Words and music come together at convocation
by Cem Erez
Earlham students got a glimpse of where art could take them at this past Wedneday’s convocation, “Diverging Roads and Crossing Paths: The Collaborative Process in Poetry and Music.”
Earlham class of 1997 graduate Lisa Pegram teamed up with composer David Arbury to create a medly of poetry and music that will have its world premier tonight at 7.30 in Goddard Auditorium.
The piece was commissioned for Earlham by choral director William Culverhouse.
Arbury and Pegram originally went to the same high school. They went their separate ways after graduation only to find each other again and write a piece together.
Pegram, who graduated from Earlham in 1997 and is now a poet, songwriter and arts educator, decided to write a poem for the piece.
“The poem ‘Trade Winds’ is about community, exchange of ideas, culture, individuals and the harmonic ways in which they interact with one another,” she said when asked about the poem’s meaning.
“It’s about elements, not only in nature, but within ourselves and society that work coherently together.”
In the past, Arbury’s compositions for concert hall, church, dance and theater have been performed throughout the U.S., as well as in Denmark, France and Italy.
When he was asked about the piece having its world premiere at Earlham, he said, “I’m thrilled about the piece being played here for the very first time. It’s really exciting because a Quaker college is a part of my past as well. There’s a good sense of comfortableness and I’m hoping to see everyone at the concert on Friday.”
Arbury compared composing a piece to moving into a new home during the convocation.
“Every piece I work on is like moving into a new apartment. Lots of new things and decorating. Working collaboratively was like having a roommate in that new apartment,” he said.
The choir performed small sections of the piece and gave the audience the taste of the things to expect. The audience responded to these snippets enthusiastically.
Earlham Music professor Dan Graves attended the convocation and was very pleased by the outcome.
“It’s awesome that they’re doing the premiere here. Kudos to Bill for having the enthusiasm, the contacts and the perseverance to make it happen,” he said.
The students involved in it also seemed to be having a good time. Junior percussion player Sami Hamed said, “Having a percussion section for a choir makes this piece great and challenging. We accomplished our goals and we’re ready for Friday.”
Liz Burman, junior choir performer, also had positive things to say.
“I really like how they brought a wonderful piece together in such a short time. It’s amazing. I’m really looking forward to the concert.”
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