‘Could be any boy:’ Matthew Shepard’s story was almost my story
Sean Baugh and the Turtle Creek Chorale will perform Considering Matthew Shepard at Cathedral of Hope on Nov. 2. (Courtesy photo) ‘Could be any boy’ SEAN MIKEL BAUGH | Turtle Creek Chorale Artistic Director “I am open. “To hear this story. “About an ordinary boy. “Who never expected his life would be a story. “Could be any boy.” —from Considering Matthew Shepard, Movement 3 Over the past few weeks, many of our Turtle Creek Chorale singers have been sharing the story of why the work, Considering Matthew Shepard, is important to them.
This is why I am singing the piece. It’s been a while since I’ve shared this story. Like many of you, I grew up gay in a very conservative environment — on a farm in the northeast corner of Oklahoma.
I lived on isolated farmland, but not too far removed from the sprawling metropolis of Tulsa. I grew up as a member of and active participant in a tiny little Baptist church.
I grew up not particularly realizing who I was — or what I was. I was, of course, intensively involved in music. I played piano at church for specials.
