In CHORA, four musicians host an attempt at a restorative experience, for those who have been systematically humiliated, oppressed and excluded by other human beings. What do they actually need to feel comfortable with others, in a collective experience? We will search for accountability and responsibility, on a personal and global level, by hosting a series of intergenerational and intercontinental gatherings, carried by live music. 

The firestarters of these meetings are testimonies from millennials who witnessed recent world history up close, as children. They recall the One Child Policy, Apartheid, Truth & Reconciliation, state- and narco-violence in Middle and South America, the Iran-Iraq War, Change and Unification in East Germany, and the Bhopal gas tragedy in India. The millennials show us countless ways in which people stand up for each other, or fail to do so. 

Music is the safety net that makes this restorative experience possible. Listening to what is needed in each moment, four musicians ‘call the tunes’ from their own elaborate songbook that consists of pieces and tunes from Western popular music, Balkan folk, Indian classical music and live-electronics. 

Everyone present is invited to speak their mind, whenever it feels right and urgent to them.* The words of the audience will be transformed into polyphonic vocal music. The light design makes the invisible energy between people almost touchable. At all times, guests can decide to record their own voices to be shared with the world later on, as a response to the testimonies of the millennials. 

*Participation is voluntary

Resonate Productions creates musical journalism by combining in-depth journalism with music. Previous projects include FOR REAL (O. 2024): O. Lab: Instant Musical Journalism, Millennial History (O. 2022), While We Live (O. 2021) (Best Classical Music 2020, NRC). Curious about Resonate Productions’ podcasts? You can listen to them here.