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MWHS Vocalists to Perform 'Suffrage Cantata' with Bella Lumina

MWHS Vocalists to Perform 'Suffrage Cantata' with Bella Lumina

February 4, 2025 — In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of International Women’s Day being adopted by the United Nations, Bella Lumina will honor the stories and history of the Suffrage Movement by performing Andrea Ramsey’s Suffrage Cantata, a multi-movement work scored for treble choir, piano, string quartet, percussion, narrator, and soloist, on March 8, at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park.  

Historical images and footage will be projected throughout the powerful work and will feature Bella Lumina’s 60 treble singers along with guest treble singers from Mound Westonka High School, Minnetonka High School, and Minnehaha Academy.

 "I am very proud of the incredible preparation Bel Canto Choir is accomplishing to be part of this powerful story,” said MWHS choir director Kelly Newell, who noted that singers ages 13–83 will be singing the Suffrage Cantata. “It's a unique and special opportunity to work with MN Choral Educator of the Year, Michelle Gehrz, who also serves as our collaborative pianist for the Mound Westonka Choirs."    

 “It is so very important to share with our younger generation this oftentimes untold story of the 72-plus-year old struggle to gain the voting rights for women,” said Gehrz. “We hope that the words, stories, and actions of our ancestral suffragist sisters will inspire youth to keep carrying the torch of equality and keep marching for justice.”

The Suffrage Cantata performance will take place on Saturday, March 8 at 3:30 p.m. at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park. Tickets are $20 and will be available in advance through Ticketstripe.