2008 Woodie Awards
African music takes the stage
Maggie Te Grotenhuis
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: A&E
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There are not many times in a person's life when they get to experience the genre of music that will be performed at Kirkwood Community College in Ballantyne Auditorium on Friday night.
"The music we are going to be singing is of African origin. It varies from sacred music to a set of freedom songs to authentic African music," said Kirkwood Choral Director Ray Saluka of the Dec. 7 choral performance.
In total the concert choir houses around 40 members, not including the four percussionists and 12 dancers. This is the first time the concert choir is performing this type of music that includes guest conductor Fred Okorefe Kwaku Onovwerosuoke (Fred O).
"Last year's music was very serious. We've done Broadway and opera before but we wanted to try something completely different this year," said Saluka.
And his students agree. "This concert's music is much different from what we've done before. It's more upbeat. I'm really looking forward to working with Fred O," said Evelyn Marolf, vocal music major.
"This music is more fun. You can feel it, dance to it. It's doesn't have that typical choral sound. It's the bomb," said Cameron Bryd, fashion merchandising major.
To help his students prepare for the type of music they would be singing, Saluka required his students to watch movies including "The Last King of Scottland" and "Hotel Rwanda." He did this so that his students could get a feel for the music and have an overall better understanding of the turmoil going on in Africa.
Fred O was born in Ghana and has a doctorate in interdisciplinary arts and sciences. He has already distinguished himself as accompanist, choral conductor and a composer.
Fred O will be bringing with him an African dancer and drummer and they will help the student dancers to learn the style of dance that will be performed on Friday. The percussionists will be helping the drummers with their music as well.
Saluka concluded by reflecting on why he loves this type of music so much. "It is still so engaging and powerful despite what is going on in Africa right now. You can still hear joy in the music and the human spirit still sings," he said.
The concert is Friday, Dec. 7, and the curtain rises at 7: 30 p.m. with no reserved seating.
"The music we are going to be singing is of African origin. It varies from sacred music to a set of freedom songs to authentic African music," said Kirkwood Choral Director Ray Saluka of the Dec. 7 choral performance.
In total the concert choir houses around 40 members, not including the four percussionists and 12 dancers. This is the first time the concert choir is performing this type of music that includes guest conductor Fred Okorefe Kwaku Onovwerosuoke (Fred O).
"Last year's music was very serious. We've done Broadway and opera before but we wanted to try something completely different this year," said Saluka.
And his students agree. "This concert's music is much different from what we've done before. It's more upbeat. I'm really looking forward to working with Fred O," said Evelyn Marolf, vocal music major.
"This music is more fun. You can feel it, dance to it. It's doesn't have that typical choral sound. It's the bomb," said Cameron Bryd, fashion merchandising major.
To help his students prepare for the type of music they would be singing, Saluka required his students to watch movies including "The Last King of Scottland" and "Hotel Rwanda." He did this so that his students could get a feel for the music and have an overall better understanding of the turmoil going on in Africa.
Fred O was born in Ghana and has a doctorate in interdisciplinary arts and sciences. He has already distinguished himself as accompanist, choral conductor and a composer.
Fred O will be bringing with him an African dancer and drummer and they will help the student dancers to learn the style of dance that will be performed on Friday. The percussionists will be helping the drummers with their music as well.
Saluka concluded by reflecting on why he loves this type of music so much. "It is still so engaging and powerful despite what is going on in Africa right now. You can still hear joy in the music and the human spirit still sings," he said.
The concert is Friday, Dec. 7, and the curtain rises at 7: 30 p.m. with no reserved seating.
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