Man Up / Man Down
Man Up / Man Down
Artists: Constellation Men’s Ensemble
Composers: Jeffrey Derus, Robert Maggio, david lang
Format: 1 CD & 1 Blu-ray audio disc
DSL-92266
Constellation has been in existence since 2013 and yet, 10 years later, this is our first album to be released. Part of that was simply our longstanding focus on “Music & Brotherhood” that began with Saturday morning rehearsals followed by a “cheers!” in Evanston, IL. Another part of that has been the uphill battle to create, sustain, and grow an arts organization in America today.
But the biggest focus for me has always been the “why” of all of our performances. What place does another vocal ensemble have in the recorded history of music to release albums unless it has something to say? With the creation of Man Up / Man Down, I knew we had something important to add to the conversation.
The album features Robert Maggio’s large-scale work of the same name, Man Up / Man Down, which explores masculinity in America through multiple lenses, including anonymously sourced responses from prompts about pride, parenting, our past, and more. The album begins with Jeffrey Derus’ HOME, depicting a mother rocking her child to sleep and the world that constantly tries to invade our innermost peace. It ends with david lang’s manifesto and after a journey of such intense introspection regarding societal norms of masculinity, simply wanting “to be with someone who gets me” is such a perfect close.
Thank you for trusting us with your ears and your minds.
– Ryan Townsend Strand, executive director & tenor
HOME - Jeffrey Derus (b. 1990)
Man Up / Man Down - Robert Maggio (b. 1964)
1. Skate Park Guy 1
2. All The Silences
3. Interlude I: Manhood in the 21st Century
4. Skate Park Guy 2
5. Jet
6. Interlude II: Refrains & Misconceptions
7. Skate Park Guy 3
8. Flower Beds
9. Interlude III: A life just like their fathers’
10. Skate Park Guy 4
11. West Point
manifesto - david lang (b. 1957)
Total time: 37:58
Release date: April 28, 2023
UPC: 053479226600
“Man Up / Man Down is sure to be some of the most important new choral work you’ll hear this year - we’re incredibly excited to release this with Constellation Men’s Ensemble.”
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Quotes & Reviews
“the quite bitterly sardonic repertoire has Promethean connotations and therein lies the ingenuity of the whole project. Not least, of course, is that the Constellation Men’s Ensemble is a truly fine all-male a cappella group, unafraid to allow the power of their voices to expose the myth of masculine power…” - Raul da Gama, The Whole Note
“ Constellation's impeccable blend and intonation brings out a resonant beauty for the duration of the album, and are becoming a prominent force within the new music vocal community.” - Brutal New Music
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