First Choral Tales Filmed

Dancers and Choreographer for "The Lord of the Cranes"
Choreographer and dancer Jingqiu Guan (front left), with dancers Mizuki Sako, Kelsey Manes, Kristianne Salcines and Kyra Sakamoto. They performed “Lord of the Cranes,” based on a folk tale from China.

Artists Building Capacity as World Citizens are delighted with the achievement of a significant milestone in the Choral Tales Project, the filming of the first three tales in the project.

Ludwig Tuman, the project’s founder and artistic director, wrote,
“We are excited to announce that on April 29, years of preparation bore fruit in a single, wonderful day when the first Choral Tales works were successfully filmed. It was a joy and privilege to engage and work with so many wonderful people, to see so much talent and experience all in one place! Musicians, choreographers, dancers, audio and film teams – some 60 artists in all – traveled from Long Beach and Los Angeles to Oxnard College to film the first Choral Tales pieces.

Chamber Choir of California State University, Long Beach, and Musicians
Dr. Jonathan Talberg (2nd row of choir, left) led the Chamber Choir of California State University, Long Beach, accompanied by percussionists Arthur Lin, Petra Elek and Bailey O’Donnell on African instruments.

Choral director, Dr. Jonathan Talberg, led the renowned Chamber Choir of California State University, Long Beach. The music was composed by Ludwig, based on text by collaborating poet and author, Shirin Sabri. Choreography was by Sherene Melania (previously filmed), Anindo Marshall, and Jingqui Guan. The pieces performed and filmed were “The Happy Man’s Shirt,” “The Cat’s Protector,” and “Lord of the Cranes” – based on folk tales from Scotland/UK, Tanzania, and China.”

Peforming and recording "The Cat's Protector"
Anindo Marshall choreographed “The Cat’s Protector,” based on a folk tale from Tanzania. Seen above, Nateli Ruiz and Shannon Grayson dance on stage with the choir.

The audio recordings and videos are now being edited and will be made available for viewing in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!Ludwig Tuman, the project’s founder and artistic director, wrote, “We are excited to announce that on April 29, years of preparation bore fruit in a single, wonderful day when the first Choral Tales works were successfully filmed. It was a joy and privilege to engage and work with so many wonderful people, to see so much talent and experience all in one place! Musicians, choreographers, dancers, audio and film teams – some 60 artists in all – traveled from Long Beach and Los Angeles to Oxnard College to film the first Choral Tales pieces.

Scene from "The Happy Man's Shirt"
Sherene Melania, Artistic Director of the Presidio Dance Theatre in San Francisco, choreographed “The Happy Man’s Shirt”. Seen above are Andrew Leathers as the Happy Man, and Edgar Lepe as the King. Filmed last year, this dance will now be combined with the filming of the choir singing the music.