BUTLER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC presents

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONCERT

Butler University Choirs Butler University Jazz Ensemble Butler Symphony Orchestra Butler Ballet Voices of Deliverance

Livestream Thursday, February 25, 2021 7:30 P.M.

The forty-sixth program of the Butler University School of Music 2020-21 season

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208

PROGRAM

Lift Every Voice and Sing James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) J. Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) Combined Butler University Choirs Dr. Robert Townsend, guest conductor

Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring Ring with the harmonies of Liberty. Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us. Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us. Facing the rising sun of our new day begun Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod Felt in the days when hope unborn had died. Yet with a steady beat Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered. Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears Thou who has brought us thus far on the way. Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee. Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee. Shadowed beneath Thy hand May we forever stand True to our God True to our native land.

Harlem Air Shaft Duke Ellington (1899-1974) Butler University Jazz Ensemble Matt Pivec, director Sean Imboden, clarinet

In celebration of Black History Month, the Butler University Jazz Ensemble is honored to pay tribute to three iconic American musicians: Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, and Count Basie. In the words of Duke Ellington from a 1944 interview in the The New Yorker,

So much goes on in a Harlem air shaft. You get the full essence of Harlem in an air shaft. You hear fights, you smell dinner, you hear people making love. You hear intimate gossip floating down. You hear the radio.

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208

An air shaft is one great big loudspeaker. You see your neighbor’s laundry. You hear the janitor’s dogs. The man upstairs’ aerial falls down and breaks your window. You smell coffee. A wonderful thing is that smell. An air shaft has got every contrast. One guy is cooking dried fish with rice and another guy’s got a great big turkey. Guy-with-fish’s wife is a terrific cooker but the guy’s wife with the turkey is doing a sad job. You hear people praying, fighting, snoring. Jitterbugs are jumping up and down always over you, never below you. That’s a funny thing about jitterbugs. They’re always over you. I tried to put all that in “Harlem Air Shaft.”

Phantom Chapel William Grant Still (1895-1978) Butler Symphony Orchestra Richard Auldon Clark, conductor

Phantom Chapel (1944) began as a solo work, the first movement in a two-part work entitled “Bells.” This performance is Still’s own reworking of the piece for string orchestra and piano. A beautiful and haunting tone poem, this remains one of Still’s most picturesque and atmospheric works.

Won’t You Celebrate with Me Lucille Clifton (1936-2010) A Reading by Lucille Clifton

Ella’s Song Bernice Johnson Reagon (b. 11942) Butler University Choir John Perkins, conductor Kim Kenny, Kelly Kirk, Jana Dinkaloo, soloists

Dedicated to Civil Rights pioneer Ella Baker, this song by Sweet Honey in the Rock founder Bernice Johnson Reagon is a powerful song of courage and struggle. The song gives the next generation a chance to understand “what it takes” to struggle for Black freedom.

Raisin in the Milk - A Double Consciousness Written and Directed by Ramón Flowers Butler Ballet

Please note: This production includes the usage of some adult language and graphic images.

Raisin in the Milk - A Double Consciousness investigates the nature of racism in the United States, and how it plays out in American Ballet. Brenda Dixon-Gottschild’s scholarship documenting the Africanist presence in certain forms of mainstream ballet serves as a point of departure for this project. I have unpacked racial stereotyping and appropriation as some of the causes of what W.E.B. DuBois has called “double consciousness,” and their impact on the “Black Dancing Body.” My research examines the struggle for black dancers of unifying different components of their composite identity, and how this process plays out phenomenologically. In my process, I sought a better understanding of the mechanics and cultural politics of “appropriation” and its implications for understanding how racism works and is disseminated on artistic and aesthetic grounds. My research is an embodiment of the African diaspora which had an influence on the founding father of American Ballet, George Balanchine. I have investigated movements and music that helped me mark the temporal, and evolutional aspect of my project. Using juxtaposed movements from the classical ballet vocabulary and traditional Africanist style movements to expose the similarities or appropriated components of American Ballet, I further explored Joanne Kealiinohomoku's scholarship about how Ballet is a form of “ethnic dance,” as an embodied work of research.

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208

Strong God Kirk Franklin (b. 1970) Voices of Deliverance Butler University Choir Kim Kenny, guest conductor Devin Archie and Heather Curtis, soloists

This work by famed gospel artist Kirk Franklin situates the work of equity as an impossible dream, fulfilled through humans, but, perhaps only through the spiritual intervention of a Strong God.

