Invitation to a Die-In
When witness becomes remembrance.
Damian Norfleet sings, INVITATION TO A DIE-IN with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Kenneth Kielser, Conductor.
Who will be a witness for my Lord?
Who will be a witness for my Lord?
Who will be a witness for my Lord?
Oh, I will be a witness for my Lord.
About
Music and Concept by Nkeiru Okoye
Text by David Cote
Duration: Approximately 12 minutes
Forces: Baritone and orchestra
Genres: Sung story, monodrama, theatrical concert work
Themes: racial violence, justice, accountability, grief, memory, witness, community, resilience
Summary: Written in response to the deaths of unarmed Black men at the hands of police officers and vigilantes, Invitation to a Die-In is a sung story, monodrama, and performance-art work for baritone and orchestra. Through a single performer, multiple perspectives emerge: the deceased, family members, police officers, and members of the community. Drawing upon spirituals, blues, gospel, and jazz traditions, the work culminates in a staged die-in involving both soloist and orchestra, transforming remembrance into collective action and witness.
Commission: Commissioned by Ng Tian Hui and the Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra in memory of Trayvon Martin.
Story
An unarmed African American man reflects upon the circumstances surrounding his death. As memory, testimony, and public discourse collide, a single performer shifts among the voices of victim, family, police, and witness. Moments of fear, grief, anger, and longing accumulate into a portrait of a community wrestling with loss and accountability. Throughout the work, echoes of the spiritual "Witness" serve as a recurring call to remembrance and responsibility.
As the drama unfolds, the orchestra moves beyond its traditional role as accompaniment and becomes part of the action itself. In the culminating moments, musicians join the baritone in forming a die-in, transforming the concert hall into a space of collective witness, mourning, and reflection. The boundary between performance and public ritual dissolves as personal tragedy becomes communal remembrance.
Audience Engagement
Content Advisory: This work addresses racial violence and the deaths of unarmed Black men and may be emotionally challenging for some audiences.
Recommended: Post-performance dialogue, artist talks, or community discussions can provide meaningful opportunities for reflection and conversation about the themes explored in the work
Media
Selected performances showcase the work's versatility. Adaptable to a wide range of venues and budgets, it can be presented fully staged or in concert form.
