Reflecting on the Past...Reaching toward the Future, II

 

 

Hosted by Dr. Louise Toppin, Videmus, and The University of Michigan School of Music Theater and Dance

 

When: September 12 - 15, 2019

Where:  E.V. Moore Building (University of Michigan)

 

 

Register to Attend

  All conference events are FREE and open to the public

 

Hotel:  We have the Hampton Inn on north campus as our official hotel.  They will have a daily shuttle to take you to and from the conference site.  We do not provide transportation to and from the airport but will transport you once in Ann Arbor.

 

If calling for hotel reservations at 734-996-4444, the guest will need to request the group code "VDC" or identify under the group name "Videmus Conference." If booking online, the guest can use the following link. Please note, the last day to book the rate is Thursday, 8/8/19.


Booking Link: 
http://group.hamptoninn.com/VidemusConference
Hotel: Hampton Inn Ann Arbor-North
Group Name: Videmus Conference
Arrival Date: Thurs, 9/12/19
Departure Date: Sun, 9/15/19

Cancellation: 72 hours prior to arrival

Last day to book rate: Thurs, 08/08/19

 

This conference focuses on the curation of music of the African Diaspora for future research and performance.   Through a series of lectures, panels and performances by leading scholars, composers and performers, attendees will discuss rediscovered operas (Freeman, Perry, Boatner and White); have conversations on the newly created operas on African American themes; hear a workshop performance of Edmonia by William Banfield; discuss sociopolitical musical thought, and the 400 year suite (commemorating 400 years since the beginning of slavery); discuss innovations in art song curation; discuss institutional aspects of diverse faculty and student development; composer discussions about the creation and delivery of African American music; explore the work of composer/preachers; creating sustainable organizations for African American music; discuss the salon for building black musical thought and much more.  Featured presentations by Dr. Kyra Gaunt, Dr. Tammy Kernodle, Dr. Naomi Andr" and Dr. Mark Lomax lead an illustrious lineup of presenters and performers.  

 

Conference schedule:

 

Thursday,  September 12 

 

Opening concert and reception   7:00 pm (Stamps)

 

This opening concert of African American art song features winners in the George Shirley Vocal Competition and faculty performers such as Daniel Washington, Caroline Helton and Emery Stephens, accompanied by Kathryn Goodson. 

 

Friday, September 13 

 

Sessions          9-1 (Watkins)

 

            Lunch              1-2:30  (boxed lunch provided)

 

            Sessions          2:30-4  (Britton)

 

                                    4-6  (Watkins) 

 

            Dinner             6-7:30  (on your own)

 

            Concert           7:30-8 conversation with Willis Patterson (Britton)

 

8:00 concert of alumni performers presenting African American instrumental and vocal music by performers such as:  Tim Holley, Karen Walwyn, David Jackson, Timothy Jones, Tiffany Jackson, Gwen Laster, Louise Toppin and others with Kathryn Goodson and John Marzan, pianists 


Saturday, September 14 

 

            Sessions          9-1 (Watkins)

 

Lunch              1-2:30  (boxed lunch provided)

 

            Sessions          2:30-6  (Watkins) 

 

            Dinner             6-7:30  (on your own)

 

            Concert           7:30    400: An Afrikan Epic  performed by the Mark Lomax Quartet

The program is both a performance of the suite from the 400, a 12-album cycle that was released in January 2019, and a discussion among the audience and the performers. The music and discussion explore Black America in pre-colonial Afrika, the Ma"afa (the 400 years between 1619 and 2019), and Afro-futurism, a vision of community strength and unity in the next 400 years. The purpose is to engage students, faculty, staff, and artists in an experience that educates, entertains, and informs, and also inspires and uplifts the human spirit through the power of music. The work was presented to a sold out audience at the Lincoln Theatre in January 26, 2019.

 

For more information:

 

400: An Afrikan Epic  [YouTube, video 2 min 37 sec]
400 Recording Session [YouTube, 3 min 46 sec video excerpt]
400: An Afrikan Epic [web page, description]
Mark Lomax Press Kit  [web page]
Wexner Center Artist in Residence 2018  [news release]
Columbus Monthly article about the 400  [web page]

 

 

Sunday, September 15

 

            Sessions          10-1  (Watkins) 

 

 

Confirmed participants:

 

Kyra Gaunt Marti Newland Slaten MarciaPorter
George Shirley Randye Jones Caroline Helton
Emery Stephens Daniel Washington Kathryn Goodson
Tammy Kernodle Chuck Garrett Gabriela Cruz
Willis Patterson Timothy Holley Timothy Jones
Karen Walwyn David Jackson Gwen Laster
Josh Marzan Naomi André Louise Stein
Tawengwa Tanyaradzwa Gail Robinson-Oturu Olivia Duval
Andrea Jones Mark Lomax William Banfield
Mark Clague Kevin Maynor Julius Williams
Stephen Newby Christie Finn Austin Stewart
Dwight Andrews Emmett Price Anthony Kelley
Eapen Laubner
and many more...