In advance of the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s April 8 performance of Nigel Westlake’s Compassion at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Texas, the orchestra will host “Compassionate Conversations,” an education forum at the Blanton Museum of Art on March 29. The forum, designed to bring diverse communities together, is presented in partnership with the Blanton Museum, University of Texas at Austin Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and leaders from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities. Pam Benson Owens, director for human resources and operations for Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, will serve as moderator. Panelists include Peter Bay, music director of the Austin Symphony Orchestra; Jay Rubin, CEO of Shalom Austin; fundraising consultant Fayruz Benyousef; Rev. Dr. Gregory Cuéllar, a professor at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary; and Rabbi Neil Blumofe, senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudas Achim. Nigel Westlake’s Compassion is seven-movement song cycle for voice and orchestra, alternating movements from Hebrew and Arabic prayer texts; the world premiere was in September 2013 by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Posted March 23, 2016
Pictured: Austin Symphony Orchestra Music Director Peter Bay
