Castle of our Skins presents a family friendly, music-dance-spoken word performance that shines the light on Black artistry as part of Rockport Music’s Education and Community Engagement series. Solo and chamber works by legendary Black composers like Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Undine Smith Moore complement the sounds of contemporary voices like Jessie Montgomery and Kendrick Lamar, all while mingling with spoken word and contemporary and balletic dance performances.

Castle of our Skins is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present.  The name “Castle of our Skins” comes from the celebrated poet Nikki Giovanni’s poem for nina. The poem beautifully captures the sense of adoration and celebration for the very fabric that makes us who we are: our skin.

Castle of our Skins is deeply aware of the lack of equity in composer representation on concert stages and the omission of important stories and figures in Black history. It is this lack of equity that they seek to change. Through carefully designed educational workshops and creative concert programs, they aim to highlight the achievements of Black artists and historical figures. The group’s intergenerational and interdisciplinary concerts range in themes from Black love, African American quilting and Black Feminism to freedom, civil rights, visual arts and Black excellence.

PROGRAM
Undine Smith Moore: Love Let the Wind Cry…How I Adore Thee
Jessie Montgomery: Source Code
Zenobia Powell Perry: Homage
Coleridge Taylor-Perkinson: Calvary Ostinato
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Five Negro Melodies
Poem (We Shine Bright)
Allison Loggins-Hull: Shine