The Unarmed Child (Bussewitz-Quarm) Commissioning Consortium Seeking Choirs for 2019-2020 State Premieres

The Unarmed Child

Openings: Up to 8 openings remain. (NY & OR filled)

This consortium will consist of up to 10 choirs, one per state and each commissioning a separate song in this Mass setting to be premiered during the 2019-2020 choral season.

Gun violence is one of the greatest threats we face as a nation, a threat fed by many different sources.

Moved to action by the mass shooting in Parkland, I set aside a different choral consortium I was organizing so that could focus on The Unarmed Child. This will be a consortium of choirs, one per state, each commissioning a separate song in the Mass. Though only commissioning one movement, each choir will receive the entire Mass with State premiere rights to perform their movement, several movements, or the entire mass setting of The Unarmed Child during the 2019-2020 season.

Here is the Mass as it stands today:

The Mass is for SATB Choir, small Symphonic Orchestra, Soprano Soloist, Hip Hopera artist, and possibly one movement for a Treble Choir (that being “Kyrie”).

The Unarmed Child Michael Bussewitz-Quarm (b. 1971)

I. Opening (text to be determined by commissioning choir and composer)

II. Kyrie

III. Tribute
(hip-hopera/gospel fusion – tribute to inner city youth) written with Adrian Dunn, composer and hip hopera artist
under review by the Chicago Children’s Choir

IV. Sanctus

V. To Avielle, on Her Fifth Sixth Birthday Chantal Sellers, lyrics
commissioned by Mount Sinai Choral Consortium, Mr. Eric Blatt, conductor

VI. Bird on a Wire Chantal Sellers, lyrics
commissioned by Eugene Concert Choir, Dr. Diane Retallak, conductor

VII. Agnus Dei

VIII. Eight Inches

IX. Benedictus

X. Marching into Light (Title and text to be determined by commissioning choir and composer)

New York and Oregon are already on board. Several choirs from other states are reviewing proposals with their leadership teams.

With Long Island Voices joining forces with Connecticut singers, I am also planning to organize a benefit concert in central Connecticut for The Avielle Foundation of Sandy Hook. This will also serve to workshop “The Unarmed Child” and several other works underway.

If you’d like to listen to a few samples of my work in the meantime, I have some videos of performances on the home page of my website: https://mbqstudio.com. Both “I’ll Fly Away” and “Nigra Sum” are being picked up by Peermusic Classical beginning January 2019.

I can be reached at or (516) 729-0970 to provide further information.

Thank you for considering this project.