Dear Ann,

It's been an exhilarating time of music and connection as our season got underway with Considering Matthew Shepard, Big Sing: Let Freedom Sing, and Conspirare Symphonic Choir rehearsals.

This month, we invite you to join Craig in his studio and share your favorite tribute music, meet Symphonic Choir alto Calla Feucht, learn about the significant impact of Considering Matthew Shepard, join us at an upcoming event and more!

Our new staging of Considering Matthew Shepard reached listeners from across generations. Students from several schools attended. In Philadelphia, choir director Talia Sheehan brought 29 students and staff from the Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Arts. A senior vocal major captured the impact of the music:

"I am so grateful and blessed to have seen your performance. The way

that the emotions and story was portrayed was probably the most

beautiful thing I've ever seen. Every person involved was spectacular

and I have not been able to stop thinking about the performance since.

Please know that every single person involved touched the hearts of all

of us and we got almost no work done during choir the next few days

because we could not stop talking about the performance. Again, thank

you for a truly breathtaking night."

We are deeply grateful to every artist, creative collaborator, crew, artist host, presenter, donor, staff, board, volunteer, sponsor, and community member who made the return of CMS possible. We extend our deep gratitude to Judy & Dennis Shepard and the Matthew Shepard Foundation for their ongoing support. Your involvement means the world to us and continues to impact so many lives.

Our message of hope and unity resonated across Philadelphia:

• WHYY interview with Judy and Dennis Shepard and their ongoing work to erase hate.
• Philadelphia Inquirer: "500 local choral singers unite to perform 'Considering Matthew Shepard' at the Mann Center"
• Co-Stage Director Elliott Forrest and the Shepards talk about their work in this interview on CBS Philadelphia.
• NBC 10 provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our dress rehearsal

Q: What drew you to Conspirare?  

A: Music has been part of my life since childhood. I grew up in a musical family where my sisters and I all played piano and sang in choir. When I moved to Austin, my previous choir director told me, "You have to check out this group called Conspirare." Their reputation was so strong that I checked their website every six months, waiting for audition opportunities. When they finally held auditions about seven years ago, I immediately signed up, auditioned, and was graciously accepted.

Q: What makes the Conspirare experience special?  

A: The quality and musicality of this group is truly irreplaceable. Being in a room with so many talented musicians who are not only passionate but skilled and dedicated – it's really magic. Solo performances are wonderful, but choir music is something special. When you get that many gifted musicians in a space together, you can craft an experience that simply can't be replicated anywhere else.

Q: Tell us about preparing for Restless Hearts.  

A: We're working on some incredibly exciting pieces, including Duruflé's Requiem. I fell in love with this piece when we performed the Sanctus in our last concert, so I'm thrilled to be doing the entire work now. We're also performing pieces that have only been performed by a handful of groups ever, which feels like such a privilege. Because we're all skilled musicians, we can take on these challenging pieces – it's like food for your brain.

Q: What keeps you coming back week after week?  



A: Every Tuesday night, even when I'm tired after work, I know something special awaits at rehearsal. Not only are these incredible musicians, they're wonderful humans. I always leave feeling energized, usually humming a tune on my way out. There's this sense of community that I don't have anywhere else in my life – it's like a huge family. It's that combination of musical excellence and genuine connection that makes Conspirare unique.

Hear Calla and all of the Symphonic Choir at Restless Hearts on Saturday, November 16.

Learn more about auditioning for Symphonic Choir.



As we continue to grow and expand our impact, we're seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Development to join our team.

This key leadership role will help further our mission of creating dynamic choral art by providing strategic vision for our fundraising efforts and cultivating relationships within our engaged community of supporters.

If you or someone you know is ready to play a crucial role in expanding Conspirare's reach through music, we invite you to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Our commitment to education reached new heights through several initiatives offered as part of Considering Matthew Shepard.

Shaping the Next Generation of Creatives

Conspirare's creative collaborators shared their knowledge and expertise with Austin-area university students.