Voices of Deliverance and the Butler University Choir produced this song under the direction of Kim Kenny. Our talented, first-year student, Devin Archie, prepared the solo. This recording was first aired at the Center for Faith and Vocation’s film series last week. The evening centered “How Sweet the Sound,” a film about gospel music in L.A. during the 1960s-70s.

I Got it Bad (and That Ain’t Good) Duke Ellington (1899-1974) Butler University Jazz Ensemble Matt Pivec, director Annie Brown, vocals Sabin Martinez, alto saxophone

Originally written to feature vocalist Ivie Anderson and alto saxophonist Otto Hartwick, the quintessential swing ballad “I Got it Bad” provides lush harmonies from the saxophone section as our own Annie Brown and Sabin Martinez deliver the solo statements.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers Langston Hughes (1902-1967) Reading by Auboni Hart (Butler alumna, class of 2020)

Mother and Child William Grant Still (1895-1978) Butler Symphony Orchestra Richard Auldon Clark, conductor

Mother and Child (1943) was inspired by the African-American artist Sargent Johnson’s touching painting of the same name. Originally this was the second movement of a three-movement suite for violin and piano. Still later adapted this piece for string orchestra. This work represents Still’s lush and lyrical string writing at its best.

No Color Stacey Gibbs (b. 1962) Shawn Kirchner (b. 1970) Butler University Chorale Eric Stark, conductor

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208

The first-ever collaboration of composers Stacey Gibbs and Shawn Kirchner, “No Color” seeks to find common ground between the two races represented by the compositional team. “No Color” offers us the chance to reflect that united we are stronger than divided, and no color should come between us.

Meetin’ Time Benny Carter (1907-2003) Butler University Jazz Ensemble Matt Pivec, director Mitchell Remington, trumpet Xavier Robertson, tenor saxophone

From the pen of Benny Carter and the band of Count Basie, the gospel influenced “Meetin’ Time” is one of ten movements from the Kansas City Suite, which depicts scenes, venues and sounds from this midwestern American cultural center.

We Sing As One B.E. Boykin Butler University Spectra Becky Marsh, director Geoffery Stemen, piano

One woman, one voice, one hymn one voice! Daughters of the Earth, we sing as one. Bestowing in us a melodic spirit, undaunted by the fight we press on. Measures of music enriched with God’s light. Eternally endowing our hearts with a rich diaspora of lyrical inheritance.

A legacy with love and fortitude, A praise song in tune with a who sing, We sing as one. We sing in harmony, we sing in unity, we sing in love as One woman, one voice, one hymn, we sing as one!

We selected Brittney Boykin’s piece, “We Sing as One,” as our contribution to this year’s Black History Month concert to honor and celebrate Black Americans in three intentional ways. First, we celebrate the brilliance and musical work of Ms. Boykin, a composer, pianist, conductor, and music educator who identifies as a Black female. Next, her piece was commissioned to celebrate the 133rd anniversary of the founding of Spelman College, “a historically Black college and a global leader in the education of women of African descent, dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and the intellectual, creative, ethical, and leadership development of its students” (2021).

Finally, in discussing our positionality as musicians singing this piece, Spectra musicians recognized that we must take care to honor the intent of this piece, which led us to the discussion of “allyship.” We recognize that we are not the Spelman College Glee Club, who premiered this work, and that Butler is a predominantly white institution. Thus, Spectra contributes “We Sing as One” as a group of singers and allies who seek to honor the lives and contributions of Black Americans. Our rehearsal process involved conversations about race, privilege, identity, power, and what it means to be an ally.

In exploring what it means to be an ally, the notion of “using one’s voice” to amplify or make space for others’ became an important theme for us. Often the notion of “unity” in our society can mean that already marginalized voices are silenced or ignored. One student inspired us by her interpretation of Ms. Boykin’s setting of the text, “We sing in harmony, we sing in unity,” expressing that when we sing in harmony—honoring, celebrating, and respecting our differences—we can truly sing in unity, as one.

We humbly present to you B.E. Boykin’s “We Sing as One.”

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208

Sing ‘Till the Power of the Lord Comes Down African American spiritual, passed on in the oral tradition by Melanie DeMore and Ysaye Barnwell (b. 1946) Butler University Choir John Perkins, conductor

We end this concert with music passed to the University Choir from the oral tradition. “How long shall we sing?” Melanie DeMore asks, “Till the power of the Lord comes down!” The song is not just a religious call, but it speaks to the ability of all to sing and act, until justice occurs. That work may sadly never be fully realized, but we find joy in the work of anti-racism. We can sing with hope, and we will. We can stand against oppression, and we will.

