Adrian Dunn, Colburn’s Director of Choral Programs, leads performance of original works from his upcoming album Resurrection, including the world premiere of MASS at Zipper Hall Friday, February 15, 2025
Tickets on Sale Now
Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Los Angeles – Colburn School and Classical California KUSC present the Adrian Dunn Singers in a joyous celebration of Black History Month on February 15, 2025 at Zipper Hall. The program features original works from Adrian Dunn’s upcoming album Resurrection and the world premiere of his MASS. Led by Dunn, a critically acclaimed singer, composer, conductor, and Colburn’s Director of Choral Programs, the performance showcases his eponymous chamber chorus, an all-Black professional ensemble founded by Dunn which takes “the entire audience to church and beyond” (Times Square Chronicles).
KUSC Host Brisa Siegel will present a pre-concert talk with Adrian Dunn at 6:30 pm in Zipper Hall, exemplifying KUSC's mission of fostering community through inclusive programming and meaningful cultural initiatives.
Resurrection is a powerful testament to the enduring contributions of Black thought leaders such as Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, and Quincy Jones—visionaries who exemplify how Black Americans have always embodied the spirit of resurrection. Resurrection is a moving musical journey, a reminder that even when hope feels distant, the human spirit has the power to rise, stand for justice, begin anew, and embrace life’s miracles.
“Resurrection reflects the timeless truth that Black people have consistently created beauty from adversity, rising again and again,” said Dunn. “It resounds with the wisdom of our ancestors, reminding us that we carry everything we need within ourselves. We are who we have been waiting for. Resurrection is not far—it is present, and it is never too late to rise, dream, and pursue our most audacious hopes.”
Resurrection is the final installment in Dunn’s acclaimed trilogy exploring Black life in 21st-century America, following Redemption and Emancipation. Featuring deeply moving original compositions such as Requiem, I Open My Mouth to the Lord, Hold On, About Midnight, By the River, Mountain Top, excerpts from Dunn’s Zeek: A New Opera Suite, and his MASS, the program captures the profound interplay of darkness and light. The performance also includes Dunn’s Salvation, a song cycle inspired by the writings of bell hooks, culminating in a joyous finale of jazz and gospel premieres.
MASS is a groundbreaking composition that fuses the timeless beauty of the traditional Latin Mass with the soul-stirring power of African American spirituals. The work interweaves Latin movements such as Alleluia, Dona Nobis Pacem, Libera me, and Ave Maria with original spirituals composed by Dunn. MASSpays homage to the resilience and spiritual legacy of enslaved Africans, offering a profound narrative that bridges classical and Black musical traditions.
Renowned for his prolific creativity, Adrian Dunn’s work has received national praise. Recent highlights include his 2023 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award win for Outstanding Audio for his PBS special Live from The Harris: Adrian Dunn’s Emancipation; the Adrian Dunn Singers Carnegie Hall debut in June 2024; the PBS special Wonderful: A Soulful Celebration with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; and composing the score for the Hulu/Disney+ documentary Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story. Dunn is a MacArthur Grant recipient for his original composition Hopera: A Hip-Hop Opera, commissioned by Marin Alsop and the Chicago Symphony at Ravinia.
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EVENT DETAILS:
Colburn Presents: Adrian Dunn Singers
Saturday, February 15, 2025
7 p.m.
Pre-concert talk with Adrian Dunn, hosted by KUSC’s Brisa Siegel
6:30 p.m
Zipper Hall at Colburn School
200 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Tickets on sale now
Program:
Jericho
MASS
Dona Nobis (Allegro)
Libera Me
I Open My Mouth
Dona Nobis (Largo)
Bells
Alleluia
Amen
Mountain Top - for Jackie Robinson*
Walk On Water
Hold On
About Midnight
The River
I've Got JoyI*
*with students from the Colburn Concert Choir
Please click here to learn more about Choirs at Colburn.
Please click here to learn more about Adrian Dunn.
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About the Colburn School
A performing arts institution located in the heart of Los Angeles, the Colburn School trains students from beginners to those about to embark on professional careers. The academic units of the School provide a complete spectrum of music and dance education united by a single philosophy: that all who desire to study music or dance should have access to top-level instruction.
- The diploma- and degree-granting Conservatory of Music is distinguished by a unique all-scholarship model, renowned faculty, and outstanding performance opportunities. It prepares the very highest level of collegiate musicians for professional careers.
- The Music Academy is a highly selective training program for gifted young pre-collegiate musicians, designed to prepare students for conservatory study and performing careers at the highest levels of achievement. This program offers residential options and balances performance, musical instruction, and academics.
- The Community School of Performing Arts welcomes students of all ages, from seven months old to adults. It offers more than 120 classes each year in orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, voice, jazz, music theory, drama, and ensembles including orchestra, choir, and chamber music.
- The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute develops performers of all levels, from aspiring professionals in the Dance Academy to beginners starting in Youth Dance. Students of all levels receive training in ballet, tap, musical theater, and modern genres as part of a comprehensive dance education.
- Created to serve all units of the School, the Center for Innovation and Community Impact empowers the musical and dance leaders of tomorrow by nurturing students’ passion and ability to serve their communities, preparing them for sustainable careers, and embracing the development of new ideas. The Center embodies Colburn’s commitment to developing young artists with the curiosity, skills, and commitment to make a difference in their field.
Each year, more than 2,000 students from around the world come to Colburn to benefit from the renowned faculty, exceptional facilities, and focus on excellence that unites the community.
The Colburn Center, designed by Frank Gehry, is a multi-faceted campus expansion of the Colburn School. Located across the street from the School’s existing campus at the intersection of Olive and Second Streets, the Colburn Center will enable the School to expand its mission of presenting programs for the public. Gehry’s design includes a 1,000-seat in-the-round concert hall named Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall, five professional-sized dance studios including a 100-seat studio theater, and gardens that bring fresh air and green spaces to the downtown landscape. The Colburn School broke ground on the Colburn Center on April 5, 2024. The completed project will join Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Grand complex to create the largest concentration of buildings designed by the architect in the world.
About Classical California
Classical California is America’s largest listener-supported public media organization for classical music reaching 1.4 million monthly listeners worldwide. We are dedicated to making everyday life more harmonious. Classical California enriches lives and communities through our innovative on-air and in-person music experiences, making it accessible, entertaining, and relevant for audiences of all ages. Our broadcasts reach across California through ten (10) radio transmitters, anchored in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Listeners can tune in through traditional radio, streaming on kusc.org and kdfc.com, smart speakers, and mobile apps. Classical California is licensed to the University of Southern California, one of the leading research universities in the nation, with a respected commitment to classical music, arts, and the community.
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