Resonance Ensemble | Commission Stories
read, listen, and experience stories from our commissioned artists—the voices of today
Each work below is more than just a new piece. It’s a relationship with an artist. It’s a journey for our ensemble. It’s a deep and lasting impact on our community. Every commission has a history all its own, and we invite you to explore them in this gallery—15 years in the making.
If you would like to support the music of tomorrow, learn more about how you can be part of the story at the link below:
Only in Falling (2014)
Renée Favand-See
Text by Wendell Berry
Poet-in-Residence (2017-Present)
Commissioned texts by Poet-in-Residence, Dr. S. Renee Mitchell
The Talk: Instructions for Black Children When They Interact with the Police (2019)
Damien Geter
Text by Damien Geter
LISTEN (2019)
Melissa Dunphy
Text adapted from testimony by Anita Hill and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford
Safe Harbor (2020)
Joe Kye
Text by Joe Kye
We Hold Your Names Sacred (2021)
Mari Esabel Valverde
Text by Dane Figueroa Edidi
After Time Has Gnawed Away the Shield of Dreams (2021)
Damien Geter
Text by James DePreist
Normal Never Was (2021)
Jasmine Barnes
Text by Sonya Renee Taylor
Abya Yala (2022)
Freddy Vilches
Text by Elicura Chihuailaf Nahuelpán, Estela Gamero López, Julieta Zurita Cavero, Rosa Chávez, Gustavo Zapoteco Sideño
An African American Requiem (2020-2022)
Damien Geter
Text by Jamilia Land, Eric Garner, Antwon Rose, Ida B. Wells, Dr. S. Renee Mitchell, A. Mimi Sei (foreword)
We Are Murmurs (2023)
Cecille Elliott
Text by Cecille Elliott
Seek What You Want to Find (2023)
Kimberly R. Osberg
Text by Dr. S. Renee Mitchell
RE-FLEC (2023)
Judy A. Rose
Text by Vin Shambry
Shout Out! (2023)
Kenji Bunch
Text by A. Mimi Sei
From the Book of Sankofa, Pt 1: Words She Would Have Us Know (2024)
Darrell Grant
Text by A. Mimi Sei
Seven Prayers: Hope for Everyone (2024)
Dave Ragland
Text by Ethan Freeman, Nikymba Warren (Kymmie), Rev. Francisco Garcia, Rev. Becca Stevens, Joe Cantrell, Grace Ragland, Dave Ragland
COMING SOON (2025)
Ringdown
COMING SOON (2025)
Cecille Elliott
Text by Cecille Elliott
COMING SOON (2025)
Kenji Bunch
Text by Chisao Hata