R E A P Conference on Negro Spirituals-Denver, CO
Getting ready to attend a conference on Negro spirituals at the University of Denver. Scheduled to present a lecture-recital on using dialect in performance of spirituals. Information about the conference is at http://spiritualsproject.org/reap/. Planning to take advantage of the opportunity to see parts of the U.S. I’ve not seen up close before (flying over them doesn’t count). RB and I–with my mother along for the ride–are getting set to see the sites. I will post pictures and details as they become available.
Grotto of the Redemption (West Bend)
I drove RB the 182 miles to West Bend, Iowa, accompanied by my mother. We toured the Grotto of the Redemption. The weather was gorgeous, and because we’d stayed in the nearby motel the night before, we had no difficulty getting there in time for the earliest tour time, avoiding the heat of the day and the crowds. As suggested by the name, the Grotto of the Redemption portrays the life of Christ through various tableaux. The tour guide gave us extensive details about the priests who created the Grotto, the rocks and materials gathered from around the world and used to construct the site, and story told in each scene. Far more information about the Grotto is available at http://www.westbendgrotto.com/. Even as I took as many pictures of the Grotto as I could, I knew they would not come close to capturing the beauty and depth of detail. The complete…
Texas, Texas, Here I Come!
Left a couple of hours later than I’d planned, but made very good time driving my rented ride to Dallas. My roomie is Sarah, a former colleague from my days cataloging music at Florida State University. Not much going on since the conference doesn’t begin until Thursday morning. Going to see if I can get some sleep. More tomorrow.
A Day of “Rest”
So, I’ve got today to get caught up with the work left on my desk in my absence, pick up the car I’m renting for the trip (RB really doesn’t need the added wear and tear), update my GPS, re-edit my music playlists, do laundry and pack for the trip. This is how I’m defining my “rest day.” Mapquest routing of the drive to Dallas: http://www.mapquest.com/embed?hk=yZ0Dem Why drive rather than fly? I’ve never visited that part of the country except as layovers to somewhere else and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. Plus, I do enjoy driving while playing my music at an appreciable level. Gotta get at it. Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Headin’ Home
Left (mostly) sunny California early this morning and flew into Dallas–will be back in Dallas in two days, but that will be a new series of posts. Once again, my theory holds that the longer the layover, the closer the arrival and departure gates. In less than ten minutes, the airport skylift delivered me one gate away from my departure point, leaving me nearly three hours until my flight to Cedar Rapids. Upon arrival, it was clear that I would immediately need to put on the heavy winter coat I’d left in my car (along with my e-book reader, which I truly missed). Spent several minutes cleaning the freshly fallen snow off of the Red Barron. By then, it was getting dark, so I rode down the interstate at a leisurely 65 mph. Just as I approached my exit, I saw the flashing lights of the state police on the…
Day 4-Final Session
By the time we gathered for the final session on Sunday, a number of participants had already departed for home because of flight schedules. Too bad because they missed the most lively panel discussion of the entire program. Willis Patterson–after inviting everyone to acknowledge the extraordinary work of organizer Darryl Taylor–led discussion of spiritual art songs, with the audience engaging with the panelists on subjects like performance practice, solo and choral settings of spirituals, and the perspectives of the performer and the composer. After a brief break, we presented a concert of spirituals. For over two hours, the audience heard works from pioneer to contemporary composers sung by musicians of great vocal power and talent and a storyteller, all giving praise and raisin’ the roof. I didn’t get many pictures, but others are posting pictures on the AAASA Facebook group page. The one picture I’m posting is of mezzo-soprano Bonita…
AAASA Conference Day 2-3
Friday and Saturday were packed with lectures and performances. Rather than going to a lot of detail, I’m making the program available music.arts.uci.edu/sites/default/files/music_images/pdfs/2012.Programs.Master.pdf. I’ve attached a number of pictures of presenters. It has been wonderful to meet many of the names I’ve encountered over Facebook and via email. Rehearsed with the pianist who will accompany me at tomorrow’s spirituals concert. We are performing Margaret Bonds’ Five Creek-Freedmen Spirituals. While part of the cycle has been published over the last several years, the cycle hasn’t been available in its entirety since first published in 1946. Leaving the concert of music by Robert Owens Saturday afternoon, my hotel roomie and I stepped on the hotel shuttle to find the group onboard sitting stunned and frantically searching their handheld wireless resources to learn more about the announced death of Whitney Houston. It has overshadowed everything, taking over news reports.
California, Here I’ve Come!
Believe it or not, I managed to pack and get on the road pretty much on time. Even got my hair and nails done in Iowa City before the final mad dash to the airport in Cedar Rapids. Of course, the downside to rushing like that is I always forget something. The casualty this trip (so far) was my e-book reader, which is setting in my car at the airport. Anyway, flew into Dallas. Was so hoping that I’d get to see Dallas Stadium (did I mention I’m a *BIG* Cowboys fan?) but missed it both coming and going. That’s okay, though. I’m driving to Dallas next week and already have a ticket to tour the stadium after that conference is over. Got to Santa Ana at 10:30 p.m. (hey, my body says it was 12:30 a.m.), so I missed the opening meet and greet. Saw some pictures posted on…
Countdown to California
Good grief!! I’m scheduled to leave for the conference in a few hours and can’t sleep. Nothing’s packed, nothing’s organized. Lying here surfing the Web. Will lie here a little longer, then will probably just give up on the notion of sleep. Got the electronic version of the conference program. A lot is scheduled. Looking forward to meeting, networking, learning, and performing.
Prep Begins
Not posted in a while since all of my performances have been in Iowa. However, preparations are underway for a journey to a conference in California next month. Singers are gathering to perform and discuss art song written by African American composers. I’ve contributed an extensive bibliography on spirituals for the conference program and am scheduled to sing in a concert of spirituals to close out the conference. Flying in, but there should be lots of opportunities to take pictures, and I’m planning to post about the activities. More to come.