The Southwestern University Chorale, conducted by Kenny Sheppard, presents the profoundly moving Holocaust Cantata.

Composer, Donald McCullough arranged several songs and incorporated readings to create the Holocaust Cantata. This piece is based on songs found in the archives of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum that were written by prisoners of Nazi concentration camps. The readings in the Holocaust Cantata were based on interview transcripts, historical data, and the story of Irena Augustynska Kafka.

In 1942, 18 year-old Irena Augustynska Kafka was forced to work in a concentration camp for three and a half years. She received a telegram from the Nazi regime stating, that if she did not appear, her family would be evacuated from their town and shot. Mr. Donald McCullough tells her story and others in this emotional and moving cantata.

This performance features pianist, Pam Rossman and cellist, Hai Zheng-Olefsky. The concert readers will be Dr. Edward Burger, President and Professor of Mathematics; Dr. James Kilfoyle, Associate Professor of English; Dr. Shannon Marriotti, Associate Professor of Political Science; David Olson, Director of Communication Studies Internships; Dr. Robert Bednar, Associate Professor of Communication Studies; Dr. Michael Saenger, Associate Professor of English; Dr. Eric Selbin, Professor of Political Science, University Scholar; and Dr. Rebecca Sheller, Associate Professor of Biology. Dr. Kathleen Juhl, Professor of Theatre, is serving as the coach for the readers.

The second half of the concert features Benjamin Britten’s setting of W. H. Auden’s Hymn to St. Cecilia. Britten was born on St. Cecilia’s day, November 22, 1913. This performance of Britten’s music is one of many this month to celebrate his centennial. 

 

This event is free and open to the public.