[With A Song In My Heart; Gerald J. Blanchard, Baritone; Blue Griffin Records BGR 117 (2008)]
The lyric baritone Gerald J. Blanchard is a Doctoral Candidate in the Voice and Opera Program of Michigan State University. His CD With A Song In My Heart includes works of Henry Thacker Burleigh, Margaret Allison Bonds and H. Leslie Adams. All three are African American composers who are profiled at AfriClassical.com. Accompanied by pianist Nancy Brown, he will present a Lecture and Recital on the African American Art Song Spiritual on October 10, 2010:
Thursday, Sep 2 2010
“THE EVOLUTION OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ART SONG SPIRITUAL: A JOURNEY FROM THE COTTON FIELDS TO THE CONCERT HALL
Gerald J. Blanchard, baritone
Nancy Brown, pianist
Sunday, October 10, 2010 3pm
Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Auditorium
Kellogg Community College,
Battle Creek, Michigan
“The African American art song spiritual had its foundation in the communal songs of the slaves. The slave songs contain many of the elements traditionally found in the songs of Western and Central Africa, which would include storytelling through music and dance, use of complex rhythmic structures, call and response form and use of percussion (drums replaced with the practice of clapping and foot stomping). The music was as diverse as the people and their traditions. America’s cultural heritage is greatly influenced by the contributions made by the African American people. Many of these traditional techniques originally associated with traditions of Africa have now become a significant component of the African American and arguably, part of the American musical aesthetic. The focus of this discussion will be limited to the study of the gradual development of two American song forms: the Negro spiritual (traditional) and its gradual transformation into the concert form otherwise known as the African American art song spiritual.
Gerald J. Blanchard”
“Mr. Blanchard received the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from West Chester University's School of Music in Pennsylvania and the Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Central Michigan University's School of Music in Mt. Pleasant. At present, he is a Doctoral Candidate and former Graduate TA for the voice and opera program at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.” “During the summer of 2002, Mr. Blanchard embarked on several artistic projects including a six-week intensive study with the renowned American Metropolitan Opera tenor, Mr. George I. Shirley on the performance of African American Art Song repertoire.”
Bel Canto Voce, http://www.bcvarts.org/, “Hear Gerald's performance on Afrocentric Voices Classical Radio.”
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