Office of Communications and Marketing

Campus Alert

A Recital Tribute to Marian Anderson, the Lady from Philadelphia, in Recognition of American Education Week

November 13, 2006

What: "A Recital Tribute to Marian Anderson, the Lady from Philadelphia, in Recognition of American Education Week," sponsored by the Benedict College Fine Arts Department

When: Sunday, November 12, 5 p.m.-recital presented by Mr. Honeysucker and

Dr. High, piano; Monday, November 13, 1-3 p.m.-Master Class

Where: Antisdel Chapel at Benedict College

Who: Robert Honeysucker, internationally-acclaimed bass-baritone and voice faculty member at Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and the Longy School of Music; Dr. Ronald H. High, Associate Professor of Music at Benedict College, and Senior Fulbright Scholar to the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater, Hannover, Germany (2005)

Purpose: This year marks the 51st anniversary of the historic debut of Marian Anderson at the Metropolitan Opera.  On January 7, 1955, Madame Anderson broke color barriers as the first African-American artist to sing with that prestigious company.  Her debut blazed the pathway for stellar artists such as Mattiwilda Dobbs, Robert McFerrin, Leontyne Price, George Shirley, Leona Mitchell, Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman, and other notable musicians.  Madame Anderson excelled in every aspect of classical singing and left an indelible impact on the world by her moving renditions of diverse repertoire and Negro spirituals.  In addition, Madame Anderson was a humanitarian who touched the lives of people throughout the world. The purpose of this recital is to salute this outstanding American whose life, career, and legacy have left an indelible impression on mankind.

Mr. Honeysucker will offer a repertoire that is representative of the genres of music that Madame Anderson sang. There will be an emphasis on art songs by African-American composers and Negro spirituals. Dr. High will accompany at the piano. There will be an insert in the program that highlights Madame Anderson's achievements as an artist and humanitarian. On the day following the recital, Mr. Honeysucker will offer a master class in which he will coach selected singers on performance practices and styles of the spiritual and art songs by African-American composers.

.

Previous Page