SAN DIEGO–SACRA/PROFANA will offer the final concert of its 10th anniversary season on May 19, presenting Border X-sings, a timely musical presentation that takes on issues of immigration, borders, nationalism, and historical perspective.
“The San Diego/Tijuana border crossing represents the largest land border crossing in the world, a boundary that has received a great deal of national and international attention,” notes SACRA/PROFANA artistic director Juan Carlos Acosta. “It seemed only appropriate that we consider some of these issues from musical and historical perspectives, and find the humanity in the situation rather than just the headlines.”
The program will open with a piece by Francisco Guerrero.
“He was one of the most well-traveled composers of the Renaissance. Although born in Spain he lived in Italy for a time, made a trip to the Holy Land and was even captured and ransomed by pirates in his travels. He is one of the first people to write about his travels extensively and sell those accounts in order to gain financial security,” Acosta points out. “Guerrero’s music was included in collections brought to the New World with Spanish colonialists and remained popular and influential for centuries beyond his time. It is conceivable this music was performed here in California as many as three centuries ago.”
The first half of the program will highlight the complicated nature of national identity by featuring the music of European colonialists alongside music and texts from indigenous sources as well as music from the African-American tradition, born out of slavery.
The second half of the program features music by contemporary composers on issues of immigration, refugees, national identity and belonging. The style of compositions in the second half of the program ranges from lush and shimmering a cappella, to compositions in a neo-minimalist style, as well as pieces on the boundaries of tonal music. Throughout the diversity of style, form and source, is the unifying theme of immigration.
“While I wouldn’t characterize this as a political program per se,” Acosta adds, “my hope is to bring awareness of the historical context of immigration and humanize the plight of refugees.”
As SACRA/PROFANA finishes their 10th season they acknowledge the contribution of Executive Director, Clay Myers- Bowman, who has provided over the last two years. The board of directors made the difficult decision to let Myers-Bowman go at the end of April.
“We want to thank Clay for all the things he has done to move SACRA/PROFANA forward over the last two years and wish him all the best as he continues his career here in San Diego,” Karl Bunker, President of the Board of Directors stated.
The concert will be held at 4 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front Street in San Diego.
General admission $25, reserved seating $35, and student and active military $10.
Tickets are available for advanced purchase at Brown Paper Tickets https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3621858
