Freedom, Unfinished

The Austin Gay Men’s Chorus is deeply proud to present “Freedom Unfinished: From Reckoning to Joy”, a bold and moving exploration of freedom, its ideals, its complexities, and its ongoing story in American life.

At the center of this program is a remarkable musical conversation between two composers named Thompson, separated by seven decades. Selections from Randall Thompson’s Testament of Freedom (1943), inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s writings, are interwoven with movements from Joel Thompson’s Seven Last Words of the Unarmed (2015), offering contrasting perspectives on liberty, justice, and lived experience.

As an LGBTQ+ chorus, we understand freedom as something both deeply personal and powerfully communal, the freedom to sing, to dance, to love, and to belong. That spirit carries through the entire program, which moves seamlessly from reflection to celebration through gospel, dance, and music that radiates hope and energy.

From the emotional lift of “Rise Up” to the anthemic joy of George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90,” the soulful resonance of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” this concert invites audiences to reflect, connect, and celebrate a vision of freedom that grows wider with every voice. Come join us for this powerful and moving event.