Performance: Minnesota Orchestra

Information on Umoja:

“Umoja by Valerie Coleman was commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra and was premiered in September 2019. This performance marked the first piece by a living African-American composer that Philadelphia has ever played. Notes from the composer below:

‘In its original form, Umoja, the Swahili word for Unity and the first principle
of the African Dispora holiday Kwanzaa, was compose a simple song for women’s choir. It embodied a sense of ‘tribal unity’, through the feel of a drum circle, the sharing
of history through traditional “call and response” form and the repetition of a memorable
sing-song melody. It was rearranged into woodwind quintet form during the genesis of
Coleman’s chamber music ensemble, Imani Winds, with the intent of providing an
anthem that celebrated the diverse heritages of the ensemble itself.

Almost two decades later from the original, the orchestral version brings an expansion and
sophistication to the short and sweet melody, beginning with sustained ethereal passages
that float and shift from a bowed vibraphone, supporting the introduction of the melody
by solo violin. Here the melody is a sweetly singing in its simplest form with an earnest
reminiscent of Appalachian style music. From there, the melody dances and weaves
throughout the instrument families, interrupted by dissonant viewpoints led by the
brass and percussion sections, which represent the clash of injustices, racism and hate
that threatens to gain a foothold in the world today. Spiky textures turn into an aggressive
exchange between upper woodwinds and percussion, before a return to the melody
as a gentle reminder of kindness and humanity. Through the brass led ensemble tutti, the
journey ends with a bold call of unity that harkens back to the original anthem.
Umoja has seen the seen the creation of many versions, that are like siblings to one another,
similar in many ways, but each with a unique voice that is informed by Coleman’s ever
evolving creativity and perspective.

This version honors the simple melody that ever was, but is now a full exploration into the
meaning of freedom and unity. Now more than ever, Umoja has to ring as a strong and beautiful anthem for the world we live in today.’”

Information on the Composer:

“Valerie Coleman is regarded by many as an iconic artist who continues to pave her own unique path as a composer, GRAMMY®-nominated flutist, and entrepreneur. Highlighted as one of the “Top 35 Women Composers” by The Washington Post, she was named Performance Today’s 2020 Classical Woman of the Year, an honor bestowed to an individual who has made a significant contribution to classical music as a performer, composer or educator. Her works have garnered awards such as the MAPFund, ASCAP Honors Award, Chamber Music America’s Classical Commissioning Program, Herb Alpert Ragdale Residency Award, and nominations from The American Academy of Arts and Letters and United States Artists. Umoja, Anthem for Unity was chosen by Chamber Music America as one of the “Top 101 Great American Ensemble Works” and is now a staple of woodwind literature.”

– ValerieColeman.com