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News Release

Last modified: Thursday, April 8, 2010

IU's African American Choral Ensemble to present its spring concert April 17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University's African American Choral Ensemble will present its annual spring concert on April 17 (Saturday), at 7 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane.

The theme for this year's concert is "Images, Shadows and Dreams: Picture in Song." The concert will feature music by IU Distinguished Professor of Music David Baker and fellow African American composers Leslie Adams and R. Nathaniel Dett. The classical compositions will utilize instrumentation ranging from harpsichord to jazz bass and flute.

The concert's theme comes from the title of a work composed by Baker, "Images Shadows and Dreams." It looks at life's circumstances in songs and how images of human life and existence are portrayed through words and music. The text is by poet Mari Evans. Another selection, "Rent's Due Monday," offers an iconic phrase which speaks to the blues, to images of poverty-stricken locations, as well as to physical and psychological states of being within the boundaries of America.

Three contemporary gospel groups -- Soul Ace, Sojourner and God's Progress -- honor and preserve the vocal traditions of black gospel music, as part of the Choral Ensemble. They perform soul stirring and powerful music by gospel artists such as Mary Mary, Kiki Sheard, Kim Burrell, Hezekiah Walker and Eddie James and the Phoenix Mass Choir.

"We are working hard to uphold the integrity of what this choir and institute stand for. We understand that there is a legacy to help move us forward into the future," said Keith McCutchen, director of the African American Choral Ensemble, which is located with the African American Arts Institute.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for children and students with ID (limit two per student).

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