• Austin Community College Audio Technology students learned the ins and outs of microphone placement, amplification and more at CMS, guided by Monitor Engineer and Austin Community College faculty member Juno Black, pictured above in the audio booth at rehearsal.
• Conspirare artists Laura Mercado-Wright and Vanguel Tangarov met with The University of Texas (UT) Butler School of Music students at Music Networking Day to share insights in one-on-one conversations. Topics included practicing and career options.
• UT Department of Theatre and Dance Performance as Public Practice graduate students engaged in meaningful discussion about the creative process and impact of CMS with co-stage directors Elliott Forrest and Rod Caspers.

Building community through song: A total of 1,000+ singers in Austin and Philadelphia from diverse backgrounds came together in the "All of Us" choirs, creating an immersive experience. We are so grateful to all of our singers, their directors and All of Us choir coordinators Joey Martin, Rollo Dillworth, and Jay Fluellen. Participating choirs included:

In Austin:

• Austin Community College's Jazz Choir, Chamber Singers & College Choir
• Austin Gay Men’s Chorus
• Conspirare Symphonic Choir and Artist Citizen Choral Collective
• Harker Heights High School Master Singers
• The Liberal Arts and Science Academy Concert Choir
• Texas State University Chorale & University Singers
• The University of Texas at Austin Concert Chorale & University Chorus
• Vandegrift High School Chamber Choir
• Westlake High School Varsity Mixed Chorale
• Westwood High School Chamber and Innova

In Philadelphia (pictured below):

• ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir
• Council Rock North High School
• Philadelphia Community Mass Choir
• Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus
• Philadelphia Voices of Pride
• Singing City
• Temple University Singing Owls
• The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts

Student percussionists from The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and The University of Texas at Austin percussion studio performed with Conspirare for "Fire of the Ancient Heart."

We're thrilled to announce that the City of Austin has awarded Conspirare a competitive Elevate Grant of $40,000 to support our Conspirare Christmas concerts in Austin.



This grant is part of over $21 million invested in Austin's creative community, reinforcing the city's commitment to the arts and recognizing Conspirare's significant cultural contribution.

Restless Hearts

With Conspirare Symphonic Choir

Saturday, November 16 at 8 pm

University Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX

Conspirare and Cactus Café Present:

Conspirare Christmas with Featured Artist Lianna Wimberly Williams

Saturday, December 7 at 8 pm

Sunday, December 8 at 4 pm

Hogg Memorial Auditorium, Austin, TX

On Tour:

December 9, 7:00 PM

St. Luke's UMC, Houston, TX

December 11, 7:00 PM

Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN

December 12, 7:00 PM

St. Michael-Albertville PAC, St. Michael, MN

Conspirare thanks Conspirare Christmas Concert Sponsor Fran & Larry Collmann. Conspirare Christmas is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

Blanton All Day: Jingle Jam

Saturday, December 14 at 3pm and 5 pm

Members of the Conspirare Artist Citizen Choral Collective sing winter cheer. Click here for Tickets & Info.

Big Sing: Holiday

December 21 at 3 pm St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Austin, TX



Spring 2025

SAVE THE DATE: Re:Cast

February 27 and 28

Featuring a Requiem in the Light, commissioned from composer Mark Buller and librettist Leah Lax.

Additional Spring dates and tickets on sale information coming soon.

This week we invite you to listen again to our latest album, Earth Vigil, as we anticipate the Recording Academy's announcement of GRAMMY® nominees. Then, stay tuned for an announcement about commissions that will be part of the Joel Brauer Fund for New Music.

As we move through this season of reflection, gratitude, and connection, I'm deeply moved by the ways our community continues to grow and connect through music.

Your presence at our concerts, your participation in our Big Sings, your investment of time and talent, and your steadfast support make possible all that we do. I hope you will join us at our upcoming concerts and if you know someone in Austin, Houston, or the Mineapolis-St. Paula area, please invite them to join us!

As always, I hope you will drop me a note if you have feedback or questions.

With gratitude on behalf of All of Us at Conspirare,

Ann

Ann McNair

Managing Director

P.S. Let your voice be heard!