The Cardinal and the Roller (CD)

Accompaniment - []

The Cardinal and the Roller captures the power of music to bridge worlds and connect to the shared humanity within us all. At its heart is the coming together of two ensembles: the Missouri State University Chorale under the direction of Dr. Cameron LaBarr and the University of Pretoria (TUKS) Camerata, under the direction of Dr. Michael Barrett, performing sixteen tracks, equally representing musical traditions from the United States and South Africa. Its title work, The Cardinal and the Roller, was composed specifically for this collaboration by Susan LaBarr, with text by Charles Anthony Silvestri. It tells the story of two birds, the American cardinal and the South African lilac-breasted roller—each commonplace within its own culture, yet remarkable and wondrous to those encountering it for the first time. Through this imagery, the text reflects on music’s profound capacity to foster empathy and unite communities. Ultimately, The Cardinal and the Roller encapsulates the spirit of this album. It reminds us that at the core of humanity lies a deep longing for connection, integrity, and purpose—to live meaningfully and in harmony with one another.