Hello and Thank You for the Life, Peace & Justice activites…that you have supported and participated in over these past many years, especially here at St. Francis Parish at our January Celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which we are looking forward to again on Sunday, January 17th, 2027, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ann Arbor. We hope that you are doing well.
We are now writing to share with you the following announcement about the premiere of a musical work project/performance focused on “Sun Down Towns.” We hope you can make it and please encourage others to attend. Please spread the word!
Best,
- Samuel Waldron,
- Mohit Nagpal,
- Scott Wright,
- Stephen Berrey, Associate Professor of American Culture and History - Arthur F. Thurnau Professor - University of Michigan
"Don’t Let the Sun"
An Oratorio on Sundown Towns
Tuesday, November 17, 7:15 pm • Hill Auditorium
With a powerful libretto by the celebrated playwright Richard Wesley (Central Park Five) and a moving, genre-blending score by composer Theodore Wiprud, this new oratorio brings to life an essential but often hidden chapter of American history—while celebrating the strength of communities that have faced racial exclusion and worked toward healing and justice. Featuring U-M vocalists and instrumentalists, U-M Professor Eugene Rogers will conduct, with support from U-M Professor Louise Toppin.
This work is being done in consultation with the Sundown Towns Project, a public history project begun by James Loewen and being led by UM History and American Culture Professor Stephen Berrey. The evening will begin with a pre-performance talk.
Read more about the history of sundown towns here.
Theodore Wiprud composes music for orchestras, ensembles, and voice. He was Composer-in-Residence with the South Dakota Symphony in 2018-19, following 14 years as Vice President, Education, at the New York Philharmonic. As a consultant, Mr. Wiprud is active in the movement for equity and inclusion in the orchestra field. Mr. Wiprud holds degrees from Harvard and Boston Universities and has studied at the University of Cambridge.
Richard Wesley was born in Newark, NJ and graduated from Howard University. His plays include: "Black Terror," "Sirens," "The Mighty Gents," "The Talented Tenth," and "Autumn," and the libretti for four operas performed at Newark’s Trilogy Opera Company, and for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize winning "Central Park Five," composed by Anthony Davis. Mr. Wesley is currently an Associate Professor in the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and is married to the novelist, Valerie Wilson Wesley.
Eugene Rogers is at the vanguard of American musicians, recognized as a musical leader and teacher across North America and, increasingly, around the globes. Rogers is currently the director of university choirs at the University of Michigan and the artistic director of The Washington Chorus. Animated by a commitment to championing timely new works and elevating historically overlooked music, he regularly guest conducts elite ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra. His acclaimed work has earned him two Michigan Emmy Awards and a Grammy nomination.
"“Don’t Let the Sun” was commissioned with support from an Arts Initiative Project Support (AIPS) grant, an Arts Research: Incubation and Acceleration (ARIA) grant, and the U-M Brehm Choral Commissioning Fund.
Thank you for the generous support from our event sponsors: Center for Social Solutions, Center for World Performance Studies, Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Department of American Culture, Department of Film, Television, and Media, Department of History, Department of Political Science, Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies, Inclusive History Project, Institute for the Humanities, James W. Loewen Foundation, Latina/o Studies Program, Residential College, Women’s and Gender Studies Department
above: postcard from the 1940s showing a banner over the main street in a sundown town
Department of History, University of Michigan
1029 Tisch Hall, 435 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1003
ph: 734.764.6305 e: umhistory@umich.edu
Copyright 2026 The Regents of the University of Michigan
Privacy Statement | Non-discrimination Policy
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Stephen A. BerreyAssociate Professor of American Culture and HistoryArthur F. Thurnau ProfessorUniversity of Michigan3741 Haven HallAnn Arbor, MI 48109-1045
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MLK Day Dinner, Mass & Talk
With our sister parish Corpus Christi, Detroit
Sunday, January 17th, 2027, at St. Francis of Assisi
Mass at 5:00 pm, with Dinner & Talk to follow
https://www.stfrancisa2.org/mlk
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and welcome the choir members of our sister parish - Corpus Christi Parish, Detroit. All are welcome!
After Mass, the MLK Dinner & Talk is in the Assisi Center... See: https://www.stfrancisa2.org/mlk
Please help us plan enough food for everyone! RSVP here, or call Scott Wright at (734)821-2121. See: https://www.stfrancisa2.org/mlk
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Thank you!
Yours in Christ Jesus, and in the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God's Justice, Patience, Eucharist, and Enduring Tender Mercy,
Scott
Scott Wright, BSW, M.Div., Parish Outreach Ministry, (734-821-2121)
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ann Arbor
Jesus' Mercy Works!
