Many of you have you heard by now about jazz-vocalist Rene Marie and her performance for a civic ceremony in the city of Denver where she extrapolated the lyrics of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" otherwise known as the Black National anthem and placed them firmly in the melody of the "Star Spangled Banner." There was a whole bunch of WOO-HAA about it. It turned into a BIG deal. People on the political right thought she desecrated a national institution. She was called all sorts of things. Selfish. Dishonest. Unethical. That's where my opinion stands. I believe what she did was unethical.
Let me preface by saying that I have NO PROBLEM at all with her melding the 2 pieces. It's a hip idea and why not explore the politics and the "exclusivity", as Rene herself put it, inherently involved in their respective texts. It's a fair and just question and worthy of exploration. I'm personally thrilled that she is probing these 'heavy' tunes, making folks uncomfortable. I love that!
Yet I didn't think her choice of venue was appropriate for such a statement. In this case her performance was purely a function that any qualified singer could have executed. This is a case when the job is not about her or her political viewpoint but simply to perform a function at a civic event. After the organizers phoned to offer the performance, Rene took a day to think about it and called back accepting their terms with no mention of her intention to join the songs.
I went to Rene's website - renemarie.com and I admire her candor and her well-thought out explanation about what she did and her right as an artist to make these sorts of statements.
To me her statement is NOT an artistic one, it is a political one. If it were an artistic statement, why not pick the type of forum where the message would be better received. As a working musician, my word is the best thing I've got. If I accept work, I believe it just right to do what was agreed upon. There's no shame in honoring an agreement and art has nothing to do with that. The irony is this is a potentially great message that most didn't hear because of the presentation Rene chose.I wonder why she didn't tell the organizers what she was going to do and does she think it's right to deceive anyone who offers her a gig? She too is a band leader in her own right. How would she feel if someone she hires decided to make their own "artistic statment" in the middle of a performance. Would she be open to that?
Just my 2 cents...
More stuff to read, hear and view:
To access one report:
http://undercoverblackman.blogspot.com/2008/07/embarrassing-race.html
an NPR interview with René:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92280877
And here's the clip:
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Student Testimonials
"You make me feel safe to explore my own voice and guide me toward finding whatever I would like to do with my talents. That is a rarity in a teacher as many will try to put there style or wants for you on you, you however adapt to what you think I need. That is the best part of being your student; the freedom and safety you give me to learn. " - Kia
"As a beginner, I couldn't have asked for a better teacher than Fay. She is not only extremely knowledgeable regarding technique, but also highly intuitive when it comes to tapping into the creative and mental blocks that keep us from realizing our full potential. Because of her compassionate and encouraging nature, opening up and trying new things with my voice has been much less scary than I had imagined, and even therapeutic for the soul."-Kristin
"Your philosophies on voice really appeal to me. Your views on artistic interpretation and what makes a great vocalist is why I decided to start studying with you. It makes me want to work harder to learn the rules so that I can break them!"
"For me, singing is such a personal experience that trust is a big issue. And I've come to the point in our lessons that I truly trust you and value your advice. I look forward to many many more lessons and great things to come" --Lucy Paynter
"You've taught me that a song isn't simply something to sing, but something to feel and interpret as your own. You've also helped me a great deal with my confidence and performance anxiety. You've made me look forward to my voice lessons instead of fearing them! The biggest thing that I can thank you for is helping me to find a deeper appreciation for music. Thank you!" --Asiyah
I learned so much about my voice. I feel freer with the use of my voice now. Thank you!" --Heleen
I loved working with you. You're one of the best teachers I've ever had."--Wendy
You helped me understand certain vocal needs and diciplines and helped me develop better vocal habits. You treated me as a person and supported and encouraged my development as a singer. You helped me find my own voice which was very important to me. -- Azito
"As a beginner, I couldn't have asked for a better teacher than Fay. She is not only extremely knowledgeable regarding technique, but also highly intuitive when it comes to tapping into the creative and mental blocks that keep us from realizing our full potential. Because of her compassionate and encouraging nature, opening up and trying new things with my voice has been much less scary than I had imagined, and even therapeutic for the soul."-Kristin
"Your philosophies on voice really appeal to me. Your views on artistic interpretation and what makes a great vocalist is why I decided to start studying with you. It makes me want to work harder to learn the rules so that I can break them!"
"For me, singing is such a personal experience that trust is a big issue. And I've come to the point in our lessons that I truly trust you and value your advice. I look forward to many many more lessons and great things to come" --Lucy Paynter
"You've taught me that a song isn't simply something to sing, but something to feel and interpret as your own. You've also helped me a great deal with my confidence and performance anxiety. You've made me look forward to my voice lessons instead of fearing them! The biggest thing that I can thank you for is helping me to find a deeper appreciation for music. Thank you!" --Asiyah
I learned so much about my voice. I feel freer with the use of my voice now. Thank you!" --Heleen
I loved working with you. You're one of the best teachers I've ever had."--Wendy
You helped me understand certain vocal needs and diciplines and helped me develop better vocal habits. You treated me as a person and supported and encouraged my development as a singer. You helped me find my own voice which was very important to me. -- Azito
Workshop Scene: What's on Offer
Let’s Get Started!
A workshop focused on helping the budding vocalists with the rudiments of performing in public and leading an ensemble. Some of the issues covered include but aren’t limited to: microphone technique, calling tempos, repertoire development
counting in, writing lead sheets picking the right key for a song, intros and endings and band interplay. Open to all vocalists. Musical accompaniment is provided for this workshop.
