Aurora Chorus, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All Collaborates with Team Congo PDX

We are excited to announce that Team Congo PDX is collaborating with Aurora Chorus on International Women's Day.

Aurora Chorus invites Team Congo to an International Women’s Day concert, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All, on Saturday, March 8. A chorus member will be on hand at the run with tickets and information. Aurora is donating the proceeds of the first 25 tickets sold at the run to Team Congo, and will have materials on Women for Women International available at the concert. Tickets are $10; see below for more details. 

 In this concert, Aurora will present voices from the past – women such as Abigail Adams, Virginia Woolf, and the South African women who first challenged apartheid. We will also look to the future with the world premiere of “I Am Malala,” featuring the words of Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani girl who has taken a lead role in fighting for the right of every girl to receive an education, set to music by our director, nationally renowned choral composer Joan Szymko. Guest artist Anne Weiss will close out the concert with a set featuring her unique musical style inspired by folk, blues, and gospel, among other influences. 

Szymko spoke of her inspiration for writing "I Am Malala":  

"The name of the piece, “I Am Malala,” is the name of her memoir. And when she was shot, there were a lot of young people around the world standing up saying, “I am Malala. We’re all Malala,” with the idea that violence cannot stop the human spirit and the will to better oneself. For the text, I watched a lot of Malala on YouTube, selecting quotes and crafting a lyric. “I am afraid of no one” comes from a longer quote. She said, “I don't mind if I have to sit on the floor at school. All I want is education. And I'm afraid of no one.” And really, if you’ve been shot in the head and you survive—if you face that and come out on the other side—what happens to fear?" 

For the full interview, visit the chorus website at:  www.aurorachorus.org


Details:
Aurora Chorus, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All
Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 1126 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon
Tickets, $12, are available online at www.aurorachorus.org or by phone at 800-838-3006
Tickets will also be available at the door
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1444063655823168/