From Africa to America: The Roots of the Spiritual

  From Africa to America: The Roots of the Spiritual, Nov. 12, 12:30-4

On November 12, from 12:30-4, Charles Mays, Jr. will inspire, teach, and lead in an afternoon sure to be both fun and thought-provoking.   Our explorations will start in the varied historical sources, including some that may be surprising, and will reach their end in the global music of today. Far from a sterile lecture, this will be an opportunity to immerse in the music itself through singing, listening, questioning, humming, clapping, stomping, and possibly shouting with transcendent joy. The spiritual has been a vehicle used to claim “personhood” by a people who were considered less than animals, and today its modes, rhythms, and forms find themselves used as a key core of western music.  I hope that you will join us as we touch our inner light and “let it shine”.

Our parish is so excited (and lucky) to be hosting an extraordinary event, and we hope many of you will be there to take advantage of this joyful and fascinating experience!  Charles is a fantastic singer (3 seasons at the Marlboro Festival, and the regional winner of the Metropolitan Young Artist Award), and an even more engaging teacher and human being.   YOU NEED NOT BE A  “SINGER”  or have any musical experience in order to participate and enjoy.  The cost of the afternoon is $40, and includes delicious refreshments.