Lowak Shoppala' (Fire and Light)

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Nashville String Machine
Jerod Impichcha̱achaaha' Tate, Conductor
Chickasaw Nation Children's Chorus and Dance Troupe
Vocal Soloists: Stephen Clark, Chelsea Owen, Meghan Vera Starling
Narrators: Lynne Moroney, Wes Studi, Richard Ray Whitman

Tate has clearly taken the Western musical tradition and found a compelling voice that integrates his native culture.

Sequenza 21

Lowak Shoppala' (Fire and Light) is a work that expresses Chickasaw identity through the medium of modern classical music and theatre. The work is in eight scenes and features orchestra, narration, children's chorus, traditional Chickasaw and modern dancers, traditional Chickasaw and classical vocal soloists and Chickasaw storytellers. Each scene depicts a part of Chickasaw culture and history:

• Scene 1: Fire and Light
• Scene 2: Double Header
• Scene 3: Shell Shaker
• Scene 4: Clans
• Scene 5: Removal
• Scene 6: Spider Brings Fire
• Scene 7: Hymn
• Scene 8: Double Header & Finale

Lowak Shoppala’ was conceived, designed and composed by Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate and premiered Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Te Ata Theatre, East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma with Mr. Tate conducting the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra.