“Pay it No Mind,” the final movement of “Marsha” by Jeffrey Evans

Performed by members of the Vivo Choir, Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir program

Showcased at the 2020 OAKE Conference was a newly commissioned work by Jeffrey Evans, ORSYC Musicianship Instructor and Expanding Voices Director. Skondin commissioned Evans in 2018 to write a piece about Marsha P. Johnson, a person who was pivotal in the equal rights movement for the LGBTQIA+ community.  This poignant and important work was premiered in fall 2019 by the ORSYC Vivo choir, our high school age singers.

“I commissioned Jeff to write this piece because we have many singers in ORSYC that are gender fluid and working to find their place in the world, just like Marsha. She was a positive and welcoming person keeping an amazing attitude, despite the deep marginalization and discrimination she faced. This piece is designed to be a celebration of love and acceptance of all people, from all walks of life. I always want our ORSYC singers to know they are enough, they have so much to give.”  
ORSYC Artistic Director Kimberly Skondin