Carrying the Torch: Songs that Celebrate Remarkable Women

On Saturday, May 4th in Newton, MA and Sunday May 5th in Arlington, MA the women of Cantilena present “Carrying the Torch: songs that celebrate remarkable women” – a choral concert highlighting music inspired by and created by the ground-breaking achievements of some of history’s renowned women.

Music Director Jennifer Kane presents a sampling of works which honor women who have pushed beyond the social boundaries of their time, thus transforming both the role of women in society and the course of humanity in a predominantly male-dominated historical narrative.

This program tells the stories of strong women: a young Malala Yousafzai advocating for girls’ safe access to education, Harriet Tubman leading dozens of her brothers and sisters to freedom as an Underground Railroad conductor and Union spy, The Women’s Vocal Orchestra of Sumatra refusing to surrender to their WWII captors, Sojourner Truth’s mission to abolish enslavement of black women and to demand women’s suffrage, Amelia Earhart inspiring generations of girls by championing women in aviation, Annie Sullivan & Helen Keller’s break-through from darkness and isolation into a means of expression and connection. These women continue to touch people throughout the world.