical Portland and WQXR in New York for this important world premiere at 5:50 PM PT (8:50 PM ET) on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Listen at 89.9 FM in Portland, 105.9 FM in New York, or streaming worldwide at allclassical.org.
Explore a short list of podcasts, musical works, and more
LEARN
Find more articles and resources for learning how you can make a difference in your daily life and throughout your community.
SUPPORT
Donate to, read more about, and sign up for the mailing lists from these important organizations.
Advisory Council
Elizabeth Bacon Brownson - Oh! Creative, Resonance Ensemble
Kristen Brayson - Portland Public Schools
Alonzo Chadwick - BRAVO Youth Orchestras
Josh Cramer-Montes - All Classical Portland
Katherine FitzGibbon - Resonance Ensemble, AAR Choirmaster
Dorothy Fuller - Bethel A.M.E Church
Laura Lo Forti - Vanport Mosaic
Damien Geter - Resonance Ensemble, AAR Composer
Monica Hayes - Oregon Symphony
Onry (Emmanuel Henreid) - Resonance Ensemble Artist
Reverend Terry McCray Hill - Bethel A.M.E Church
Russell Kelban - Oregon Symphony
Suzanne Nance - All Classical Portland
Barbara O'Hare - Dialogues Unlimited
Derrick McDuffey - Kingdom Sound Gospel Choir
S. Renee Mitchell - I am MORE, AAR Narrator
Ombrea Moore - Self Enhancement Inc.
Chabre Vickers - Wells Fargo, Oregon Symphony Board
Steve Wenig - Oregon Symphony
PORTLAND ARTISTS AND LEADERS WORK TO EXPAND AN AFRICAN AMERICAN REQUIEM’S IMPACT
The Advisory Council was made up of artists and leaders from around Portland who invested in the successful messaging and educational outreach of An African American Requiem, which successfully premiered in May 2022, with subsequent performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and around the country.
Educational outreach included written curriculum, video components, and a field trip to the premiere performance in Portland, Oregon.
In addition to the educational outreach, All Classical Portland sponsored a national syndication of the world premiere—allowing for communities across the country to hear this important and timely work, and bring the beautiful artistry of Portland musicians to national attention.
We are so grateful for the advisory council’s significant and deeply impactful contributions that made both the performance and educational components possible.