Musicians respond to injustice
Katherine Smalley
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Culture
John Sampen and Marilyn Shrude, music professors at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, will present their original program, "Voices of Dissent," Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall of the UTC Fine Arts Center.
The program will focus on responses to issues such as injustice, corruption, violence and racism from the perspectives of 21st century musicians.
According to Sampen, those topics are often addressed in the visual arts, but musicians have a responsibility to take a stand as well.
"The study and performance of music requires constant rehearsal and practice,
comprising a discipline that often distracts the musician from cultural problems of the environment, world peace, pollution, racism and world poverty," he wrote in an e-mail.
According to Sampen, he and Shrude have two main purposes in presenting the program.
"First, we wish to encourage our listeners and fellow musicians to take a personal
stance-whatever that stance may be-on current cultural issues," he wrote. "Our audience, and perhaps a majority of American citizens, are far too passive in expressing
informed opinions."
Sampen and Shrude also hope their unique approach to musical performance will attract and excite audiences and sustain an interest in their art, according to Sampen.
"Even in the year 2008, most classical musicians perform old music in conventional recitals with little change of custom, dress or literature, echoing the traditions of the past 100 years," he explained.
"Our musical 'experiment' at Chattanooga involves the use of poetry, electronics, visual projections, lighting and theatre in helping us find new ways of sharing our musical passions," he said.
The performance at UTC will be the second time the program has been presented. It will debut Monday at Appalachian State University.
"Each work has separately been part of our repertoire but never before assembled in
The program will focus on responses to issues such as injustice, corruption, violence and racism from the perspectives of 21st century musicians.
According to Sampen, those topics are often addressed in the visual arts, but musicians have a responsibility to take a stand as well.
"The study and performance of music requires constant rehearsal and practice,
comprising a discipline that often distracts the musician from cultural problems of the environment, world peace, pollution, racism and world poverty," he wrote in an e-mail.
According to Sampen, he and Shrude have two main purposes in presenting the program.
"First, we wish to encourage our listeners and fellow musicians to take a personal
stance-whatever that stance may be-on current cultural issues," he wrote. "Our audience, and perhaps a majority of American citizens, are far too passive in expressing
informed opinions."
Sampen and Shrude also hope their unique approach to musical performance will attract and excite audiences and sustain an interest in their art, according to Sampen.
"Even in the year 2008, most classical musicians perform old music in conventional recitals with little change of custom, dress or literature, echoing the traditions of the past 100 years," he explained.
"Our musical 'experiment' at Chattanooga involves the use of poetry, electronics, visual projections, lighting and theatre in helping us find new ways of sharing our musical passions," he said.
The performance at UTC will be the second time the program has been presented. It will debut Monday at Appalachian State University.
"Each work has separately been part of our repertoire but never before assembled in
