Features

Carpe Diem—Seize the day!

Reflections on Carpe Diem III: Songs of Hope and Freedom

by Deborah Thornton and the Carpe Diem singers

The Carpe Diem Community Choir is the brainchild of Busy Graham, executive director of Class Acts Arts and a tireless advocate of projects that promote the arts and build community. The idea is to bring together a diverse group of people–many of whom do not read music and/or have never sung in public–with a talented choral director and inspiring guest artists.

The first Carpe Diem was held last winter/spring and featured the music of hammer dulcimer virtuoso and renowned choral composer Malcolm Dalglish, along with percussionists Glen Velez and N. Scott Robinson. The fall 2003 Carpe Diem II culminated in a performance at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Featured were guest artists Eugene Friesen, Glen Velez and Howard Levy of the Grammy-award winning Trio Globo.

The featured guest artist and composer of the recently completed third Carpe Diem project was David Griffiths co-directing with Margie Farmer a choir of nearly 100 singers, ages 8 to 78, in a song cycle titled "Songs of Hope and Freedom in the Gospel and Spiritual Tradition." Local choreographer and dancer Gesel Mason created two original dances for the final performance on May 2 at Peoples Congregational Church, attended by more than 500 people.

Here are some of the reactions of the singers to this Carpe Diem season.

"I believe that the audience witnessed not only a choir making a joyful sound, but also a diverse community blending in voice, body, and spirit in a remarkably short space of time. The standing ovation when all was sung and done was yet another highlight of the whole experience. Though the choir has disbanded, we will always feel connected by this experience and will carry with us the hope that when the next opportunity comes to "change the world"–even for a moment–we will seize the day."

–Bob Veiga

"I originally heard about Carpe Diem from my good friend Pam Larson who thought to tell me about it as I was coming out of a chemotherapy session and then signed up with me. The singing experience worked wonders. If I had to capture in one line why singing is important to me I would say–because it cleans the dust from the soul and renews and reinvigorates all that is good, true, and beautiful."

–Kathleen Elliott Yinug

"When we began rehearsals in early spring, I wasn’t sure if I was an Alto or a Soprano. By the time we performed in concert eight weeks later, I was belting out those gospel tunes and loving every minute of it! One of the great things about the Gospel tradition is that the music is learned "by ear" — which is a good thing because I do not know how to read music. There were several experienced singers in the Carpe Diem chorus, along with those of us who have always wanted to sing but had rarely if ever had the opportunity. I was told that as long as I could carry a tune, I was welcome. I just made sure I always stood near one of the more experienced singers, and they kept me on track. A few of my customers were part of the group, and I enjoyed having the chance to interact with them outside of the store. Thanks to Busy Graham and Class Acts! for making it all happen."

–Jude Garrett

"I have always loved to sing but hadn’t sung in any organized group since grade school–unless you count some informal street corner a cappella bebop in high school. Carpe Diem provided the opportunity to re-enter this world without being judged, e.g. without a formal audition. In a very supportive and communal environment, a chorus was formed and in two months was able to perform a wonderful and uplifting mix of gospel songs and spirituals. The leadership of David Griffiths was especially powerful and inspirational. The single performance galvanized, for me, the strength, beauty and joy of many voices raised together in fellowship and song."

–Frank Aikman

"I love to sing. It’s one of my favorite passions. Ask my husband, and he’ll tell you that I sing all the time: in the car, in the shower, on the street, though I hadn’t sung with a group since my school days. A couple of years ago, I took voice lessons to feed my hunger for singing, but doing it alone wasn’t as fulfilling as being part of a larger choir. Through Carpe Diem, we met and connected with people in our area from various backgrounds, each with their own set of unique experiences and talents. We learned gospel songs and Negro spirituals that touched our hearts and our souls. We found a creative outlet that we shared as a couple. The whole experience was positive and uplifting. Working with Busy Graham, David Griffiths, Margie Farmer, and the members of the choir and creating such heavenly sounds was exhilarating. It felt like coming home again."

–Marilyn Dabady

"Singing with the Carpe Diem choir brought together the best elements of what a musical experience has to offer: passion for the music, a spirit of fun and challenge, and building community through shared musical experience. Throughout rehearsals, leading up to the final concert, there was a sense of movement toward the pure enjoyment of celebrating both the rich tradition of gospel music and the timeless tradition of singing as a small community or village. In Carpe Diem, we built and celebrated our village through our inspired feelings for the music.

–Elin Zurbrigg

"With the 50th anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education, there has been a revived interest in the many movements for civil rights that followed. The songs that we sang as part of the Carpe Diem residency with David Griffiths captured the spirit of traditional spirituals that inspired, unified, and strengthened the civil rights marches. No matter what cultural background we come from, our ancestors are the shoulders that we rest upon. In this case, our community choir of diverse people rejoiced through the tradition of song in the spirit that preceded the Emancipation Proclamation…that gave strength to those who survived the system of slavery and captivity. If we can believe that we are all one people, one race, then we can feel the power of the oppressed against the oppressor underlining the songs in Carpe Diem: Songs of Hope and Freedom."

–Diane Macklin

Future Carpe Diem plans include a mini-residency with Elise Witt, a workshop and performance with the a cappella group "Almost Recess," and with the French Canadian music and stepdance group Le Vent du Nord, a full-length residency directed by Diana Saez of Coral Cantigas.

For more information about Carpe Diem, visit www.classactsarts.org or call 301-588-4677. Audio and video recordings are available.