SOUND WAVES: THE MUSIC OF ESMAIL, GARRETT, AND WOO
May 31, 2026 - 7:00 PM
Sound Waves: The Music of Esmail, Garrett, and Woo offers three powerful meditations on water including Malhaar: A Requiem for Water by Swan Family Artist-in-Residence Reena Esmail, alongside new works by composers Marques L. A. Garrett and Hyowon Woo. With Malhaar, Reena explores the universal theme of water through a cross-cultural lens, emphasizing that we are all citizens of the earth connected by a huge ecosystem in which water is a life force. Reena was inspired by William O’Daly’s book “Water Ways,” a poetic exploration of the disappearance of water. O'Daly is known for his English translations of the poetry of Pablo Neruda, and is also a Research Writer at the California Department of Water Resources and is the Lead Writer for the California Water Plan. Reena uses O’Daly’s text throughout the piece, intermingled with movements from the traditional requiem text. Overlaid on this texture are passages in Sanskrit and Hindi. The work moves through the various forms of Raag Malhaar (monsoon raags), to convey the importance and power of water, which holds a sacred place in Indian classical music. The work features Hindustani vocalist Saili Oak.
American composer Marques L. A. Garrett and South Korean composer Hyowon Woo are two of the most exciting and innovative creative voices in the contemporary choral music landscape. Garrett is the Associate Professor of Choral Studies at the University of North Texas, and an active conductor and composer. A versatile baritone and countertenor, Garrett’s performances span both solo and choral works, and he is recognized for his research on non-idiomatic choral music by Black composers. Hyowon Woo, known for her innovative and expressive choral compositions, often incorporates elements of Korean musical aesthetics while staying rooted in the Western choral tradition, making her compositions both unique and compelling.
ARTISTS
GRANT GERSHON, conductor
CAMILLA TASSI, video installation
62 singers, Saili Oak, vocalist, Abhiman Kaushal, tabla, Ian Rosenbaum, western percussion
Please note that artists, dates, times, prices, and program are subject to change. All sales final.
| Date | Performance Times | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Walt Disney Concert Hall | Buy Tickets |
Sound Waves: The Music of Esmail, Garrett, and Woo offers three powerful meditations on water including Malhaar: A Requiem for Water by Swan Family Artist-in-Residence Reena Esmail, alongside new works by composers Marques L. A. Garrett and Hyowon Woo. With Malhaar, Reena explores the universal theme of water through a cross-cultural lens, emphasizing that we are all citizens of the earth connected by a huge ecosystem in which water is a life force. Reena was inspired by William O’Daly’s book “Water Ways,” a poetic exploration of the disappearance of water. O'Daly is known for his English translations of the poetry of Pablo Neruda, and is also a Research Writer at the California Department of Water Resources and is the Lead Writer for the California Water Plan. Reena uses O’Daly’s text throughout the piece, intermingled with movements from the traditional requiem text. Overlaid on this texture are passages in Sanskrit and Hindi. The work moves through the various forms of Raag Malhaar (monsoon raags), to convey the importance and power of water, which holds a sacred place in Indian classical music. The work features Hindustani vocalist Saili Oak.
American composer Marques L. A. Garrett and South Korean composer Hyowon Woo are two of the most exciting and innovative creative voices in the contemporary choral music landscape. Garrett is the Associate Professor of Choral Studies at the University of North Texas, and an active conductor and composer. A versatile baritone and countertenor, Garrett’s performances span both solo and choral works, and he is recognized for his research on non-idiomatic choral music by Black composers. Hyowon Woo, known for her innovative and expressive choral compositions, often incorporates elements of Korean musical aesthetics while staying rooted in the Western choral tradition, making her compositions both unique and compelling.
ARTISTS
GRANT GERSHON, conductor
CAMILLA TASSI, video installation
62 singers, Saili Oak, vocalist, Abhiman Kaushal, tabla, Ian Rosenbaum, western percussion
Please note that artists, dates, times, prices, and program are subject to change. All sales final.
| Date | Performance Times | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Walt Disney Concert Hall | Buy Tickets |
