"And Death Shall Have No Dominion" is a participatory singing event for a synchronized headphone choir in honor of Dylan Thomas’s famous poem. Using this app -- which contains the accompaniment and synchronizes the groups mobile devices -- participants set-off along 45-minute walking routes through lower Manhattan, singing the words of the renowned poet across the landscape of his final days.
The performers begin their walk individually on June 21 at 11:00 am, singing just one part. Little by little, as routes converge, the song is revealed in its fullness until eventually, everyone assembles together for a grand choral finale outside of Poets House in Rockefeller Park. Participants are invited to reflect on Thomas’s words that famously declare triumph over death in the context of their own personal journey. Anyone can take part -- it is unnecessary to read music or to have sung in a choir previously.
This piece was conceived and composed by Pete M Wyer; the premiere performance on June 21, 2014 is co-presented by Make Music New York, LMCC, and Poets House in association with American Opera Projects. It is part of the River to River 2014 Festival and the Make Music New York 2014 festival. More details are available at makemusicny.org/wyer.
After June 21, singers may organize further performances of the piece by agreeing on a starting time in advance, and entering it using the apps "Rehearse" button.