05/27/2026
MSC is bringing Considering Matthew Shepard on the road this June, inviting audiences to reflect on the ongoing work for dignity and safety for 2SLGBTQI+ people around the world. The program commemorates the life of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man whose 1998 murder sparked meaningful conversation around hate crimes and homophobia in North America.
Considering Matthew Shepard is a genre-defying oratorio by composer Craig Hella Johnson. The work offers a deeply human perspective on the tragedy of Matthew Shepard’s murder. It explores many different emotions, including shock, sorrow, rage, tenderness, and ultimately, hope. Through a wide range of musical styles and texts, including poetry, journalistic accounts, sacred writings, and reflections from Shepard’s parents, the work asks listeners to consider not only what was lost, but what kind of world we are responsible for building in its wake.
The concert will be presented by Modern Sound Collective’s youth and young adult choirs, Datsuzoku and Concreamus, a combined choir of over 100 voices. They will be joined by a professional instrumental ensemble consisting of guitar, percussion, piano, clarinet, and strings, and professional vocal soloists.
This event directly engages 2SLGBTQI+ communities by centering q***r experience, grief, resilience, and collective responsibility. Matthew Shepard’s story continues to resonate with q***r and trans people who live with the realities of violence, marginalization, and fear, while also affirming the importance of remembrance, solidarity, and chosen family. The performance creates space for communal reflection by honoring those whose lives have been impacted by hate.
Considering Matthew Shepard functions both as a memorial and a call to action. It invites audiences to listen deeply, confront uncomfortable truths, and participate in collective healing through art. By bringing this work to the stage, Modern Sound Collective aims to foster empathy, dialogue, and meaningful connection, using choral music as a medium for social reflection and shared understanding.
Check out our website for concert times, venues, and more information!
