Stuart Beatch - "Jesus at the Gay Bar" for SATB and Piano (2023)

"Jesus at the Gay Bar" for SATB and Piano (2023) Music by Stuart Beatch Text by Jay Hulme https://stuartbeatch.com/jesus-at-the... i Coristi Chamber Choir (Edmonton, AB, Canada)    / @icoristi   Director: Rob Curtis Pianist: Ariane Lowrey Live recording from the first performance in November 2023 -- As a queer person of faith, the intersection between religion and sexuality has always been important to me. I first discovered Jay Hulme’s poem circulating online following the November 2022 shooting in Colorado Springs—despite the grief and fear being felt by the queer community, Jay’s beautiful expression of love and acceptance resonated with me in a profound way. My setting of this poem begins with rhythmic dance music played by the piano, creating a kaleidoscope of bright and contradicting harmonies. As the piece progresses, the textures and harmonies become simpler and evoke music from the English cathedral tradition, repertoire that has defined my own musical development over the last decade. The music ends with a moment of peace, as if Heaven itself has opened to welcome queer people in. Learn more at https://stuartbeatch.com/