Around 100 people attended “An evening of African-American Art Songs” at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening in the Chamichican Chamber Music Hall.
Gerald Blanchard, graduate assistant in the music department and event organizer, gave a pre-concert talk on the history of African-American art songs.
An art song is defined as a vocal composition, which is created by using poetry and a text of high literary value set to an original musical accompaniment, he said.
“The major difference between African-American art songs and European art songs is that the lyrics of the African-American songs reflect more about the plight of the African-American people,” Blanchard said.
This is the first time that CMU sponsored this event to celebrate African-America music, he said.
“African-American art songs are gorgeous, but sometimes were neglected by people…
“I hope to increase the popularity of African-American art songs on campus and let people be educated about the art song genre through this event,” Blanchard said.
Blanchard’s master’s degree project involves development of African-American art songs, so this concert is part of the outcome of his research, he said.
“When we listen to African-American art songs, the most important thing is to understand the spirit of the Negroes,” he said.
Following Blanchard’s talk, the performance began, which was featured both talented voice and piano students as well as faculty from the School of Music.
There were about 20 pieces presented to the audience throughout the evening.
Dawn Parvu, Alma senior and one of the attendants, said she really enjoyed listening to the songs.
“I seldom heard about those songs before, so it is a good opportunity for me to participate this concert and learn different aspects of art songs,” she said.
As a voice major student, Parvu said she knew most of the performers and thought they had done a good job.
Kara Regan, Brighton freshman and Jessica Crawford, Pennsylvania freshman, came together to the concert.
The concert was dedicated to introducing the art songs to the people, which was very meaningful, Regan said.
“This is my first time to listen to African-American art songs and its song-genre exposed lots of diversity to me,” she said.
Crawford said she enjoyed the concert and will attend it again in the future.
“The songs are really wonderful,” she said.

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