The Choral Commons
The Choral Commons is a media platform that provides a space for choirs and singing communities to realize the liberatory potential of the ensemble as a site of radical imagining. We promote equitable artistic and organizational practices that harness the positive social impacts of participatory music making for the common good and confront racism, poverty, ableism, LGBTQ+ discrimination, displacement, and much more. We produce podcasts and community events, offer educational resources on justice-centered praxis, and incubate creative, artistic, and compassionate projects that empower choirs and singing communities to work for a just and peaceful world.
- Update frequency
- every 4 days
- Average duration
- 49 minutes
- Episodes
- 49
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2021
Engender Finale // Nicky Manlove, Bradford Dumont, Emilie Amrein, & André de Quadros
Envision 2021 Roundtable // Catherine Dehoney, Maria Guinand, Mackie Spradley, Elizabeth Swanson, & Andre Thomas
In January, The Choral Commons hosted a round table discussion on justice-centered choral advocacy, accountability, and strategic planning for the new year with panelists: Catherine Dehoney, Preside…
Forced Migration Roundtable // Emilie Amrein, Dzaya Castillo, Con Fullam, Erin Guinup, Maurice Lekea, Thierry Ruboneka, & Elise Witt
André de Quadros facilitates a roundtable with guests from the Here, There, and Everywhere series: Emilie Amrein, Dzaya Castillo, Con Fullam, Erin Guinup, Maurice Lekea, Thierry Ruboneka, & Elise Wit…
Here, There, and Everywhere, part 4 // Erin Guinup, Maurice Lekea, & Thierry Ruboneka
The Tacoma Refugee Choir began as a pilot project in August 2016 in partnership with Tacoma Community House with a group of 22 refugees and community members. The program was well received and quick…
Here, There, and Everywhere, part 3 // Emilie Amrein, Dzaya Castillo, & John Tekou
Common Ground Voices / La Frontera brings together a diverse group of artists in community music and peace-building projects situated at the border of Mexico and the United States. Through its signat…
We Sing the Great Turning // Kyle Lemle
Today on The Choral Commons, we take a deep dive into place-based practice, eco-justice, and our relationship with the land in a conversation with Kyle Lemle.
Kyle Lemle works to catalyze the impact…
Here, There, and Everywhere, part 2 // Con Fullam & Fatimah Lamloom
Welcoming immigrant children from around the globe, The Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus helps restart young lives. War-torn villages, bloodshed, refugee camps, famine, and political turmoil were devast…
Here, There, and Everywhere, part 1 // Elise Witt, Khatera Barati, & Meh Sod Paw
Elise Witt is Artist-in-Residence at Global Village Project (GVP), a school for teenage refugee girls in Decatur, GA. GVP is a special purpose middle school for teenage refugee girls from Afghanistan…
Making, Keeping, Knowing // Rukhsana Nezam
Rukhsana Nezam is the founder and director of Justice & Joy, a consulting practice that focuses on the intersection of community development, socially-engaged art and urban planning. She works with g…
Engender Roundtable // Abdullah Hall, Erik Peregrine, Jace Kaholokula Saplan, Lindsey Deaton, Logan Bradford, Mari Esabel Valverde, & Michael Bussewitz-Quarm
Nicky Manlove and Bradford Dumont facilitate a roundtable with guests from the Engender series: Abdullah Hall, Erik Peregrine, Jace Kaholokula Saplan, Lindsey Deaton, Logan Bradford, Mari Esabel Valv…
The Only Honest Option // Mari Esabel Valverde
On this episode of Engender, Nicky and Brad interview composer Mari Esabel Valverde and speak about the honesty of gender diversity, the humanizing power of representation, and expansive notions of c…
Singing on the Street Roundtable // Marilyn Irizarry, Jonathan Palant, & Leeav Sofer
In the finale of our second Gather series, Emilie and André interview Jonathan Pallant (from the Dallas Street Choir), Marilyn Irizarry and Leeav Sofer (from LA's Urban Voices Project.)
Singing Freedom Futures // OnRaé LaTeal
OnRaé LaTeal is a musician, producer, activist, and educator based in Washington, DC. She has held a variety of roles at the Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the Smithsonian’s contemporary art…
Singing on the Street, Part 3 // Jonathan Palant & London Alexander
On Wednesday, Emilie and André spoke with Jonathan Palant and London Alexander about how the Dallas Street Choir is responding to poverty, housing insecurity, addiction recovery, trauma healing, and …
Trans Existence is Resistance // Abdullah Hall
On this episode, Nicky and Brad have a conversation with Abdullah Hall from the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles about the intersections of race and gender, as well as their experiences with singing and a…
Singing on the Street, Part 2 // Leeav Sofer & Marilyn Irizarry
Emilie and André speak with Leeav Sofer and Marilyn Irizarry about how the organization Urban Voices Project is responding to poverty, housing insecurity, addiction recovery, trauma healing, and home…
The Choir as Dreamspace // Aisha Shillingford
Aisha Shillingford is an artist, writer, and strategist originally from Trinidad & Tobago. She has been a spiritual and cultural organizer and network weaver for social movements. Aisha has earned a …
In Pursuit of Healing // Michael Bussewitz-Quarm
This week's episode of Engender features Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, who speaks with Nicky and Brad about her experiences as a composer and advocate for the transgender community. Michael is passionate …
Singing on the Street, Part 1 // Javier Rodríguez, Sophie Wingland, & Ron Yokely
On this episode of the Gather series, Emilie and André speak with Javier Rodríguez, Sophie Wingland, and Ron Yokely about how they are using music to respond to poverty, housing insecurity, addiction…
Trans*forming Choral Communities // Logan Bradford
This week's episode of Engender features singer Logan Bradford who speaks with Nicky and Brad about their experiences navigating choral spaces as a trans person. Logan speaks honestly and incisively …