CCC, in collaboration with Tone Cluster - Quite a Queer Choir are proud to present Craig Hella Johnson’s “Considering Matthew Shepard”.

“Considering Matthew Shepard is by far the most intricate, beautiful and unyielding artistic response to this notorious anti-gay hate crime.” – Jason Marsden, Executive Director, Matthew Shepard Foundation

About Considering Matthew Shepard

This deeply moving three-part fusion oratorio explores the life, legacy and tragic death of Matthew Shepard. It evokes a range of emotions from sorrow to resilience, serving as a call for compassion, understanding, and acceptance. With an 8-piece ensemble, the work incorporates a variety of musical styles and poetic texts which are seamlessly woven into a unified whole, including words by Hildegard of Bingen, Lesléa Newman, Michael Dennis Browne, and Rumi. Passages from Matt’s personal journal, interviews and writings from his parents Judy and Dennis Shepard, newspaper reports, and additional texts by Johnson and Browne are also included.

Audiences describe this work as “brilliant,” “powerful,” “innovative,” “dazzling,” and “gripping”. From the Washington Post: “’Considering Matthew Shepard’ demonstrates music’s capacity to encompass, transform and transcend tragedy. Powerfully cathartic, it leads us from horror and grief to a higher understanding of the human condition, enabling us to endure.”

***Please note that Considering Matthew Shepard contains direct quotations of the bigoted words of Westboro Baptist Church members, who picketed Shepard’s funeral. Audience members are warned of strong language and intense themes. A designated safe space will be provided should anyone wish to step out and take a private moment to reflect during the performance.***

This concert is made possible by our sponsors: Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Ottawa Community Foundation.

About Tone Cluster - quite a queer choir

When Tone Cluster began in 1994 as a gay madrigal group with a temporary name, no one was thinking about what the future might hold for the choir. Now 30 years later, Tone Cluster is a vibrant musical ensemble that contributes both musically to the Ottawa arts scene and socially as part of Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Tone Cluster’s concerts continue to attract a wide audience that enjoys the group’s eclectic repertoire and thematic programming. The choir takes pride in showcasing talented performers from Ottawa-Gatineau at its concerts and commissions new works from queer composers in Canada and beyond.

To view accessibility, parking and fees, service animals, safety and security at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre, please click here. CCC and CDCC will provide a designated safe space for audience members, should they need a private moment to reflect during the performance.

2SLGBTQIA+ Youth Resources

• Matthew Shepard Foundation matthewshepard.org

• The Trevor Project (crisis intervention for LGBTQ youth) thetrevorproject.org

• Matthew’s Place (Matthew Shepard Foundation site for LGBTQ youth) matthewsplace.com

• PFLAG (2SLGBTQ+ support group) www.pflagcanada.ca

• KindSpace (2SLGBTQIA+ Community Centre in Ottawa) kindspace.ca