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Carpe Diem—Seize the day!
Reflections on Carpe Diem III: Songs of Hope
and Freedom
by Deborah Thornton and the Carpe Diem singers
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Photos: Andrew Kenney
Carpe Diem singers, left to right:
Molly Hickman, Walden Davis, Emily Pratt, Sethly Davis,
Paige Thomas.
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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
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Dancer Gesel Mason, David Griffiths,
Carpe Diem Choir, and window by David Driskell.
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"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.
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