The Siena College Chorus and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Reno, presented a special collaborative concert with The Musicians of Ma’alwyck to celebrate the Suffragettes and the bicentennial of the birth of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The concert, “Declaration of Sentiments” was held at Druthers Brewery in Albany.
A year in the making, Reno and Musicians of Ma’alwyck visionary director, Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, began working on this collaborative performance in the spring of 2014. The concert featured music from American female composers, including Amy Beach and Marion Bauer. It also included the world premiere of a musical piece by Kathleen Ballantyne. This work was based on a satirical poem published in 1915 by Alice Duer Miller titled “Are Women People.”
“I can't even call it a concert-- the end result was an experience that brought people into the world of political and human struggle, asked a lot of questions, and hopefully found some answers as well,” said Reno. “I am extremely proud of our collaboration with Musicians of Ma'alwyck. Our commissioned work by Kathleen Ballantyne was both warmly and enthusiastically received, and the contribution made by our Siena choirs was a highlight of the performance. Truly, I could not be more pleased.”
This event was made possible through support from the Thomas J. Gorman Fund for Music at Siena College with support from Siena College’s McCormick Center for the Study of the American Revolution and the Dell and Audrey Thompson Distinguished Lecture in American Revolution Studies.
To see photos from the event, please click here.
Media Coverage of the Event:
Times Union: "Musical celebration of suffrage movement by Ma'alwyck musicians at Albany brewery" (Must have subscription to read)
WAMC: The Musicians Of Ma'alwyck - A Declaration Of Sentiments
Schenectady Today: Schenectady Today In and Around the Capital Region
Schenectady Daily Gazette: "Brewery concert highlights music of suffragette era" (Must have subscription to read)
