Considering Matthew Shepard
Spring, 2023
Memorabilia from the electronic archive:
Complementing our performance, we were pleased to offer the following special programs:
In 1998, Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, robbed, beaten, and murdered in Laramie, Wyoming. Lesléa Newman was the keynote speaker for Gay Awareness Week at the University of Wyoming that year, and arrived on campus the day that Matthew Shepard died from this horrendous hate crime. This program uses poetry, photographs, and creative visualization to explore the impact of Matthew Shepard’s murder on the world. Click here for a Press Release about this event.
This presentation was designed to accompany our Spring concert.
On May 16, Conductor Sheila Heffernon, chorus member Jon Solins, and Lesléa Newman were interviewed on Bill Newman’s talk show “Talk the Talk” for WHMP radio. Sheila and Jon performed the opening piece of the oratorio. Click here for the direct link to the recording of the interview.
Da Camera thanks the Mass Cultural Council for its generous support.
Mass Cultural Council
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Letter of appreciation from Judy Shepard to Da Camera
The letter was accompanied by a poster that was displayed in the foyer of the Greenfield High School, where Da Camera performed the oratorio. Here’s an image of the poster:
Articles
Pieces appearing near the time of Da Camera’s performance of the oratorio:
May 9, 2023 – Complaints about mistreatment of LGBTQ students at Amherst Regional Middle School
May 13, 2023 – Educating local community about LGBTQ people
Photographs
Pictures of events leading up to and including performance day.