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MINNESOTA CHORALE INTERACTIVE SERIES: FALL 2020
Dr. Sharon Paul https://music.uoregon.edu/people/faculty/sjpaul
October 19th
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This session focuses on Dr. Sharon Paul’s new book, Art and Science in the Choral Rehearsal, which explores the idea that choral conductors who better understand how the brain learns, and how individuals within groups function, can lead more efficient, productive, and enjoyable rehearsals. Armed with this knowledge, conductors can create rehearsal techniques which take advantage of certain fundamental brain and social psychology principles. Through such approaches, singers will become increasingly engaged physically and mentally in the rehearsal process.
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Dr. Sharon J. Paul holds the Robert M. Trotter Chair of Music at the University of Oregon, where she currently serves as Interim Department Head of Music Performance and Director of Choral Activities. Her teaching includes graduate courses in choral conducting, repertoire, and pedagogy, along with conducting the internationally award-winning Chamber Choir. From 1984-1992, Paul served as director of choral activities at California State University, Chico, where she directed a large choral program and taught undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, choral literature, and the humanities. In 1991, Paul was awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award at CSU, Chico.
Brendon Adams http://nhiexchange.org/about-us/
November 2nd
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Co-founder and Director of the South African chamber ensemble 29:11, Brendon Adams shares his summer journey of advocacy, walking from Minneapolis to Aurora, Colorado. Hear about Brendon’s experience and learn some of the South African freedom songs he sang during this powerful walk for freedom and justice.
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Brendon Adams was born and raised in Elsies River, in Cape Town, South Africa and has experienced first-hand the violence, fear, and disadvantage of growing up during and post Apartheid. Poverty, oppression, violence, and fear often blocked HOPE from his mind. It was because of his faith he was able to rise above the oppressive circumstances and forgive and love his neighbors who had hurt him. Brendon decided early on that if he were given an opportunity, he would give back to his community in any way he could. Together with his wife Gaylene Adams, they co-founded and run the non-profit organization New Hope International Exchange, which sponsors the chamber ensemble 29:11. This local group of young vocalists and instrumentalists serve the Cape Town community through their music ministry. They also assist with community feedings, day camps, and other programs for neighborhood children of the Jeremiah Project. The ensemble embodies all the aspects of Hope Exchange by exchanging talent, cultural values, and Christian faith towards a better future.
Dr. Ahmed Anzaldua http://ahmedanzaldua.com
November 9th
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Founder and director of the Twin Cities chamber ensemble Border CrosSing, Ahmed Anzaldua shares expertise, insight, and community singing in this introductory session to the rich heritage of Latinx choral music.
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Dr. Ahmed Anzaldúa is a Mexican choral conductor, classical pianist, and music educator of Egyptian descent. He is an active musician, performing in Mexico and the United States frequently as a soloist and conductor with choirs, orchestras, in recitals, and as a collaborative pianist. He currently lives in Minneapolis, and is the director and founder of Border CrosSing, an organization dedicated to integrating historically-segregated audiences, repertoire, and musicians through the performance of choral music. He is also a co-editor of the Justice Choir songbook and Director of Music Ministries at Unity Church – Unitarian in St. Paul. As part of his service to the field, Anzaldúa is part of the national Diversity Initiatives Committee for the American Choral Directors Association and is Chair of Repertoire and Resources for multicultural choirs and world music for ACDA Minnesota. Anzaldúa holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Choral Conducting from Western Michigan University, and received his Doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Minnesota in 2019.
Adrian Davis https://roosevelt.mpls.k12.mn.us/davis_adrian
November 16th
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Twin Cities pedagogue and Bridges partner Adrian Davis leads an evening of song and exploration in the history of Gospel music as a living tradition which shares the values of love, peace, longsuffering, and kindness. “Within that,” Davis says, “comes the narrative of culture: People that sing their way through slavery. Sing their way through Jim Crow. We are singing people’s lives. Performing people’s lives.”
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A native of Memphis, Adrian Davis received his M.M. in music education from the University of Saint Thomas and began his professional teaching career in 2000. His choral and instrumental ensembles have been active performers in the Twin Cities community, and have received excellent and superior ratings in state, regional, and national festivals. Davis was nominated a quarterfinalist for Grammy Music Educator of the Year in 2014 and 2016, and was featured on Classical MPR in January 2014 for excellence in music education. He was also selected as a top educator in the Celebration of Teachers for Minneapolis Public Schools in 2016. In the fall of 2013, he established a music department at Roosevelt High School, where he leads two choirs and a drumline ensemble, and teaches classes in world music and music technology. Davis is an active musician and producer and has performed and recorded with artists across the United States and around the world. He has a solo album, entitled "Divers," that was released in 2008. He is currently completing a Ph.D. in music education at the University of Minnesota, where he conducts the University Gospel Choir.