THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY PERFORMS BRUCE RUDDELL’S THE HEALING HEART OF THE FIRST PEOPLE OF THIS LAND AT FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT ON MARCH 7

THE CONCERT OPENS WITH A DOCUMENTARY SCREENING AND FEATURES THE FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK AT BENAROYA HALL SINCE ITS 2006 PREMIERE

Seattle, WA – On Friday, March 7, the Seattle Symphony will host a free Community Concert featuring a screening of the documentary The Healing Heart of Lushootseed followed by a special performance of Bruce Ruddell’s The Healing Heart of the First People of This Land. This marks the orchestra’s first performance of the symphony since its 2006 premiere at Benaroya Hall.

This powerful work was commissioned by the late Upper Skagit elder Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert shortly after the events of 9/11. Hilbert was inspired to act, believing that the language and culture of her ancestors held powerful healing properties. In the documentary, she shares how the spirit guided her to use music to help heal a wounded world: “Music is the one language that can be understood around the world.”

Hilbert, a highly respected language preservationist, dedicated her life to saving and revitalizing the Lushootseed language. Her work continues through her granddaughter, Jill LaPointe, Director of Lushootseed Research, the nonprofit Hilbert founded in 1983. The symphony is part of Hilbert’s lifelong mission to share Indigenous culture and language with the world.

“We are delighted to partner with Seattle Symphony to share this gift from our culture, The Healing Heart of the First People of This Land,” said LaPointe. “It was my grandmother Vi Hilbert’s vision to bring healing and compassion to the world. In her words, ‘The music will do its job.’”

The March 7 performance will feature Seattle Symphony Associate Conductor Sunny Xia, joined by soloist and Indigenous soprano Tsi sʔuyuʔaɫ Adia Bowen, and opens with a blessing song by Johnny Moses. Traditional Native instruments commissioned for symphonic performances of Healing Heart, including hand drums, a raven rattle and a bear rattle, will be used as part of the performance.

Prior to the concert in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby, Indigenous author Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe will give a book reading, with Third Place Books offering a selection of her works alongside other books on the Lushootseed language and Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert. The Lobby will also feature visual displays on the history of the Lushootseed language and a video archive of Hilbert’s storytelling in Lushootseed. Additionally, community partners such as Lushootseed Research and others will have informational tables.

Ticket Information  

RSVPs requested for this free concert; walk-ups are also welcome. For more information on RSVPs, visit seattlesymphony.org or contact the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office. The Seattle Symphony Ticket Office is located in Benaroya Hall, at Third Avenue and Union Street. The Ticket Office can be reached by phone at 206.215.4747 during the following times: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SUNNY XIA | CONDUCTOR

Recognized for her innate musicality, compelling presence and technical precision, conductor Sunny Xia’s ability to forge an immediate and captivating connection with orchestras and audiences alike has led to engagements around the globe. Xia began her position as the Assistant Conductor of the Seattle Symphony in September 2022 and has served as the Douglas F. King Associate Conductor since the start of the 2023/2024 season. Recent highlights include the world premiere of Composer-in-Residence, Angelique Poteat’s Dear Humanity for Youth Chorus and Orchestra, a work that harnesses the power of 50 voices and full orchestra to confront climate change. A dynamic advocate for contemporary music, Xia has additionally led the Seattle Symphony in works by Samuel Adams, Quinn Mason, Gabriela Ortiz, Gabriella Smith, Jerod Tate, and Tan Dun. Recent and upcoming engagements include the San Diego Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Olympia Symphony, and Chandler Opera Theater.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY

The Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has won five Grammy Awards, 27 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts, and through the Seattle Symphony+ streaming service, the orchestra’s concerts reach audiences at home and around the world.

BENAROYA HALL

Benaroya Hall, the home of the Seattle Symphony, is located in downtown Seattle and surrounded by numerous restaurants, retail stores and parking facilities. Opened in 1998, Benaroya Hall is the most-visited performing arts venue in Seattle. It has received numerous awards, including a 2001 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Honor Award for outstanding architecture. Benaroya Hall has three versatile performance venues, the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall and Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center, all renowned for their pristine acoustics, luxurious design and prime location. For additional information, including rental information, event listings and public tour schedules, please visit benaroyahall.org.  

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THE HEALING HEART OF THE FIRST PEOPLE OF THIS LAND

COMMUNITY CONCERTS
Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m.
S. Mark Taper Auditorium, Benaroya Hall

Sunny Xia conductor
Tsi sʔuyuʔaɫ Adia Bowen soprano
Seattle Symphony

The Healing Heart of Lushootseed documentary screening
Bruce Ruddell The Healing Heart of the First People of This Land

Sunny Xia’s position is generously underwritten as the Douglas F. King Associate Conductor.
The Arakawa Foundation proudly supports the Seattle Symphony’s Community Partnerships for Youth and Education. Additional support is provided by Delta Air Lines.
The Seattle Symphony’s Family, School & Community programs are supported by 4Culture, Marco Argenti, ArtsFund, the Merriman-Ross Family, the National Endowment for the Arts, and individual contributions to the Seattle Symphony Annual Fund.