Singing in the African-American Tradition will be the theme of a vocal workshop directed by Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge on Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7. Dr. Barnwell, singer, composer, and lyricist of Sweet Honey in the Rock has been conducting these workshops for nearly twenty years through the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Australia.
This particular workshop is designed to facilitate a sense of community through music from the African-American tradition. Musical forms may include calls, chants, spirituals, ring shouts, hymns, gospels, songs of resistance from the Civil Rights and other freedom movements, and contemporary songs which will be introduced in their social, historical, and political context. Participating in singing and discussions, the group will explore from an African-American world view, the values embedded in the music, the role of cultural and spiritual traditions and rituals, ways in which leadership emerges and can be shared by and among community members, the nature of cultural responses to and influences on political and social struggle, and finally the significance of a shared communal experience in one's personal life.
Dr. Barnwell is a native of New York, now living in Washington, DC. Since 1979 she has performed with the internationally acclaimed a capella quintet, Sweet Honey in the Rock. She is a vocalist with a range of over three octaves and appears on more than twenty-five recordings with Sweet Honey as well as other artists. In her first year with Sweet Honey, she provided leadership in making the group's concerts accessible to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing through Sign Language interpretation.
After moving to Washington, D.C., Dr. Barnwell founded and directed the All Souls Jubilee Singers. She has composed and arranged music on more than 14 recordings on labels including SONY Classical, Music for Little People, and Flying Fish. She has also worked as a commissioned composer on numerous and varied projects including Sesame Street, Dance Alloy of Pittsburgh, Women's Philharmonic of San Francisco, The Steel Festival of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and numerous other organizations, groups and choirs, all an outgrowth of her combined understanding of creative arts integrally connected with society. Dr. Barnwell also has acting experience as a voice-over and documentary film narrator.
This workshop is open to everyone and will take place on the EDS campus in Washburn Auditorium. It begins at 7:00 pm (until 10:00 pm) on Friday, May 6 and continues on Saturday, May 7 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. No singing experience is required. The fee for the two-day workshop is $75.00; however, partial scholarships may be available. Pre-registration and payment in full is required. Workshop capacity is 200 people. Please plan to bring a brown bag lunch or purchase your lunch in Harvard Square. To register, please contact Elisa Lucozzi either by e-mail at elucozzi@eds.edu or by calling 617.682.1538 or Toll Free at 866.EDS.4NOW ext. 538.
Episcopal Divinity School is a respected center of study and spiritual formation for lay and ordained leaders with a strong commitment to justice, compassion, and reconciliation. Formed in 1974 with the merger of Philadelphia Divinity School and the Episcopal Theological School, EDS offers doctor of ministry and master's degrees, and certificates in theological studies. Located on an eight-acre campus just a few blocks from Harvard Yard, EDS is a member of the Boston Theological Institute, a consortium of nine eminent theological schools, seminaries, and departments of religion. For additional information on EDS visit http://www.eds.edu.
