FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 4/8/09
Morgan Arts Council . Berkeley Springs, WV
www.macicehouse.org - 304-258-2300
PRESS CONTACT: Mary Hott -- mary@macicehouse.org
SING TRADITIONAL GOSPEL MUSIC IN BERKELEY SPRINGS
BERKELEY SPRING, WV ---- April 25 and 26 is the Good News Gospel
Weekend in Berkeley Springs when gospel music master Eric Byrd comes
to town for workshops and a concert. Saturday's workshops are
targeted to individual singers and musicians as well as choir members
with sessions where people learn to sing, accompany and direct
traditional black gospel music styles. Sunday at 3pm, Byrd brings his
McDaniel College Gospel Choir to perform along with attendees of the
Saturday workshops. All activities of the weekend are in the Berkeley
Springs High School auditorium.
"Just ask any amateur or even professional singer and you'll find that
most got their start singing in church," says Mary Hott, Executive
Director of the Morgan Arts Council -- and an R&B singer who sang the
Morgan County Methodist church circuit throughout high school. "The
opportunity to work with a world class teacher and performer like Eric
Byrd is one no musician should miss no matter what their ethnicity."
Hott goes on to point out that gospel music, along with blues, formed
the basis of nearly all pop music styles in existence today. "Every
musician and singer who plays in any musical style from country and
bluegrass to rock to classical should take advantage of the
opportunity Eric offers to experience the heart and soul of gospel.
Then they can use it to influence their own musical style if they want."
There are four distinct workshops on Saturday. From 9 to 11am, the
topic is how to get started in gospel music for singers, accompanists
and choir directors. From 11am to noon, Byrd fields questions at a
bring-your-own brown bag lunch. A youth singer's workshop happens
from noon to 2pm. The afternoon concludes with a gospel concert
workshop from 2 to 4pm to prepare for the Sunday performance.
"Anyone who wants to sing with the McDainel College Choir on Sunday
needs to attend at least this final workshop," says Hott.
Pre-registration can be done at the Ice House, the Morgan County
Library or online at www.macicehouse.org. "We want people to pre-
register so we can provide them with all the details," says Hott.
The Gospel Music Weekend is part of the Morgan Arts Council's yearlong
Back To Our Roots celebration of music, dance, folklore and visual
arts inspired by the Smithsonian Institution's "New Harmonies"
exhibition of roots music on display at the Ice House in Berkeley
Springs from April 11 through May 22. "For America, gospel is the
essence of roots music," says Hott.
Eric Byrd recently wowed a sold-out audience at the Ice House with a
Ray Charles Tribute concert. Along with his impressive resume as a
jazz pianist and vocalist, Byrd has been a Minister of Music at two
black churches as well as directing the McDaniel College Gospel Choir.
Sunday's concert is free and open to the public. A goodwill offering
will be collected to help cover transportation costs for the college
choir. Morgan Sanitation is the local sponsor of the Gospel Weekend.
Other funding assistance comes from the National Endowment for the
Arts, WV Commission on the Arts and local hotel/motel tax funds.
For more information, call 304-258-2300.
For more information about the "Roots" activities, check online at www.macicehouse.org
or call 304-258-2300. The Ice House is located at the corner of
Independence and Mercer in downtown Berkeley Springs.
For a full schedule of Back To Our Roots activities, visit www.macicehouse.org or call 304-258-2300. The Ice House is located at Independence and Mercer in downtown Berkeley Springs.
Saturday, April 11 - 7:30pm. Gala opening New Harmonies exhibition @ the Ice House. Sponsored by: CNB, Kesecker Realty and War Memorial Hospital.
Wednesday, April 15 - 7pm Roots Music Film Series: I’m Not There - The Bob Dylan Story. Film @ the Ice House; discussion to follow @ Fairfax Coffee House, sponsor of the film series.
Saturday, April 18 - 7:30pm Concert and talk: pianist and narrator Bill Messenger and tenor Alan Gephardt present the music of George Gershwin as he would have played it. @ the Ice House.
Saturday and Sunday, April 25 & 26 - Gospel Music weekend with workshops and performances by Eric Byrd, the McDaniel College Choir and local choir members. Sunday, 3pm performance @ Berkeley Springs High School auditorium.
Sponsored by Morgan Sanitation.
Friday, May 1-- 7:30pm Gala opening Delectable Mountains Quilt Show and Sale @ the Ice House. Show hangs though June 7
Saturday, May 9 - 7:30pm & Sunday, May 10 - 3pm. Piecework - staged readings of locally written plays with quilting themes. @ the Ice House.
Wednesday, May 20 - 7pm. Roots Music Film Series: Walk the Line - Johnny Cash and June Carter.. Film @ the Ice House; discussion to follow @ Fairfax Coffee House, sponsor of the film series.
Friday, May 22 - Final day for New Harmonies exhibit. Sponsored by: CNB, Kesecker Realty and War Memorial Hospital.
Saturday, May 23 - 3pm. Lecture: Jazz History w/Dr. Chris Wilkinson, WVU @Ice House
