Considering Matthew Shepard, a new work by Craig Hella Johnson, will be preimiered in Austin, Pasadena, and Los Angeles Februrary 20 - 27, 2016. A modern oratorio, it's a response to the tragic death of a young man who has become an American icon and a symbol for hope and empowerment. Scored for chamber choir, piano, clarinet, strings, guitar and percussion the work sets a variety of rich texts  by Lesléa Newman, Hafiz, Hildegard von Bingen, Michael Dennis Browne, and others. The choir and ensemble will travel to Goshen, IN where they will record the work with Harmonia Mundi for a Fall 2016 CD release. For tickets and more information visit Conspirare.org.