Creation premiere at University of Minnesota

Creation by Jocelyn Hagen is an immersive, transcendent experience that invites audiences to reflect on the interconnectedness of life, light, and love, reimagining the story of existence through a feminine lens.

An oratorio in three parts, Creation is a celebration of beauty, creativity, and the profound act of bringing life into the world. Scored for Treble Choir and wind ensemble—this work blends music, poetry, and visuals to craft a deeply moving artistic experience.

The libretto is woven from the words of eight women poets, exploring themes of the universe’s birth, the formation of life on Earth, motherhood, and the power of community. Among these texts are two newly commissioned poems by Gretchen Ernster Henderson, including “Another Word for Love is Light.”

Creation is dedicated to Cecilia Payne, the pioneering scientist who discovered the composition of the universe, embodying the work’s themes of knowledge, wonder, and humanity.

University Wind Ensemble, University Treble Chorus, and Minnesota Chorale
Emily Threinen, Betsy McCann, and Kathy Romey, conductors