5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2021
Our 20th Annual “A World of Song” will be conducted by guest clinician Tesfa Wondemagegnehu, St. Olaf College. Choral students from all five Klein ISD high schools will participate: Klein High, Klein Cain, Klein Collins, Klein Forest, and Klein Oak.
About our guest conductor…
With a love of music as big as his last name, Tesfa Wondemagegnehu has been sharing joy and a vision for equity and justice through song for many years. Through a triumvirate of teaching, conducting, and performing, he has found a way to transform both students and audiences and to reach those seeking resolutions of peace, equality, and respect … through music.
Tesfa Wondemagegnehu serves as the conductor of the Viking Chorus and the Chapel Choir at St. Olaf College. He also served as the guest artistic director of one of North America’s Largest LGBTQ+ choirs, Minnesota’s One Voice Mixed Chorus. Tesfa maintains an active voice studio and teaches Music & Social Justice with the goal of helping bridge the gap of social injustice through music, dialogue, and inspiring participants to take action in their communities. Wondemagegnehu previously served as the Director of Choral Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis, where he co-founded the Justice Choir movement with noted composer Abbie Betinis. In the summer of 2018, Tesfa served as guest conductor of the children’s choir at the Aspen Music Festival, leading them in a week-long journey on the Justice Choir Songbook. In 2019, Wondemagegnehu was named artist-in-residence for the Harvard University Glee Club where they co-created and executed the truth-telling W.E.B. DuBois Musical Project. And most recently, American Public Media’s Julie Amacher and Tesfa collaborated on several nationally-distributed radio programs on Black Music.
Born and raised in Memphis, with an impressive collection of opinions on barbecue, Tesfa learned early on from one of his mentors that “Excellence is never an accident.” And, consequently, he has not left much to chance. Through the love and dedication of music teachers with whom he has studied, and an abundance of grit and determination, Tesfa has risen to be one of the most sought-after conductors and educators in the country and is on the cutting edge of music-related social justice movements throughout the United States.
Performance Location: The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Dr., Spring 77379
Date & Time: 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2021
Tickets: $12 Adult, $10 Senior, $8 Child/Student, $8/person Groups of 6 or more
Single Ticket Sales: 9am, Monday, August 2, 2021