Find your Sound: Improvising in Music + Life
is an empowering workshop to help students find validity in their voices and thoughts,to feel free to express that in the songs they sing and the musical choices they make. This workshop supplies tools to help students find and develop
their voices with authenticity.The workshop begins with a discussion of the philosophical and real life leading into practical applications and experiments along the way to finding the voice and the sounds that’s truly theirs. This workshop is open to all levels.
You, the Song and the Music
You want to sing this song as opposed to that song. Why? No worries lets work it out here where we’ll delve deeper into your song choices and to open up more choices for your interpretation. This workshop is for groups of 4 or more and is for students with performance experience. Private view consultations for “You and the Song” are also available.
Free Soul Flight
This workshop is given in partner ship with hypnotist Franka Fiala and we've joined together to share the world of hypnotherapy, chakras, voice work and unleashing communicative powers through the voice + the opening of self through hypnosis. We strive to help our participants develop a deeper connection with their audiences and relationships with the use of probing interactive exercises and hypnosis. More about Franka at www.frankafiala.com and check out our blog for updates on upcoming workshops and more information about Free Soul Flight: www.fayfranka.blogspot.com.
Senior Vocals
A special workshop offered to senior groups to delve into the joy of singing with an aging voice. Gentle technical excises focused on breathe support and ease of delivery. In addition the life experience of senior student is a goldmine of rich experiences for students to draw upon as an entrée into song interpretation. What beautiful sounds can erupt full of depth of feeling in this workshop. This workshop is best suited to groups of 8 or more.
Jazz History Rewind
In this workshop, I take an unconventional approach to jazz history by starting in the present and going back as far as time and students allow. We start with the music of today and with students’ perception of what jazz is to them. We discuss this through playing recordings and through the music that students’ themselves bring to the discussion. We search for bridges with the music students’ associate with jazz
and start making links to “traditional jazz” heroes all along letting the students lead the way back.
Improvising Words & Sounds!
A workshop designed for kids developed through a residence I have with Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning. This seven-week course, taught to 2nd-graders, is an adventure in words, music and sounds for students. The goal of the course is for children to experience music making and the lyrics that accompany so much modern music in an organic, open environment where they are free to express themselves and delve into their own ideas about the words they use and the fun involved in making music in the moment. In this workshops children write their own lyrics and the other classmates improvise musical sounds to accompany the lyric/melody. We touch on rhythm, harmony, melody and lyric making in an interactive form.
What's listed here is a brief overview of workshops I have on offer - for more information including rates, scheduling and any other questions, please contact: lessons@fayvictor.com
A workshop focused on helping the budding vocalists with the rudiments of performing in public and leading an ensemble. Some of the issues covered include but aren’t limited to: microphone technique, calling tempos, repertoire development
counting in, writing lead sheets picking the right key for a song, intros and endings and band interplay. Open to all vocalists. Musical accompaniment is provided for this workshop.
Find your Sound: Improvising in Music + Life
is an empowering workshop to help students find validity in their voices and thoughts,to feel free to express that in the songs they sing and the musical choices they make. This workshop supplies tools to help students find and develop
their voices with authenticity.The workshop begins with a discussion of the philosophical and real life leading into practical applications and experiments along the way to finding the voice and the sounds that’s truly theirs. This workshop is open to all levels.
You, the Song and the Music
You want to sing this song as opposed to that song. Why? No worries lets work it out here where we’ll delve deeper into your song choices and to open up more choices for your interpretation. This workshop is for groups of 4 or more and is for students with performance experience. Private view consultations for “You and the Song” are also available.
Free Soul Flight
This workshop is given in partner ship with hypnotist Franka Fiala and we've joined together to share the world of hypnotherapy, chakras, voice work and unleashing communicative powers through the voice + the opening of self through hypnosis. We strive to help our participants develop a deeper connection with their audiences and relationships with the use of probing interactive exercises and hypnosis. More about Franka at www.frankafiala.com and check out our blog for updates on upcoming workshops and more information about Free Soul Flight: www.fayfranka.blogspot.com.
Senior Vocals
A special workshop offered to senior groups to delve into the joy of singing with an aging voice. Gentle technical excises focused on breathe support and ease of delivery. In addition the life experience of senior student is a goldmine of rich experiences for students to draw upon as an entrée into song interpretation. What beautiful sounds can erupt full of depth of feeling in this workshop. This workshop is best suited to groups of 8 or more.
Jazz History Rewind
In this workshop, I take an unconventional approach to jazz history by starting in the present and going back as far as time and students allow. We start with the music of today and with students’ perception of what jazz is to them. We discuss this through playing recordings and through the music that students’ themselves bring to the discussion. We search for bridges with the music students’ associate with jazz
and start making links to “traditional jazz” heroes all along letting the students lead the way back.
Improvising Words & Sounds!
A workshop designed for kids developed through a residence I have with Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning. This seven-week course, taught to 2nd-graders, is an adventure in words, music and sounds for students. The goal of the course is for children to experience music making and the lyrics that accompany so much modern music in an organic, open environment where they are free to express themselves and delve into their own ideas about the words they use and the fun involved in making music in the moment. In this workshops children write their own lyrics and the other classmates improvise musical sounds to accompany the lyric/melody. We touch on rhythm, harmony, melody and lyric making in an interactive form.
What's listed here is a brief overview of workshops I have on offer - for more information including rates, scheduling and any other questions, please contact: lessons@fayvictor.com
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