The Slaying of Innocence

PI: André de Quadros, EdD, Professor, Music Education, College of Fine Arts

photo of André de Quadros — André de Quadros

photo of Momolu Stewart — Momolu Stewart

The Slaying of Innocence is a music-theatre work that portrays the true stories of two African American men who were given life sentences in prison at the ages of 15 and 16. Their fights to overthrow their convictions, and their challenges returning to society decades later are vividly told through gripping poetry and explosive and provocative rap. Fusing storytelling, music, and visual art, this project creates a compelling artistic testimony about America’s broken and racialized justice system. The project is led by Dr. André de Quadros, Halim Flowers, Momolu Stewart, Ted Hearne, Charlotte Brathwaite, Beth Morrison Projects, in collaboration with VOICES 21C, Trinity Wall Street, LA Opera, Arts Emerson, and The Kennedy Center.

Performance photo with Halim Flowers — Halim Flowers performs with VOICES 21C under the direction of André de Quadros, in March, 2020 at the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Division Conference, Rochester, NY (Program theme: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest).

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