News 2022: Music with “a message of change”

Community choral group’s work goes beyond the recital hall

Ronald Sherwin from CVPA’s Music department sees music as a catalyst for social engagement. Since 2004, he has been planning the organization of an intermediate level chorus open to people of all ages and backgrounds, focused on the work of composers from underrepresented populations. This year, that dream has become a reality with the first rehearsals of a new choral group.

Singers in this community choral group (with a temporary working title of “Social Justice Choir”) range from second grade to retirees, and also include current students, faculty, and alumni from UMass Dartmouth, Bridgewater State University, and Rising Tide Charter Public School.  All participants are, in Sherwin’s description, “singers aspiring to high level of musicality but come with a range of vocal ability and experience from voice-performance major to second-grade chorister.” Sherwin notes that in focusing on music with a message of social change, participating singers naturally discuss these topics with each other during rehearsals.

Sherwin’s efforts were recently featured in the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement symposium on Engaged Scholarship. There, his work in creating “an intergenerational community of musicians who have a joint purpose, live meaningful lives, and share the beauty of music with a world in need of beauty” was celebrated.

For more information about the “Social Justice Choir,” or to get involved, contact Dr. Sherwin at rsherwin@umassd.edu.