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
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
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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Composer:
​
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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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?"
Claudia Aizaga
flute
"My mission is to educate and empower audiences from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds through the performance of contemporary music."
Brendon Bushman
oboe
"I struggle to live in the present moment, often vacillating between being stuck in my own head and racing around. Making music, especially collaboratively, is my ultimate meditation – it tunes me into to the present moment and anchors me in gratitude to the space and people around me."
Rachel Farhi
soprano voice
🎵
Lynette Fraser
alto voice
"I am inspired to make music because of the way that music brings people together from all walks of life for a shared vision and purpose. Music elevates hearts and engages our souls in a way that is unique and sacred to the human experience."
Laura Harada
violin
"The ability to collaborate and communicate complex emotions without words. Making music changes and inspires me and holds the possibility of inspiring others."
Eri Isomura
percussion
"When I see others that can't help but create art, I feel affirmed when I feel a little more understood, to myself, when I make music.
​"What is something that inspires you to make music?"
April Kim
piano
"Being able to make music with other musicians and share new or underrepresented works to the audience!"
Trevor Lemon-Todd
tenor voice
"I make music to help myself and others take time to create and reflect on the world's beauty and harsh truths."
David Lesniaski
university baptist
choir director
"I don't really have a response other than
Why do I breathe?"
Jean Lubke
carillon handbell choir director
"I'm inspired by the magic that happens when musician work together to bring a new musical experience to an audience who is moved by the music."
Caitlin Lucic
timpani
"I am inspired to create music because it is a way to build community. We all need each other, and music is a beautiful way to create something together where every contribution is both unique and valuable!"
Melissa Morales
clarinet
🎵
"What is something that inspires you to
make music?"
Devan Moran
violin
"Music allows us to create and transform emotions with sound and that’s pretty cool!”
Deanna Petre
viola
"As a violist, I am inspired by playing with other musicians and the unique combination of personalities, instruments, and sounds that come from each ensemble. Every concert setting is unique, and the chance to create a special moment where time stands still for both the musicians and the audience is what drives me to perform."
Patty Ryan
cello
"The storytelling from composer to colleague and audience."
Audrey Snyder
cello
🎵
Lauren Thrift
soprano voice
"Music has always been a way for me to explore and to express what is inside of me even when I do not have the words. There is something special about connecting with myself and with others through music."
Jason Wells
double bass
"Music has consistently been the area in my life where I can express the depth of my emotions in a way that builds connection with others. I find it to be a beautiful process."
Carillon Handbell Choir
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Francisco Diaz
Jill Easton
Karole Graham
Hongting Guo
Betsy Kerr
Caroline Lubke
Gene Velasco
Dawn Walker
Janella Wendorf
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
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 :)
local non-profit groups featured:
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Heather's
Homework
Club