Adia Lowther: Cultural Expansion: Attending Performances (1-3 points)

 

On October 4th, I went to the Morehouse Glee Club Lowcountry Concert in Charleston, South Carolina. The main theme was celebrating the Gullah-Geechee culture and the African diaspora through song. They sang songs such as "Baby in a Blue Guinea Gown" and "Rockin' Jerusalem", songs created by African-American composers that capture the essence of the Deep South. I loved this concert, and I was able to hear new songs to listen to and dissect. I also found it interesting that the Dock Street Theatre, built in 1736, was the first building constructed exclusively for theatrical performance in America. I connected the performances to topics I learned about in Africa Diaspora and the World class, such as griots and African storytellers. They were able to pass down stories orally, as enslaved people and their descendants did through song. 

Some of the key points of the performance were showing the interconnectedness of the diaspora through the songs we share. It expanded my thinking by demonstrating this concept in their performance. This concert contributed to my personal growth by expanding my cultural understanding and my musical tastes. I learned that when I listen to songs, I feel it in my mind, creating images and pictures that help me feel the essence and emotions of their performance. I can apply this by using it as a meditation practice, listening to cultural songs, and letting them move through me. 

The main strength of the performance was the audience. Most of them were Morehouse alumni, and some even participated in the glee club while students. One weakness of the event was the lack of printed programs. It was difficult to follow the performance and research songs for my own use.  I would improve the concert by having these printed programs. This concert connects to the knowledge I have gained about music as it pertains to African Americans. Songs are not just notes; they are history. I aspire to be a Renaissance woman, knowledgeable in both science and art. This concert is just one of the many steps I have and will take. I will build on this experience by going to concerts from other cultures as well.

Adia Lowther