For more than 25 years, Ysaye M. Barnwell and George Brandon have been building a vocal community at Omega. Each year, their workshop is a gathering of former workshop participants and a celebration for those joining the class for the first time.
This is a rare opportunity to be part of a community, and a member of a large and welcoming choir where no experience is necessary.
During this 5-day workshop, we explore African-American history and culture through a wide range of vocal music, including African-American congregational and choral traditions, chants from Africa and the diaspora, spirituals, blues, gospel, and music of the Civil Rights movement and contemporary struggles. It is also a wonderful opportunity to experience the joys of finding our own voice.
Discussions of the social, political, and spiritual contexts for the songs—taught in the oral tradition—enhance the experience of the music.
Limited enrollment, please register early.
Musician, actress, and educator Ysaye M. Barnwell, PhD, MSPH, has performed as a member of the internationally acclaimed a cappella quintet Sweet Honey in the Rock since 1979. vocalcommunity.com
George Brandon, PhD, is a musician and anthropologist whose musical roots began with guitar lessons from his father. He is director of sociomedical sciences at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, City University of New York.
