Lowell Chamber Orchestra Performs in MCC’s “World of Music”

As part of Middlesex Community College’s Fall 2021 “A World of Music” concert series, the college will host a live, in-person performance of “As One,” a ground-breaking opera portraying the challenges, joys and fears of the trans experience.

Middlesex is dedicated to providing all students with access to an equitable education and opportunities that enrich their time at the college. Offering performances that emphasize acceptance, inclusivity and representation is important to a student’s overall college experience and future success, according to Orlando Cela, MCC Assistant Professor of Music.

“The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is proud to collaborate once more with MCC’s ‘A World of Music’ concert series to put on this performance,” Cela said. “It is so important to provide platforms for those whose voices need to be heard and celebrated, especially by performers who represent that particular population. The significance of the concert is made even more special by being performed on November 20, International Transgender Day of Remembrance.”

The concert will feature mezzo-soprano Tona Brown and baritone Rahzé Cheatham in the lead roles, supported by the Lowell Chamber Orchestra, with Cela conducting. “As One” was written by Laura Kaminsky (music and concept), Mark Campbell (libretto), and Kimberly Reed (libretto and film).

In October 2021, The Lowell Chamber Orchestra was awarded third place in the country for The American Prize Competition for the Performing Arts.

The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 20 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in the Theatre in Lowell. While all of the performers and speakers have agreed to be fully vaccinated, the college is requiring audience members to wear masks to performances throughout the duration of the Fall 2021 concert series.

As part of the MCC Music Department Outreach Program, on October 24, Cela and members of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra presented a program for the “Lowell Learns Community Arts and Music Initiative” at MCC’s Academic Arts Center for children in the community. During the event, children were introduced to the string instruments in the orchestra and worked on a story together set to music. They were also introduced to music by Dmitri Shostakovich and the African-French composer Joseph Bologne, le Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

The final performance of MCC’s “A World of Music” Fall 2021 concert series will be an MCC Student Recital at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 13 in Bedford. Previous concerts included a performance based on the works of author Jack Kerouac in Lowell from members of MCC’s faculty and the Lowell Chamber Orchestra, and a Halloween concert by MCC faculty members.

All “World of Music” concerts are free and open to the public. For more information about MCC’s Fall 2021 concert series, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldofmusic/ or contact Rodríguez-Peralta at [email protected] or 781-280-3923.

MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St. in Lowell. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/transportation/ for more information.

There is still time to register for MCC’s Fall 2021 Mini-mester II. For more information and to register for classes, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!