“From military marches to therapeutic music, humans have always relied on melody to steady them where words might fail. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the U.S.’s rich history of protest songs. Sung in every era of America history, these songs tell the country’s story as well as any textbook.

Featuring Grammy award-winning tenor Nicholas Phan, this program from Palaver Strings explores our country’s legacy of protest songs. The performance features traditional songs of protest and music inspired by social movements and historical events—including Nico Muhly’s Stranger, Akenya Seymour’s Fear the Lamb, and a new commission by Errollyn Wallen.

Spanning genres, eras, and movements, A Change is Gonna Come confronts our past and present, provokes conversation, and celebrates the act of protest as one of our most precious rights.”