New Release: “Safe Harbor” Out Now!
“This is more than an album — it is lived experiences transformed into sound. ”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reflect. Reimagine. Resonance Ensemble’s Safe Harbor Arrives on Two CDs
12 new choral commissions bring stories of sanctuary, resilience, and hope to life.
PORTLAND, OR —January 30, 2026 — Acclaimed choral ensemble Resonance Ensemble presents Safe Harbor, a collection of 12 world-premiere commissions exploring sanctuary, grief, resilience, and hope. In a moment when the world seeks connection and reflection, these works offer a space to pause, engage, and be inspired.
Since its founding, Resonance Ensemble has commissioned nearly 20 works, often addressing social justice and contemporary issues. This second album continues the ensemble’s commitment to showcasing the artistic and emotional power of choral music from a broad spectrum of perspectives.
The composers and poets of Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor features compositions and poetry from nationally and locally recognized artists, including Jasmine Barnes, Kenji Bunch, Cecille Elliott, Damien Geter, Darrell Grant, Joe Kye, Judy A. Rose, Mari Esabel Valverde, Sonya Renee Taylor, Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, and James DePreist. Narration and poetry are provided by S. Renee Mitchell and A. Mimi Sei, and instrumental contributions include Pacific Northwest flutist Adam Eccleston, pianist Hannah Brewer, violinists Gisela Rodriguez Fernandez and Ryan Downs, violist Lisa Zweben, and cellists Valdine Mishkin and Nancy Ives.
“Each piece on Safe Harbor tells a story,” said Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon. “These commissions allow composers to share the experiences, ideas, and messages that matter to them, creating music that connects, challenges, and inspires listeners.”
The album is named after Joe Kye Safe Harbor, which reflects on his experiences as an immigrant and the ongoing humanitarian crises at our borders.
“Safe Harbor is my personal exploration of movement and migration, and a vision for a society that uplifts voices of those unheard and unsupported,” Kye said.
Conductors FitzGibbon, Geter, and Kobayashi
Conducted by FitzGibbon, associate conductor Shohei Kobayashi, and artistic advisor and composer Damien Geter, Safe Harbor captures the passionate interpretations of new music that audiences expect from Resonance Ensemble, making it a landmark release in the choral world.
Safe Harbor is available now on Aerocade Music. Review copies, high-resolution images, and interview opportunities with composers and performers are available upon request.
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