"ORGAN-IZING" DIVERSITY

East Lake United Methodist Church gave an organ concert as part of its East Lake in the Afternoon series. From a previous post I wrote about having a vendor's booth for the first time during their East Lake Farmer's Market season as well as being a consumer of their fresh produce. This is a  church that  didn't leave when the community began "to change," or "became more urbanized.." You can read between the lines on what that means. On their church marquee and on tee shirts worn by many of the members is written:

 In the neighborhood for good

I suppose that is why the concert was titled "Organ-izing Diversity".  Below is a copy of the program.

Overlook the written notations in the margin of the program. It was just a note to self .

I'd been told that there wouldn't be the standard long hair classical music but a mixture of it with modern music..  The musician in residence Dr. John Schwandt is an associate professor and Director of the American Organ Institute at the University of Oklahoma School of Music.  I won't go into all of his credentials but they were impressive.  The talent he portrayed on the pipe organ was mesmerizing.

Not only did I want to attend the concert but I reaaaaalllly wanted to see what the inside of the church looked like. It has been there for 125 years. I enjoy viewing architecture and somehow knew it would be beautiful inside. Imagine a medieval castle or english tudor.  It has gothic archways of stone. The sanctuary has exposed beams and very high ceilings. I didn't get to see the entire church but there a lot of nooks and crannies.  I suggested that perhaps they should do a tour as a fund raiser. I most certainly would attend.

I'm still honing my video skills. I listened to this video so many times  while trying to edit it, I had an ear worm.  The song was stuck in my head for 2 days. I still haven't gotten it just right but as far as I'm concerned it's good enough.

You'll hear someone humming at the beginning. It isn't me. It's a lady that sat next to me. I have no idea what she was humming and I don't think she did either.

THAT'S IT***

EMBELLISHMENTS

 Embellishments performed a handbell concert at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

 

Andromeda was accompanied by a Power Point Presentation of nebulas, galaxies, and other space scenes taken with the Hubble telescope.

We were told by the Directress, Phyllis Kirk that the composer of Le Carnaval Des Animaux, Camille Saint-Saens, would only allow The Swan to be played in public during his lifetime. He stated that other pieces of the collection were only to be played upon his death. Other songs in the collection include The Kangaroo which was done haltingly symbolizing the hopping and stopping of a kangaroo. Elephant was another part of the suite. Persons with Long Ears brought to mind a rabbit or hare but we were informed it was a donkey. A very small violin about twelve inches was used to represent the sound of the donkey. Imagine someone unable to play the violin stretching the bow slowly across the strings which gives a braying sound, The Turtle was also one of the animals. The sound of The Cuckoo in the Middle of the Woods was done with a recorder. It was amusing in that the musician played the same two notes over and over until the end of the piece

To hear the Duke’s music played with handbels was a treat in itself.  Don’t Get Around Much Anymore was lively and put a fresh spin on Duke Ellington’s well known composition.

Pavane is best known as a more modern tune, Stranger in Paradise.

Polovetsian Dance No. 1 was a slow version of the can can. As an encore the version was done more upbeat with a humorous surprise for the audience.

Amazing Grace was played on bagpipes by Trent Bradford  as the handbell ensemble accompanied him. Adorned in  authentic Scottish apparel the bagpiper added realism to his performance.

  As an encore the company did a “remix” of Polovetsian Dance No. 1 with an  upbeat can can tempo. Along with this two of the handbell members had donned black stockings on their arms which served as legs underneath a wide skirt, lifted and swung side to side in can can dance fashion. Peals of laughter erupted from the audience .



THAT'S IT ***

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church sponsors what is called Red Door Arts. According to its brochure, “The purpose of the group is to encourage creativity and arts appreciation in parishioners and friends through art workshops, lectures and performances, through an annual creativity weekend and through other special events throughout the year.”

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church These are a few shots of the inside of the church. The cozy, evening glow emitted through the windows was so relaxing.

It was a wonderful program lasting only one hour. The voices were clear and powerful. St. Andrews sanctuary is small but I was so impressed with the ability of these artists to sing without a microphone. They each came in from the back of the building singing a portion of Walk Together Children. The baritone was robust and full-bodied. The tenor engaged the audience with his fine musical qualities and enunciation of each word. The melodious soprano was hypnotizing exhibting her ability to reach upper ranges.

I enjoy exploring different types of music and societal differences. I feel it is important to learn about others so that we may understand each other better and perhaps someday have peace. It was refreshing to sit and drink from the fountain of culture.

The concert was held April 7th, at 6:30 p.m. A series of African- American Spirituals were performed by these talented musicians.

Terrance Brown is a baritone. Dr. Brown is a graduate of Samford University and Louisiana State University. He has performed in numerous operas portraying various characters. He has traveled extensively. Dr. Brown is Director of Vocal Studies at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama.

Kevin Thomas, tenor completed his music degree at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He has performed in countless opera and theatre presentations. He is a professional chorister at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham.

Tiffany Bostic-Brown, soprano has traveled through the USA and Europe. She is known as a concert artist, recitalist and operatic artist. She frequently performs in operas undertaking numerous characters. Dr. Bostic-Brown serves on the faculty at the University of Alabama in Florence, Alabama.

Jason Turner was the pianist. The Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey was the narrator.

To accompany each song a narrative was read . These narratives were a part of the Slave Narrative Collection. These are stories written in the 1930’s by the WPA as they were dictated to the scribe by people who had been slaves. There are over 2,000 interviews from former slaves on record. Each one allows the former slave to tell in their own words what life was like in bondage.

Jason Turner is presently the organist for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. He is an experienced musician who has served as Choirmaster and Organist for several churches. He is presently Director of Independent Presbyterian Church Day School in Birmingham,Alabama a highly respected educational facility in the city. He holds degrees in education and an associate degree in nursing.

Rev. Howell-Pankey is a musical artist, teacher, pastor and songwriter. Her music ministry career spans over 35 years. She has served in several churches as a spiritual leader. She presently pastors St. James CME in Jasper Alabama

THAT'S IT***