About the Oratorio
This sacred Oratorio is an exploration of the human journey and the possibility of healing and transformation. The music of this Oratorio is deeply spiritual, recognizing and celebrating the inextricable connection of humanity by a power greater than all of us. A power grounded in Love and compassion.
The call to compose this sacred oratorio followed the Columbine massacre on April 20, 1999. The call, or invitation, occurred at a gathering of people who were exploring the creation of community as Professor Mary Elizabeth Moore (Claremont School of Theology, now Boston University School of Theology) read a poem she had written entitled "Come to the Table." The invitation to write turned into a 23+- year journey of learning, self-discovery, and personal transformation. More importantly, Journey of the heart follows a universal path of healing and transformation that is part of our collective human journey at this time.
About the Composer
Keith A Ferguson is an engineer by formal training and a composer and singer by avocation. He began playing the piano at age six, and singing in advanced music groups beginning in junior high school.
Since 2009, he has performed as a tenor with the premier Denver choral ensemble Kantorei. Ferguson began writing and arranging music as a teen, and his compositional voice formed through participation in advanced classical and contemporary music groups, including the University Singers at University of Colorado, Boulder under the direction of Dr. Charles Byers; the Colorado Vocal Jazz Society, which he directed for nine years and with whom he produced two professional recordings; Bridges Music Ministry under the direction of Dr. William Skoog; St. Andrew UMC Men's Quartet, which he directed for 15 years; and Kantorei, with whom he still performs under the direction of Joel Rinsema.
During his time with Kantorei, Ferguson has actively supported and engaged with compositional commission by Kim Andre Arneson, Ola Gjeilo, Jake Runestad, and Jocelyn Hagen. Ferguson's composition is inspired by the work of these composers, as well as well-known classical composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Claude Debussy, George Frideric Handel, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Morten Lauridsen, and Eric Whitacre.
©Journey of the Heart 2023