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Love & Light

Saturday february 15th @ 3pm
sunday February 16th @ 7pm


First Baptist Church, St. Paul

production leaders:
Eri Isomura
Elwyn A. Fraser Jr.
Ashley Ng
Jason Wells


artistic collaborators:
University Baptist Choir
Carillon Handbell Choir


this project is made possible through funding from the
Anna M. Heilmaier Charitable Foundation
and by music lovers like you!

Program notes

PROGRAM

Repertoire and Program Notes composed by

Elwyn A. Fraser Jr.​

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*Concert Introductions given by

Kathy Saltzman Romey - Artistic Director of MN Chorale (2/15)

and

Gary Hines - Director of Sounds of Blackness (2/16)

Stars Within

Studio-released first on 2/9/2024, Elwyn originally premiered an acappella arrangement of this song at Night Songs (an annual multi-ensemble music event) where he received positive feedback. Elwyn then later orchestrated this song for 10th Wave to perform live at “Love & Light” (our current concert). Listeners' responses have included “Soothing”, “Stunning”, and “Bobby McFerrin”. Elwyn cares for this dynamic song to inspire light and love overcoming darkness and distance. Whether you are loving someone from afar, missing someone who is gone, or finding your way spiritually, Elwyn wrote this song to soothe the listener’s soul and warm their spirit.

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Heaven's Sunrise

​Published first in a 2005 college application, Elwyn originally embarked upon this musical work in high school and included it in his application to St. Olaf College. After graduating St. Olaf College and experiencing 17 years of life's highs and lows, Elwyn returned in 2022 with more life experience and personal hardships overcome to inform his developing sense for cinematic expression and the completion of this larger scale musical work.
 

We Are Free

​Premiered first on 8/15/2021 at 10th Wave's first annual outdoor program, “At Dusk”, Elwyn was originally inspired by the pandemic and social unrest felt across nearly every level of society … where vulnerably accepting one's feelings and hard realities is a brave and critical step to overcoming and transforming one's circumstances.
 

Our Hearts Will Sing On 

​Studio-released first on 11/28/2024, Elwyn originally produced an acappella arrangement of this musical work with the duet layer performed alongside his beloved wife, Lynnette Fraser. Elwyn then later orchestrated this musical work for 10th Wave, University Baptist Choir, and Carillon Handbell Choir to perform live at “Love & Light” (our current concert).

   
When words escape us, Elwyn sincerely believes that almost everything remains - based on Elwyn's own personal experience as well as the body language research of Albert Mehrabian. Albert specifically concluded only 7% of feelings & attitudes occur through words spoken, while 38% occur through tone & voice and the remaining 55% occur through body language. Elwyn's musical work focuses on that 38% of tone & voice to vulnerably uplift oneself and others through an otherworldly soundscape. Singing from the heart can transcend language and uplift hearts across cultures.

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Elwyn A. Fraser Jr.

Composer:

Elwyn a. fraser jr.

 

 

 

 

​

Hi, I'm Elwyn Alexander Fraser Junior. I am a local 1st-generation Caribbean-American artist, engineer, and humanitarian dedicated to helping move mountains of hearts to love, to heal, to find peace. Simply put, I care about you. I care about being a safe space where you feel seen, heard, empowered, and more equipped to live your best life with empathy for the lives all around you.

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As a musical artist, I’m a singer-songwriter-producer, multi-instrumentalist and 4.5 octave dynamic baritone vocalist/speaker. For 16+ years, I've worked with various award-winning musicians - including Sounds of Blackness, 10th Wave, MN Chorale, MN Orchestra, 29:11, VocalEssence, and St. Olaf Choir. I've lent my voice to 1000's across venues spanning from Ireland to London and from Orchestra Hall to Carnegie Hall.

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Critics and professional artists alike have described my musical approach as “a masterpiece”, “cinematic”, “phenomenal”, “purposeful”, “a journey”, “eloquent”, “incredible”, “atmosphere changing”, and “inviting”. With transformative meaning, I strive to weave evermore wide-ranging heart-warming harmonies across style hues of classical crossover, choral, r&b, gospel, jazz, ballad, and lullaby.

 

I find empathic music and narration to be a universal language to the heart. I desire to tear down divides and uplift souls on their journey to a purposeful life and healthy fellowship with humankind and our planet. Even a single voice can make a difference in another’s life. So, quiet not the song in your own heart.

To chat & learn more, go to: ElwynAlexanderFraserJunior.com

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Composer Elwyn
MUSICIANS

MUSICIANS

           In the spirit of togetherness and making connections through a shared love for music, we invited our musicians to respond to the following prompt:

            ​"What is something that inspires you to make music?"        

            ​"What is something that inspires  you to make music?"        

  "What is something that                       inspires  you to

                          make music?"    

Carillon Handbell Choir

​

Francisco Diaz

Jill Easton

Karole Graham

Hongting Guo

Betsy Kerr

Caroline Lubke

Gene Velasco

Dawn Walker

Janella Wendorf 

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University Baptist Choir

(*denotes section leader)

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Soprano: *Lauren Thrift, *Rachel Leah Farhi, Claire Mavity 

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Alto: *Lynnette Ashley Fraser, Rochelle Milbrath, Denise Roy 

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Tenor: *Trevor Lemon-Todd, David Lesniaski, John Wottrich 

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Bass: *Elwyn A. Fraser Jr., Doug Donley, Jonathan Lubke

All parties >

concert activities

     Join us after the programs for our musical instrument petting zoo on stage, non-profit pop up displays in the lobby, and cookies shared by the performers! We love building communities through concert activities and meeting our audiences :)

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local non-profit groups featured:

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African Classroom Connection
Can Do Canines
Feed My Starving Children
Gifts For Seniors
Heather's Homework Club
ISAIAH
Open Arms
Project Healthy Smile
Washburn Center For Children

Heather's

Homework

Club

After concert activities
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