The Elsewhere Ensemble will premiere “Invocation – a prayer for peace” starring Kenneth Overton and Camille Ortiz.

The world premiere is set for March 3 and 5 at the Aasen-Hull Hall at the University of Oregon while a latter performance on March 7 will take place at The Old Church Hall in Portland.

Joining Overton and Ortiz will be violinist Colin Pip Dixon, violist Dr. Arnaud Ghillebaert, and cellist Dr. Kathryn Brunhaver.

Per an official press statement, “’Invocation’ doesn’t seek to explain or preach, but rather to offer an original music experience, a moment of contemplation spent together in “silence” around one of the most urgent questions of our times: do our beliefs drive us further into violence or lead us towards deeper peace and reconciliation? The music brings to life texts from 8th century BCE to the present; Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu prayers are sung alongside writings by poets, a scientist, an environmental activist and civil rights leaders.”

The music will feature texts by Frederick Douglas, Albert Einstein, Etty HiIlesum, Shantideva, St. Francis of Assisi, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Captain Paul Watson, Rabia Terri Harris, Jalalludin Rumi, Bayo Akomolofe, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and Chandogya Upanishad.