I HAVE A VOICE

SOUTH PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL, 637 HIGHLAND AVENUE, SOUTH PORTLAND

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026 AT 7:30PM AND SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026 AT 3:00PM

This winter, we present a formidable choral program entitled “I Have a Voice.” 

The seed of this concert was originally a concept of “power.” Themes and memes of power, much of it formulated and wielded in aggressive and destructive ways, are everywhere with us these days. While recognizing this, we did not want to offer a concert that embodied that same posture or tone. Instead we aimed to highlight healthy and prosocial manifestations of power.  

The concert title comes from the song A Beautiful Noise, written by eight women and recorded by Brandi Carlile and Alicia Keyes. All of these women hoped to inspire people to vote in the 2020 elections. An insistent line in the lyric says, “I have a voice/ It is loud, it is clear/ It’s stronger than your fear/ It’s believing you belong/It’s calling out the wrong.” In Women in Harmony, we amplify that voice by a factor of 60. 

The courage to claim one’s own power is also part of our concert’s message. Joan Szymko’s Malala lifts up the renowned young Pakistani activist. Its lyrics have her declare, “Their bullet did not stop me. I am Malala. Their bullet gave me power to raise my voice…”  Resilient by Rising Appalachia emphasizes the idea that there is power in numbers. “My voice feels tiny, and I’m sure so does yours/ but put us all together make a mighty roar…”
  
Other songs on the program include Rise Up, a setting by Jake Runestad of some powerful words of Susan B. Anthony; and Eric Whitacre’s Sing Gently. 
  
We also welcome the group Darlin’ Corey as a participating guest in the concert. Collectively, these musicians play fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass, and pedal steel guitar. 

Please join as for this empowering concert!

PURCHASE TICKETS

Friday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 17 at 3:00 p.m.

Artwork created by Sharlah-Mae Day