Arts Access Grant
Arts Access Grant
Bemidji State University Music Department was awarded $4,019 to host renowned Latvian composer, Eriks EÜenvalds, to host a three-day residency at BSU, culminating in a High School Choral festival concert on March 22 -24, 2018.
Sandra Roman: retired art teacher, author; Laura Grisamore: photographer; Jill Johnson: author; Mary Therese: visual artist, fiber artist; Susan Olin: musician; Laura Dropps: visual artist; Becky Colebank: author; Corryn Trask: musician.
Sandra Roman: retired art teacher, author; Laura Grisamore: photographer; Jill Johnson: author; Mary Therese: visual artist, fiber artist; Susan Olin: musician; Becky Colebank: author; Corryn Trask: musician.
ACHF Arts Access ACHF Arts Education ACHF Cultural Heritage
As a result of witnessing leading composer Eriks EÜenvalds during rehearsals, presentations, and small group discussions, participating community members will increase not only their knowledge and awareness of EÜenvalds's composition, but of choral music in general. This would likely lead to future attendance of performances and general support of arts in this region and beyond. BSU students and faculty will receive coaching and insights from EÜenvalds that will provide them with greater knowledge of how to perform his repertoire, a familiarity with the composition process as a whole, and a fostering of high-level performance skills. Members of the visiting high school choirs will receive the afore-mentioned benefits, and will learn from the other choirs' performances. They will increase their knowledge of choral repertoire, witness other directors and conducting styles, and experience performing in a massed choir of nearly 200 singers. To evaluate the listed outcomes for this project, talk-back sessions will be held for BSU students, faculty, and community members during the activities during his residency and choral festival to see how their experiences improved their knowledge, skill, and awareness of composition and choral music in general. Also, members of visiting high school choirs and The Bemidji Choir will have talk-aloud interviews about their experience working with EÜenvalds on his own music (a rare opportunity).
As expected, adult musicians involved fell in love with Ešenvalds's music. Brian Stubbs (director from Brainerd) and Charlie Moe (director from Princeton) wished that opportunities like this continue to occur at Bemidji State. Many students left the festival overjoyed with the experience, and some remarked it was the "biggest day of the year" for them. Our evaluation methods were based on the oral and written reactions encountered and received during/after the residency and choral festival.
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