By Helena Maffei
On Saturday May 13, at 3 p.m., a special performance will take place at Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza, on Columbus Avenue at West 64th Street. A choral piece titled Search for Spring will be sung by five separate choirs, guided by a team of six conductors, led by conductor Simon Halsey. The work — a collaboration between composer Jonathan Dove and librettist Alisdair Middleton — “explores the emotional toll of climate change and our hope for a better future ahead,” according to Lincoln Center’s website.
Since much of this hope relies on communities working together, it is fitting that the hundreds of singers performing Search for Spring are truly “community voices.” The choirs are made up of everyday New Yorkers from all boroughs who wanted to contribute their voices to this cause. There weren’t any formal tryouts.
“One could be professionally trained, one could sing around the house, one could have not sung in a while but want to be a part of something,” said Tyrone Clinton Jr., one of the conductors, whom WSR spoke to by phone. “It’s a reflection of what New York City is, what we’re about,” he said.
The conductors initially met in January, with singing rehearsals beginning about two months ago. Each choir met in a different space. Only as show week approaches, are the different groups gathering together. “Choirs that rehearsed separately are now combined and that brings new context and adds to the learning process,” Clinton said. “It’s fun, but a challenge,”
The performance will last about an hour. Admission is free and requires no advance reservations — seating on Josie Robertson Plaza is on a first come, first served basis. Check the website for accessible seat locations and other accommodations.
“I hope that a lot of New Yorkers and people visiting come out and experience what we’ve been working so hard on,” Clinton said. “This is a beautiful message and a beautiful representation of New York City.”
Five choirs. Six conductors. Uh oh. Sounds like a game of musical choirs.