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Ryan Vine, CSS assistant professor of English, was commissioned to write two poems on the theme Sanctuary for the Sanctuary Project. Vine collaborated with Lunatics At Large throughout the spring 2011 and read his works at the Sanctuary Project performances in March and April 2011, highlighted by a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The opening performance of the Sanctuary Project, featuring five 10-minute chamber works and ten poems, was performed at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on March 21, 2011. Several other performances are scheduled in actual sanctuaries of churches and synagogues in New York City. Participating composers include: Andre Bregegere, Mohammed Fairouz, Raphael Fusco, Laura Koplewitz, Alex Shapiro. Participating poets include: Robert Buchert, Joanna Fuhrman, David Shapiro, Yerra Sugarman, Ryan Vine.

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World Premiere works included:

"Sanctuary" by André Brégégère (b. 1975)
Poetry by Yerra Sugarman
This piece explores the vivid imagery of Sugarman's poem and her vision of 'Sanctuary' as a repository for the past, embarking the listener on a musical journey through the intricate landscape of our collective memory.

"Unwritten" by Mohammed Fairouz (b. 1985)
Poetry by David Shapiro
Acclaimed composer for the voice Mohammed Fairouz's latest cycle chronicles the last days and demise of Socrates "the greatest man who ever lived."

"Solicited Advice: Four Rules of Your Pal, Ward" by Raphael Fusco (b. 1984)
Poetry by Ryan Vine
Fusco's setting of Vine's "Ward's Rules" explores the therapeutic powers of laughter and advice whether it is solicited or not.

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"The Wondering Wayside" by Laura Koplewitz (b. 1966)
Poetry by Joanna Fuhrman, David Shapiro, Yerra Sugarman & Ryan Vine
In "The Wondering Wayside," a traveler asks questions of gods and angels, on a journey from desert, to mountains, temple, and across waves, in an impressionistic exploration of a 2lst century pilgrim's progress.

"Unabashedly More" by Alex Shapiro (b. 1962)
Poetry by Rob Buchert
Each expressive note in Shapiro's "Unabashedly More" creates a sanctuary for the listener; a safe place in which to experience an emotional journey from lyrically pensive to explosively joyous.

The poems were read by the poets in between the performance of the chamber pieces. Three of the five commissioned chamber pieces (Fairouz, Fusco, and Koplewitz) include a vocal line--poetry from the participating poets set to music. Some of these poems are new (commissioned for this project), some older works.