The Elsewhere Ensemble presents Invocation: A Prayer for Peace in Review
Elsewhere Ensemble: Colin Pip Dixon, violin; Arnaud Ghillebaert, viola; Kathryn Brunhaver, cello
Camille Ortiz, soprano; Kenneth Overton, baritone
All Angels Church, New York, NY
September 11, 2026
On September 11th, the Elsewhere Ensemble (Colin Pip Dixon, violin, Arnaud Ghillebaert, viola, Kathryn Brunhaver, cello) presented a program entitled Invocation. Billed as“a concert on the themes of peace, violence, and faith, for soprano, baritone, and string trio composed by Colin Pip Dixon,” it was also stated to “honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11/2001.” Soprano Camille Ortiz and baritone Kenneth Overton were the featured vocalists. This is my second time reviewing this ensemble. Interested readers can read about the previous concert by following this link: The Elsewhere Ensemble presents Icarus Quartet in Review .
Invocation is a 90-minute song cycle in three parts- Longing (texts by Báyò Akómoláfé, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Ukraine, and Albert Einstein), No More (texts by Etty Hillesum, Frederick Douglass, and St. Francis of Assisi), and Only Light (texts by Rabia Terri Harris, Captain Paul Watson, Rolf Jacobsen, Chandodogya Upanishad, Shantideva, Rumi, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). Each section also includes an instrumental interlude. The printed texts were provided for the listener.
Colin Pip Dixon is obviously passionate about peace, social and environmental justice themes, and the texts he set reflect those ideals. To be sure, this type of work is not for everyone, but the audience was clearly in agreement with these ideals and rewarded the Elsewhere Ensemble and the singers with an eager reception.
Some general observations about Invocation. There is an abundance of recitativo, which is good for projecting an urgency and immediacy of impact, but it also was in danger of becoming monotonous and giving one the feeling of “being lectured.” I’m sure this was a deliberate stylistic choice, but I am of the opinion that a less “straight ahead” approach would have not lessened the impact of the texts. The string accompaniment was most effective when it was expressing anger, with strident, angular declarations. The more “serene” sections seemed at times to be reminiscent of movie soundtrack music- nothing wrong with that per se, but it felt more calculated than organic.
Soprano Camille Ortiz reinforced the favorite impression made on this listener from the prior review. She projects with clarity and not a hint of harshness or struggle in the upper register. Her highlight was Instrument of Peace (text by St. Francis of Assisi), in which her vocal control, especially in the nearly silent finish, was breathtaking. This was true artistry! Baritone Kenneth Overton was outstanding. He has a strong voice and his diction was so clear that there was no real need to reference the printed text. He projected an unmistakable regal quality that added weight to the texts. His highlight was Love Hate (text by Martin Luther King Jr.), which also was this listener’s favorite selection of the evening.
Let’s not forget the Elsewhere Ensemble. Colin Pip Dixon, Arnaud Ghillebaert, and Kathryn Brunhaver are all exceptional musicians. Their ensemble is excellent, and each player also showed refinement in solo passages. They never overshadowed the singers, but they also never were dominated or pushed to the background, a balance that is not always easy to strike. I would like to hear this ensemble play some of the more standard repertoire, as I do recall finding their Dvořák encore from the prior concert to have been a highlight.
After the last notes, the audience gave the performers a very enthusiastic ovation. If you are one who is passionate about social issues and music alike, you will find much to like about the Elsewhere Ensemble.
