In a captivating fusion of music and therapeutic exploration, Austin Cantorum is set to present a unique concert titled “Visionary” this Saturday at the First English Lutheran Church in Central Austin. The chamber choir, comprised largely of working adults, aims to provide a profound emotional experience through a carefully curated playlist inspired by psychedelic therapy.
Adrienne Pedrotti Bingamon, the artistic director of Austin Cantorum, was inspired by a story detailing a playlist used by patients undergoing psychedelic treatment for depression. This led her to conceptualize a concert that would revolve solely around the music from that playlist. “We specialize in creating unique emotional experiences with our concerts that actually go on a journey,” she explained, emphasizing how the psychedelic theme aligns perfectly with their artistic vision.
The playlist, developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine for participants in psilocybin studies, is nearly eight hours long—the approximate duration of a typical psychedelic experience. For the concert, Pedrotti Bingamon has skillfully condensed it into an engaging hour and 20 minutes.
During the performance, Holt Skinner, a tenor and alto in the choir, will assume the role of “trip adviser,” guiding the audience through this auditory journey. He shared his own experiences with ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety, noting that he listened to the same playlist during his treatments. “It was a great idea to have someone who has experienced this share insights on the various phases of the playlist,” Skinner said.
The concert is designed to mirror the phases of a psychedelic trip, beginning with soothing classical guitar music to help settle the audience and ease any apprehensions. Following this, the program transitions into the onset phase, where the effects of the music begin to intensify, culminating in a section where the sound becomes more unrestrained.
At the heart of the concert lies Samuel Barber’s “Agnus Dei,” a piece renowned for its emotional depth and often described as one of the saddest compositions. Pedrotti Bingamon remarked, “It’s like the unofficial mourning song of America,” while Skinner acknowledged the piece as the most challenging performed by the choir, designed to evoke a powerful emotional response.
As the intensity of the music builds, Pedrotti Bingamon anticipates creating an almost visceral experience, stating, “We’re gonna make the room sort of shudder with our sound.” This powerful moment will be followed by a grounding return to reality.
Prior to the concert, clinical psychologist Greg Fonzo, co-director of the Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at the University of Texas at Austin, will share insights on the integration of music within psychedelic therapy sessions. Fonzo highlighted the historical significance of music in indigenous psychedelic practices, noting its essential role in ceremonies involving ayahuasca and peyote.
The center has utilized its own playlist during dosing sessions, with varying results that have led some participants to report transformative insights. Fonzo emphasized the need to respect the power of these substances, clarifying that they should not be viewed as recreational drugs.
Pedrotti Bingamon expressed her belief in the healing potential of music, encouraging the audience to embrace the experience fully. “Just let the music take you where you’re gonna go and don’t fight it,” she advised. She hopes attendees will leave with a deeper emotional understanding and appreciation of psychedelics as a therapeutic tool.
Austin Cantorum is committed to not promoting drug use during the performance, though Pedrotti Bingamon humorously noted, “There is a fire station right over there just in case anybody chooses to do the wrong thing.”
