Pauli Murray Commission Reading

By  GALA Expert 

 October 3, 2024 

  

Pauli Murray commission details for review by commission consortium choirs.

The text,

 

On October 21 and 22 a small choir of 16 singers and two narrator/soloists performed a reading of GALA’s new commission consortium “Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray“. The video of the reading is available for choirs who are interested in joining the commission consortium. The official commission webpage has full voicing details, timeline, payment. and sign-up info.

Artists: Steve Milloy-Composer, Kim Hines-Librettist, Jane Ramseyer Miller-Dramaturg/Conductor
Lucia Roderique-Soprano soloist/narrator, Aimee K Bryant-Alto soloist/narrator

A few notes as you view:

  • This is truly a rough reading with minimal rehearsals and only 1 camera.
  • After receiving notes from our audiences and singers we made edits to the narration and songs. In particular, #7 Soulmate and #9 Grief and Rebirth have been completely reworked. These edits are not reflected in the video.
  • Steve is currently tweaking and re-writing the underscoring between songs
  • Pauli and Pronouns: During her younger life, Pauli used many different names and nicknames including “Pete” and “The Dude.”  Had Pauli been born today, she would have likely identified as trans-masculine, transgender, or nonbinary. But Pauli was born in 1910 and though she sought doctors’ advice about her gender, Pauli used female pronouns publicly. In conversation with Pauli’s great-niece we made the choice to also use she/her pronouns in sharing Pauli’s legacy and story for this commission.

Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray:  Song List and Story Arc

1. Pauli Murray: you think you know? – perusal score
Chorus
Intro to Pauli Murray character and story

2.  My Boy-Girl (1910 Pauli born) – perusal score
Chorus, Narrator 2 as Aunt Pauline
Sung by Aunt Pauline reflecting on Pauli’s early years and her role as mother

3. Ridin’ the Rails (1931)
Chorus, Narrator 1 and soloist (as Pauli & Peg)
Pauli and Peg Holmes jumping trains on trip west.

4. Off the Rails (1937) – perusal score
Chorus, Narrator 1 solo
Gender dysphoria, depression/mental illness- her first lover marrying a man.

5. Hold On (1940) – perusal score
Chorus
Pauli and Adelene McBean arrested and jailed for refusing to move to the back of a bus.

6. Brown Vs Board of Education (1944 & 1954) – perusal score
Chorus, Narr 1 as Pauli, Narr 2 as Spotswood and narrator
Pauli’s role in the overturn of Brown vs Bd of Education

– in the transition from the 40’s to the 50’s, Narrator 2 becomes the “older Pauli”

7. Soulmates (1957 – year that Pauli and Irene Barlow met)
Love song duet with Pauli and Renee
Based on Paradox poem by Angelina Weld Grimké

8. Jane Crow (mid-1960s)
Chorus, both narrators and solos
Fight for women’s rights, connection to intersectionality.
Song based on “Oh Wallace” Civil Rights song – recording

9. Grief and Rebirth (1973)
Chorus, Narrator 2 as Pauli on solo
Death of Renee, calling to priesthood
Song based on Schuman Piano Concerto (Pauli’s favorite – played at Renee’s death)

10. Be a Spark: what cha gonna do? (1977 ordained)
Chorus, solos & narration
Transition to ministry. Call to Action.

To consider this work for performance by your chorus sign up on the commission webpage.