Alfred State College Voices has its very own ‘Composer in Residence’ this semester! She is Emma Brown-Shaklee, and we are quite pleased to have her as part of Voices! Emma is from the Canaseraga, NY area, near Alfred, and has been involved in the arts for as long as she can remember. I have known Emma for several years through vocal solo adjudications as well as conducting the Women’s All County Chorus. Emma performs often in this area; this January she had a program at the Howe Library in Wellsville and a returning engagement at the Black-Eyed-Susan Acoustic Cafe. Her performances include playing guitar, piano, french horn and voice. The songs she performs are either songs from favorite singers or from her own compositions, and when she sings, it’s a heart warming experience. One of my favorites is her rendition of “Kiss Me” by Cranberries and Sixpence None the Richer.
So, where does her Composer in Residence action come in? Good question: She has started us off on our Chorus to Chorus Project with a melody and a few lyrics. Voices members will add lyrics and add a harmony part as well so we will have a good, solid 2 part song to be given to the MacArthur Elementary School Chorus as part of Chorus to Chorus Project. It will be printed and packaged as a gift from us to them, and hopefully we will sing it together at their school. Just a reminder here: Chorus to Chorus Project was begun last semester as a way to help the MacArthur Elementary music department purchase music to replace what was lost during their massive flood in September. We will have one more fundraiser to raise funds for purchasing music in the near future.
Voices membership is full of energetic, intriguing people with whom it is a joy to work. Come Join Us!
Tor Echo 