The season Finale of 2015-2016 was a musical tribute to children with special needs. Each of the musical selections spoke of caring, kindness and solidarity. The musical performances were accented with video interviews of Cantus families telling their stories of how children with special needs have impacted their lives. The concert began with a welcome from the McCauley family.
The Cantus choirs performed Stand Together, an inspirational song about standing side by side and the growth that can be achieved. Later in the program, Jake and Lisa Bernhardt spoke of their experience of having twin boys with autism.
Following their interview, VoiceOver performed Worn by Christian pop band, 10th Avenue North. The song speaks of the weight of struggles and trials and the desire to be relieved of those burdens.
Kyle Wintersteen, long time member of Cantus, has Asperger’s Syndrome. In his video interview, he talked about some of the struggles he’s had. Following his interview, he sang Angels, as performed by David Archuleta, to his mother. Kyle received a standing ovation for his heartfelt and powerful performance of this tribute.
Later in the program, three brothers and Cantus members talked about what it’s like to live with Hunter, their brother with special needs.
Following Hunter’s interview, the choirs performed Pharrell’s Happy. This song was used in a music video for Down Syndrome Awareness Day in 2014. Cantus Youth Choirs secured permission to play the video while performing Happy live. Guest artist Duane Reno was the featured soloist.
The penultimate performance of the tribute concert was The Image of God by Craig Courtney. Cantus Youth Choirs commissioned Courtney and lyricist Susan Bengal Boersma to compose this song. Artistic Director Erika McCauley wrote the following to Mr. Courtney, and included it in the concert program:
In 2008, my son Brock was born. He has Down Syndrome, Autism, a Sensory Processing Disorder, and an immune deficiency … And he is the most beautiful, glorious, resilient, optimistic person I have ever known. In his five short years he has already survived 8 surgeries or procedures. He is a fighter, and has changed my husband and me for the better, and given us fresh lenses through which to see and appreciate the beauty in life. Because people like my son have difficulty advocating for or expressing themselves, I feel like there is a huge gap in the choral music world that represents a growing segment of society (it is estimated that 1 in 49 boys now have Autism). I would love for my singers to be able to perform a piece that reflects the constant joy and love that my son and people like him bring to everyone around them … We have tried through our choirs to help our youth expand their vision, feel hope, and appreciate virtue and beauty. In the past, we have done benefit concerts for non-profits that help children in need. Last year we focused on raising awareness and funds to help a mother of 4 who has terminal brain cancer. Helping these youth see beyond their typical lives, develop empathy, and help others has been sweet and rewarding. This spring (2015), I would love to help raise their awareness for people with disabilities. We have many youth in our choir program who either have a disability or a sibling with a disability, and I know this would mean a lot to them to be honored in this way.
Erika McCauley continued in the program notes with the following:
Mr. Courtney quickly replied. He rarely takes comission requests, but this request resonated with him because he has a son with Down syndrome, who succumbed to leukemia at the age of four. Ms. Susan Bentall Boersma wrote the lyrics. This piece has been a labor of love for all of us. It has been deep and meaningful to the Cantus singers, over 80% of whom have said that either they or someone close to them has special needs. We are thrilled to share the Idaho premiere of The Image of God with you tonight.
The Image of God was performed by the combined choirs of Cantus. It was directed by Erika McCauley with Lauren Rawlings on the violin and Keith McCauley on the piano. The dedication reads, “Written for Brock McCauley and all children with special needs, all of whom bear the image of their Creator.”
The tribute concert culminated in a powerful choral setting of Hope Will Lead Us On by Jesus Gomez. Here’s a recording of Cantus performing it on tour, featuring Erin Todd and Colette Kofoed.