Seraphim Singers, with director Jennifer Lester. Gregory Merklin photograph
Nevertheless, she persisted.
It’s a motto that suits many leaders.
That rallying cry serves as the linchpin for Seraphim Singers’ upcoming concerts this weekend in Newton and Cambridge, as well as the title of a world premiere on the program by Shruthi Rajasekar. It could also apply to the Seraphim Singers themselves, and their director, Jennifer Lester.
Formed by Lester in 1997, Seraphim Singers were founded to explore sacred choral music, as well as adventurous new settings written for the group or unearthed by Lester herself. Over more than two decades, Lester and her singers have premiered works by Avner Dorman, Eric Sawyer, Julian Wachner, Elliott Gyger and others. In addition to those commissions, Seraphim Singers have sung sacred repertory, ranging from Renaissance works by Palestrina and Byrd to 20th century compositions from Duruflé and Copland.
“I got frustrated with the lack of possibilities,” Lester, who lives in Watertown, says of founding the vocal ensemble, “and I finally started my own group. It began with 16 of us, and it grew from there.”
This program has sprouted from various individual inspirations. It takes its title, obviously, from the infamous confrontation between Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republicans in the Senate during confirmation hearings for Jeff Sessions.
But musically it’s grown as well. Rajasekar’s commission follows a previous work of hers, “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep,” which Seraphim Singers performed in 2019. Also included is Richard Clark’s “Woman of No Distinction,” revisiting last year’s premiere of that work—“I believe new works should be repeated, whenever they can,” Lester says.
Mari Esabel Valverde’s “Border Lines” and Edie Hill’s “There in No Age” extend the program’s theme, which also includes works by Patricia Van Ness, Hilary Tann, Christina Whitten Thomas and Margaretha Christina de Jong.
Rajasekar’s short (about five minutes) premiere will be the spiritual centerpiece of the concerts. “I didn’t give her any specific instructions,” Lester says of the process. “She’s Indian/American, and lives in London now, and I wanted a commission outside the American/Western demographic.
“She’s not making any judgment,” Lester says. “The phrase can mean many things.”
And Rajasekar does do many things with the phrase, and other bits of text that she takes from the Congressional record. She uses words in snippets, and even creates an aleatoric section for the singers to improvise. The text carries meaning, but also exists as pure sound as well.
“The words are clear, except when she doesn’t want them to be,” Lester says. “At one point there is layer upon layer, and certain voices drown out the other voices. She gives lots of freedom to the singers—in the notes she instructs them to bring something from their own experience to the work.”
Rajasekar’s commission spotlights a quartet of soloists, which Lester doubles for this performance, placing them at the core of the choir. “There are challenges,” Lester says. “But they’re an intrepid group, well trained, and they like doing new things. We don’t do war horses.”
Seraphim Singers present “Nevertheless, She Persisted” on Sat., Feb. 29 at Eliot Church in Newton and Sunday, March 1 at First Church in Cambridge. For tickets visit seraphimsingers.org or call 617 926-0126.