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208

BUTLER BALLET Ramón Flowers, director

DANCERS: Oreo/Brute: Burton, Malcolm (Trent, Teryn) Virtuous White Woman: Steinly, Laurel (Norris, Carolan) Soothsayer/Conscious: Matthew Davis Medicine Man: Fernando Carrillo (Shiozawa, Ken) Mainstream Ballet: Bentz, Nick, Bolton, Genevieve, Castellanet, Adriana, Cerra, Julia, Connolly, Fiona, Grob, Daryl, Nicotera, Nina, Gruner, Jeremy, Norris, Carolan, Porter, Ashleigh, Scofield, Daniel, Weber, Hayley, Shelton, Brent

COLORED SECTION: Boone, Denea, Clark, Chyna, Grant Carter, Kaila, Idjagboro, Scholar, Johnson, Jamila, Middleton, Zoe, Robinson, Naomi, Shiozawa, Ken, Trent, Teryn

BUTLER UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE Matt Pivec, director

SAXOPHONES TROMBONES Alto 1 – James Howard Max Brown (lead) Alto 2 – Sabin Martinez Olander Porter Tenor 1 – Xavier Robertson Luke Ische Tenor 2 – Scott Kelley Michael Mazzerole – Bass Baritone – Alex Sparks RHYTHM TRUMPETS Jonathan Padgett – Drums Tom Pieciak (lead) Max Davis – Drums Noelle Engle David Richards – Bass Mitchell Remington Van Barnes – Bass Alec Newman Ethan Veliky – Guitar Quintin Danzi – Guitar VOCALS Claire Porter – Piano Annie Brown

BUTLER UNIVERSITY CHORALE Eric Stark, conductor

SOPRANOS ALTOS BASSES Adrian Daeger Emma Hubeny Walker Demel Emma Eyrich Meg Schiliro Gavin Craig Kate Fehan Emily Schlorf Alex Schildgen Ruthie Miller Joey Van Hooser Kyra Opdyke TENORS Adri Palacio Ethan Schopp Sophie Stasheim Antony Winfrey

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208

BUTLER UNIVERSITY CHOIR John Perkins, conductor

SOPRANOS TENORS Madeleine Bradenburg Jeffery Elsey Rachel Christie Luke Barath Jana Dinkeloo Christopher Kaufman Chloe Hall Alejandro Reyna Shayna Johnson Halla Vanest BASSES Kate Nelson Trent Alexander Devin Archie ALTOS Nathan Charles Elizabeth Bockensbaum John French Kelly Kirk Dylan Lewis Jojo Montgomery Spencer Michaels Sophie Mullinix Tim Reed Sam Reichenbach Abraham Rittenhouse

BUTLER UNIVERSITY SPECTRA Becky Marsh, conductor Geoffery Stemen, collaborative pianist

SOPRANO 1 ALTO 1 Sloan August Isabelle Calkins Karlie Burkhart Caleb Crawford Abigail Dame Hannah Knickrehm Marianne Marten Becky Winger Lynne-Grace Wooden SOPRANO 2 Bridget Burke ALTO 2 Martha Clifford Laurel Crutchfield Miranda Dehaai Jason Freer Allison Fojo Anaya Lazaro Brooke Heitman Griffin McPhail Lillie Michael Lauryn Tooley Kaylin Todor

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208

BUTLER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Richard Auldon Clark, conductor

VIOLIN I Carmela Thiele CELLO Angela Pulliam Ricky Del Real Tamalynn O’Grady Anna Smith Jade Woo Sam Fansler Annie Donato Tyler Baker Jose Martinez Lisa (Sung Yeon) Kim Abigail Hopkins Katie Stitsworth Madeline Bowling Lal Mawia Rebekah White Kathryn Tuttle Ella King Charlea Schueler VIOLA Bailey Yates Cassandra Tosh BASS Erin Gardiner Nicole Felker Nick Gundersen Jenna Small Amanda Murbach VIOLIN II Lexi Scida Elise Sparre Rebecca Wager John Qualkenbush Sara Austin Adia Mimms Alex Spees Jessie Miller Martine Cardichon PIANO Alex McGrath Anna White Douglas Perez Eric Clevenger

JCA LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT We acknowledge that we gather here at Butler University on the traditional land of indigenous peoples including the Potawatomi, Miami, Delaware, and Shawnee. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the indigenous peoples past and present who have stewarded it throughout the generations. This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit, while also acknowledging that some were brought to this land not by choice.

The Butler University School of Music is proud to acknowledge Meridian Piano Movers as a corporate sponsor of our programs.

Jordan College of the Arts | Butler University | 4600 Sunset Ave | Indianapolis, IN | 46208