ABYA YALA

Multilingual choral suite

“Abya Yala,” meaning “Continent of Life” or “Land in Full Maturity,” which is the indigenous name for the Americas. This powerful work features poetry by Elicura Chihuailaf Nahuelpán (Mapudungun), Estela Gamero López (Aymara), Julieta Zurita Cavero (Quechua), Rosa Chávez (Maya K’iche’), and Gustavo Zapoteco Sideño (Nahuatl). It was commissioned in 2022 by Resonance Ensemble, led by Katherine FitzGibbon, and the Northwest American Choral Directors Association.

The suite’s primary aim is to vindicate historically discriminated languages and communities through its beautiful and powerful bilingual poems. The chosen texts emphasize the profound presence of ancestors, a deep love for the land (“Pachamama”), and a vital call to preserve indigenous languages and cultures for future generations. The work is designed to be accompanied by a Latin American Ensemble and the Jubilate Singers.

The composer, Freddy Vilches Meneses, is originally from Santiago, Chile, and is based in Portland, OR. He is a highly accomplished composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and educator, holding a PhD in Romance Languages from the University of Oregon, specializing in Latin American Literature. He is also an Associate Professor at Lewis & Clark College.The Jubilate Singers’ mission is to celebrate the rich diversity of choral traditions from Canada and around the world. We learn and perform the music of other cultures in a spirit of respect, sincerity, and enjoyment, advancing the knowledge and cultural understanding of our members and audiences.

We are a welcoming, inclusive chamber choir dedicated to building community among our members, supporting their development in the pursuit of musical excellence, and enriching the communities in which we live.