IMSLP Journal: 'Surveying current perceptions of Porgy and Bess' by Randye Jones

[Randye Jones]

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com, sends this announcement:

“Randye Jones, a recorded soprano, on the library staff at Grinell College, and doctoral student at the University of Iowa, has published 'Surveying current perceptions of Porgy and Bess' in the October issue of the IMSLP Journal, the online publication of the International Music Score Library.” http://www.imslpjournal.org

IMSLPJournal.com

“Randye Jones holds her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Bennett College, Greensboro, North Carolina, and her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Florida State University, Tallahassee. She is currently a doctoral student in Vocal Literature at the University of Iowa, where she studies with Stephen Swanson. Ms. Jones has gained international recognition for her research of African American vocalists and composers and for her research project, The Art of the Negro Spiritual. A lecturer and recitalist, she most recently presented a lecture-recital on spirituals at the 2011 Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium VIII in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. She is also on the library staff at Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa.”

Randye Jones Surveys Attitudes on Casting Restriction for Opera 'Porgy and Bess'

[Richard C. Alston is “Jasbo Brown” in the New Jersey State Opera production of Porgy and Bess on May 21 and 23, 2010]

Soprano and music researcher Randye Jones hosts an Internet radio station, Afrocentric Voices, which can be heard at: http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre She tells us of a survey on Porgy and Bess:

“Greetings!

With the approach of the 75th anniversary of the premiere of the opera, Porgy and Bess, I'm researching the changing opinions of singers, teachers, opera directors, etc., on the opera's controversial subject matter and the impact of the proviso placed by the Gershwin family restricting assignment of singing roles to African Americans--which will likely be in place until the opera enters the public domain in 2030.

“I invite you to participate in a survey regarding current thoughts on the portrayal of African Americans in Porgy and Bess and likely impact when the restrictions on singing role assignments are lifted. I’d like to get a wide range of responses from a multitude of perspectives, so please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you believe would have an interest.

The survey is available online at:

http://www.surveymethods.com/EndUser.aspx?97B3DFC596D5CACC93

“It will be open until Monday, May 24th. Its length depends entirely on the responses, especially the amount of commentary respondents add. However, the survey doesn’t need to be completed in one sitting as long as the respondent accesses it from the same computer. Thank you so much for considering this request. Randye Jones”