SOLI’s final concert of its 31st season, Cancionero, presents the world premiere of Cancionero de luto (Mourning Songbook) by Puerto Rican-born Cuban composer Armando Bayolo. This heart-wrenching response to the shooting in 2022 at Robb Elementary School and others like it sets six texts in as many languages to fill the need for an ecumenical music of grief that also embraces freethinkers, atheists, and other non-spiritual traditions. Commissioned by SOLI Chamber Ensemble and Yale University for its Choral Arts Ensemble of the Yale Divinity School, this new work is scored for small ensemble and chorus, and marks SOLI’s second collaboration with the San Antonio Chamber Choir. 

The evening will also include Blaze by Dianna Link from SOLI’s signature anniversary initiative, the 30x30x30 Project, Shawn Okpebholo’s reimagining of Amazing Grace for solo piano, and entre azul y buenas noches by Marco-Adrián Ramos, winner of the 2023 Cross-Country Chamber Consortium.