Tonality Unveils 2023-24 Season

Award-winning, activism-oriented vocal ensemble Tonality today announced their 2023-24 season, featuring four mainstage concerts and spanning a variety of genres and composers, led by Director Alexander Lloyd Blake: Just Life (October 8), Just Me (December 1 and 3), Lessons Adjusted (March 24) and You Are Not Alone (May 17 and 19). 

The series, entitled “Justice,” explores recent United States Supreme Court decisions that have sparked conversations and activism nationwide. Through a lens of compassion, the ensemble will share stories that revolve around pivotal topics such as criminal justice reform, transgender rights, education equity and mental health advocacy. 

“Through the captivating medium of music and the compelling narratives we weave, we aim to not only raise awareness but also cultivate empathy and encourage active civic engagement,” Blake said. “We hope these events will serve as catalysts for thoughtful discussions and inspire each of us to play a role in building a more equitable and harmonious society.”  

Just Life (Oct. 8, The Ebell of Los Angeles) delves into the core of the justice system's intricate tapestry through hauntingly beautiful compositions, laying bare the tales of resilience, survival and the unbreakable spirit of those who have borne the weight of America's criminal justice practices. Tonality will perform works from Joel Thompson, Roman Gianarthur, Frances Pollock, Stephen Trask, Dale Trumbore, Blake and more. 

Continuing the series, Just Me (Dec. 1 Grace First Presbyterian, Long Beach & Dec. 1, Pico Union Project) shares the stories of transgender and non-binary individuals, shedding light on their journeys and experiences in the face of adversity through heartfelt performances and thought-provoking compositions. 

In a world where classrooms shape the future, Tonality confronts the issues that resonate within the school system in their third concert, Lessons Adjusted (Mar. 14, ??Pico Union Project). This concert will address topics like the Don't Say Gay Bill, Critical Race Theory, school shootings, and affirmative action – sparking discussions that demand attention and reflection. The concert will feature collaborations and storytelling, with the voices of local high school students taking center stage. Through partnerships with organizations dedicated to education, Tonality sets the stage for a profound exploration of how each one of us can contribute to creating educational environments that nurture empathy, unity and a more compassionate future. 

The ensemble concludes their season with You Are Not Alone (May 17, Long Beach, & May 19, The Ebell), shattering the silence surrounding mental illness and challenging societal labels on those who battle with unseen struggles. Through the mesmerizing compositions of Gesualdo, the soulful melodies of Jessie J, the evocative notes of Dale Trumbore, the soul-stirring sounds of Alexander Lloyd Blake, Natalie Dietterich, and more, Tonality dives headfirst into the realms of poets and artists whose music inspires us to create a more compassionate and empathetic world.  

“We hope that the intensity of the subject matter we delve into can be seen as an equal attempt to spread love, joy, and togetherness,” said Director Alexander Lloyd Blake. “As we become honest with each other and help to raise up the voices of those who have not been given equal treatment, we learn how to care for one another, and this helps everyone. These concerts help us to see each other in all our human experiences, and this is the only way we will be able to move forward in real and lasting ways.” 

 

About Tonality: 

Established in 2016, Tonality is an award-winning ensemble known for “open hearted singing” (Lauri’s List). Tonality’s most recent award is the 2020 Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, a prize given for commitment to singing and commissioning new works. 

Tonality is led by founder and Artistic Director?Alexander Lloyd Blake. Blake imagined Tonality as an ensemble that represents the diverse cultures and ethnicities within the Los Angeles area. Within a year of its forming, Tonality’s mission evolved to use their collective voices to present concerts on themes of social justice in hopes to act as a catalyst toward empathy and community activism. The group premiered its first album in 2019 titled?Sing About It. 

Tonality has collaborated with choral composers and film composers to create the works presented in concert, striving for diverse voices and perspectives within the composer community. Collaborators include Joe Trapanese, Roman Gianarthur, Gaayatri Kaundinya, Reena Esmail, Shawn Kirchner, Zanaida Robles, Moira Smiley, Alex Wurman. Tonality has performed with MacArthur Fellow Taylor Mac, Pete Townsend of The Who, pianist Lara Downes, and internationally acclaimed performer Björk. 

 

TONALITY 2023-24 SEASON: “JUSTICE” 

JUST LIFE 

DATE: Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 7 PM 

LOCATION: The Ebell of Los Angeles (743 S. Lucerne Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90005) 
TICKETS: Purchase here 

“Just Life” – a concert that transcends the realms of music to champion justice and illuminate the paths of those who've long been unheard. As we delve into the core of the justice system's intricate tapestry through hauntingly beautiful compositions, we lay bare the tales of resilience, survival, and the unbreakable spirit of those who have borne the weight of America's criminal justice practices. Compositions include music from Joel Thompson, Alexander Lloyd Blake, Roman Gianarthur, Frances Pollock, Stephen Trask, Dale Trumbore, and more. The stories – powerful, poignant, and profoundly human – transcend mere labels and actions to demonstrate the indomitable strength of community and the capacity to soar beyond the constraints of the past.  

 

JUST ME 
DATE: Friday, December 1, 2023 at 7 PM 

LOCATION: Grace First Presbyterian Church (3955 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA 90808) 

DATE: Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 7 PM 

LOCATION: Pico Union Project (1153 Valencia Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015) 

 
TICKETS: Purchase here 

"Just Me" – a concert that goes beyond the melodies and harmonies to stand up against injustice and shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by our transgender and non-binary siblings in the community. Through heartfelt performances and thought-provoking compositions, we'll unravel the stories of transgender and non-binary individuals, shedding light on their journeys and experiences in the face of adversity.  

 

LESSONS ADJUSTED 

DATE: Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 7 PM 

LOCATION: ??Pico Union Project (1153 Valencia Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015) 
TICKETS: Purchase here 

In a world where our classrooms shape the future, "Lessons Adjusted" dares to confront the issues that resonate within our school systems. Through the compositions and storytelling, this concert will address topics like the Don't Say Gay Bill, Critical Race Theory, school shootings, and affirmative action – sparking discussions that demand our attention and reflection. But that's not all – "Lessons Adjusted" will be an evening of collaborations and storytelling, with the voices of local high school students taking center stage. Their experiences, stories, and hopes are woven into a symphony of authenticity and empowerment. Through partnerships with organizations dedicated to education, we're setting the stage for a profound exploration of how each one of us can contribute to creating educational environments that nurture empathy, unity, and a more compassionate future.  

 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE 

DATE: Friday, May 17, 2024, at 7 PM 

LOCATION: Long Beach (TBD) 

DATE: Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 7 PM 

LOCATION: The Ebell of Los Angeles (743 S. Lucerne Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90005) 

TICKETS: Purchase here 

"You Are Not Alone" – a concert by Tonality that dares to shatter the silence surrounding mental illness and challenge society's labels on those who battle with unseen struggles. Through the mesmerizing compositions of Gesualdo, the soulful melodies of Jessie J, the evocative notes of Dale Trumbore, the soul-stirring sounds of Alexander Lloyd Blake, Natalie Dietterich, and more, we dive headfirst into the realms of poets and artists whose music illuminates the path of mental illness.