This February, the NMU Choirs will perform a powerful oratorio by composer Craig Hella Johnson titled Considering Matthew Shepard. The performance is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21st in the Reynolds Recital Hall on NMU's campus at 7:30 p.m. eastern, and parental discretion is advised.
Considering Matthew Shepard is a challenging work to perform, both musically and due to the subject matter. It tells Matthew's story from 1998 when he was attacked and tied to a fence in Wyoming, eventually dying of his injuries. It sets text from sources like news and police reports, journals, and poetry to a variety of musical genres. The oratorio will feature NMU Choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists.
We spoke with Dr. Erin Colwitz, Director of Choirs at NMU and Associate Professor of Music:
Considering Matthew Shepard will be performed Tuesday, February 21st without an intermission, and with applause held until the end.
Visit the NMU Music Department website for more information.
![Matthew Shepard](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/716cfd9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/840x564+0+0/resize/880x591!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc9%2F8c%2F60242da64360b70d4489b5f1da4b%2Fmatthewshepardnmu.png)
More information about the Matthew Shepard Foundation can be found at matthewshepard.org.