"Her Story - Her Song" Festival Celebrates Women's Music And Culture
Christina Chaffin - Staff Writer
October 15, 2009

The University of Dayton community will have the opportunity to journey from Africa to the United States on a musical voyage this weekend.

Blues, jazz and gospel music arranged and composed by African-American women will fill Sears Recital Hall for "Her Story - Her Song: Festival of African-American Women Composers and Arrangers."

The festival is part of an annual celebration of African-American music at UD.

Festival coordinator Dr. Donna M. Cox, a music professor at UD, has been celebrating African-American music on campus for 18 years.

According to Cox, the festival will be jam-packed with a variety of events.

"The festival will include recitals, presentations and interactive workshops, which invite participants to experience the music through hearing and singing," she said.

Throughout the two-day event, the audience will be invited to sing with a gospel choir and can learn from Rosephanye Powell, one of the nation's leading African-American choral composers.

"The atmosphere will be intimate, informative and non-hectic," Cox said. "Many opportunities will be included for others to get to know wonderful people who value the significant contributions of African-American women to American history and culture."

Dr. Linda Snyder, professor and coordinator of voice performance studies, is one of the performers who will take the stage as part of the Faculty Artist Series program.

Snyder said she has seen first-hand how large the production will be.

"The festival will include wonderful music, outstanding guests and faculty performers, and UD student and faculty collaborative performances," she said. "Most of all, the event will heighten awareness of the contributions of women composers to the world of music."

Cox said her goal is for "the audience to get an insider's view on a body of music that most would normally not get to hear."

"I also hope to see people communicating in ways that cross the boundaries of UD students, community members and professional musicians," Cox said.

Two UD student recitals will occur at 1 p.m. Friday and 10:50 a.m. Saturday, Snyder said.

Guests from other colleges and universities including Claflin University in South Carolina, Berea College in Kentucky, Central State University in Ohio and Wright State University will also perform at the festival.

"This is a great way to support your peers, as well as take a short and uplifting study break," Snyder said.

Both Cox and Snyder said they are looking forward to the festival and hope others are touched by the many components of it.

"Remember it takes a composer, performers and listeners to make music happen," Snyder said. "You, the audience, are essential."


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