LA Master Chorale and High School #9 Hold Outreach Program, 2/17

An oratorio is an extended musical composition with a text dramatic in character for solo voices, chorus and orchestra, and performed without action, costume or scenery.  In plain words, they are big, sophisticated, complex musical works - not for the faint of heart to compose or perform. 

The introduction of an oratorio into the choral repertoire is major news.  But even bigger news is that the genre will be expanding thanks to a local group of high school students at Downtown LA's Central Los Angeles High School #9 who have composed the music and lyrics for a 45-minute oratorio, entitled "The Hummingbird Warrior Oratorio," based on an exploration of the Aztec culture and the creation legend of Huitzilopotchli, the Hummingbird Warrior.  Not only have these gifted students composed the work, but their prodigious vocal talents will also be on display when they present the world premiere of the oratorio in conjunction with the acclaimed LA Master Chorale Chamber Singers on Thursday, February 17, 7 pm, in the high school's Main Theatre.   The performance is free to the public.

This massive undertaking is an extension of the Los Angeles Master Chorale's award-winning music education program, Voices Within, which was originally designed to teach fifth graders how to compose and perform their own original songs and has engaged over 25,000 children and created over 300 original songs since its launch in 2001.

Encouraged by a successful 2009 collaboration involving elementary, middle and high school students, and with the support of the California Arts Council's Artists-in-School Program, the Los Angeles Master Chorale adapted the Voices Within curriculum to address the advanced maturity of high school students, specifically choral students at the new Central Los Angeles High School #9 (CLAHS#9), a visual and performing arts high school in downtown LA.

Beginning in September 2010 and continuing for 20 weeks, the LAMC artistic team of Marnie Mosiman (performer/artistic director), David O (composer) and Doug Cooney (lyricist) worked intensively with 97 students from the 9th through the 12th grades to guide them in creating an oratorio.  The result is The Hummingbird Oratorio.

The concert is free, and seating is first come, first served.  Los Angeles County High School #9 is located at 450 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.  Campus parking is free (enter on Cesar Chavez Avenue).