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Further your craft as gospel voice singers and/or choir
leaders/conductors.
Work with world leaders in the field in a non-stressful, open environment of small groups and solo singing.
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Gain a broader understanding of your gospel voice, and will gain an
added opportunity to blend your voice with a wide variety of styles
within this genre.
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Gain a variety of perspectives in empowering voices through attitude
development and application of mind, body and spirit as applied to this
music.
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Focus on conducting, group arrangement and most importantly, inter group
dynamics.
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Develop a broader understanding of personal vocal and technique,
specifically, better understanding of range, vibrato style and proper
use of the instrument.
- Gain an improved sense a variety of historic and topical styles.
This class is designed for all singers interested in and experienced with the gospel music tradition. It is recommended that singers have at least minimal knowledge of their vocal range, key, and pitch, and some experience with organized, directed, or group singing such as school or church choirs. Choir leaders are to have experience with choir direction, have an understanding of the teaching of vocal harmonies and blended voice, an understanding of the rehearsal and performance preparation process, and an ability to understand musical terms, keys and the integration of the voice with a variety of instruments such as piano, organ, guitar etc.
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Submit a letter (approximately 200 word, typewritten) indicating your
interest in the singing or directing phase of the workshop. Include
your musical background/experience, vocal range (alto tenor, etc.), and
what you hope to achieve from this course. For singers, please submit
an audio tape or CD with a 1 minute sampling of your singing voice. For
choir leaders, submit a current resume with references regarding your
professional or semi professional background.
- Send the materials listed in Step One and your completed Registration Form to the Summer Arts Registration Office by Monday, May 19, 2008.
Professor Thomas-Whit Ellis
CSU Fresno
thomee@csufresno.edu
559-278-2646
Undergraduate: MUSIC 423, 3 units
Graduate: MUSIC 623, 3 units
none
Edwin Hawkins
A trailblazing force behind the evolution of the contemporary gospel sound, Edwin Hawkins remains best known for his 1969 classic Oh Happy Day, one of the biggest gospel hits of all time and a major pop radio smash as well. Born in Oakland, CA in 1943, he began singing in his church youth choir while still a toddler, and by age five was playing piano. Just two years later, he assumed full-time piano accompaniment duties for the family gospel group, making their recording debut in 1957.
A decade later, Mr. Hawkins and Betty Watson co-founded the Northern California State Youth Choir, drawing on the finest soloists from throughout the Bay Area to build the 50-member ensemble, which soon entered the studio to cut the 1968 LP Let Us Go into the House of the Lord, its modern, R&B -influenced production pointing the way to a new era in gospel recording.
Among the highlights of Let Us Go into the House of the Lord was the track Oh Happy Day, which unexpectedly found a home on underground FM play lists across San Francisco. The single soon began earning airplay on mainstream R&B and pop outlets across the country, and in the spring of 1969 it reached the U.S. Top Five on its way to selling an astounding seven million copies and taking home a Grammy award. At this time the choir was rechristened the Edwin Hawkins Singers, although the featured voice on Oh Happy Day belonged to singer Dorothy Combs Morrison, who soon exited in pursuit of a solo career.
In 1970 the ensemble made a return appearance on the pop charts in support of Melanie on her hit Lay Down (Candle in the Wind). Mr. Hawkins remained a critical favorite, and in 1972 the Singers won a second Grammy for Every Man Wants to Be Free. Recording prolifically throughout the remainder of the decade, in 1980 they won a third Grammy for Wonderful. A fourth for If You Love Me, followed three years later.
In 1982 the Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar was founded. It is an annual week-long convention that offers workshops exploring all facets of the gospel industry and culminating each year with a live performance by the assembled mass choir. The 2002 Love Fellowship Mass Choir included hundreds of representatives from the United States, Europe, and Japan. (www.edwinhawkins.tv)
A trailblazing force behind the evolution of the contemporary gospel sound, Edwin Hawkins remains best known for his 1969 classic Oh Happy Day, one of the biggest gospel hits of all time and a major pop radio smash as well. Born in Oakland, CA in 1943, he began singing in his church youth choir while still a toddler, and by age five was playing piano. Just two years later, he assumed full-time piano accompaniment duties for the family gospel group, making their recording debut in 1957.
A decade later, Mr. Hawkins and Betty Watson co-founded the Northern California State Youth Choir, drawing on the finest soloists from throughout the Bay Area to build the 50-member ensemble, which soon entered the studio to cut the 1968 LP Let Us Go into the House of the Lord, its modern, R&B -influenced production pointing the way to a new era in gospel recording.
Among the highlights of Let Us Go into the House of the Lord was the track Oh Happy Day, which unexpectedly found a home on underground FM play lists across San Francisco. The single soon began earning airplay on mainstream R&B and pop outlets across the country, and in the spring of 1969 it reached the U.S. Top Five on its way to selling an astounding seven million copies and taking home a Grammy award. At this time the choir was rechristened the Edwin Hawkins Singers, although the featured voice on Oh Happy Day belonged to singer Dorothy Combs Morrison, who soon exited in pursuit of a solo career.
In 1970 the ensemble made a return appearance on the pop charts in support of Melanie on her hit Lay Down (Candle in the Wind). Mr. Hawkins remained a critical favorite, and in 1972 the Singers won a second Grammy for Every Man Wants to Be Free. Recording prolifically throughout the remainder of the decade, in 1980 they won a third Grammy for Wonderful. A fourth for If You Love Me, followed three years later.
In 1982 the Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar was founded. It is an annual week-long convention that offers workshops exploring all facets of the gospel industry and culminating each year with a live performance by the assembled mass choir. The 2002 Love Fellowship Mass Choir included hundreds of representatives from the United States, Europe, and Japan. (www.edwinhawkins.tv)
James Hall
He is the founder of the gospel singing ensemble Worship & Praise whose debut album soared to the top of the Billboard charts and marked him as a major force on the New York choir scene. He is most known for the killer vibratos and twister harmonies found in the best of today's gospel music.
It is no wonder choirs all across the nation duplicate his music, as his music is loved as a 21st century antidote for Church-Tradition-Transcended. Mr. Hall is the skillful singer, director, and composer among those often talked about. He has worked with the world's top artists: Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, and others.
Mr. Hall's most recent accomplishments include the live recording at Foxwoods Casino and Resorts, where he unveiled his latest compositions of James Hall and Worship & Praise. This project has been long awaited, and is bound to be a number seller in the music industry. Live at Foxwoods was recently released on Mr. Hall's new label MusicBlend. (www.jhwap.com)
He is the founder of the gospel singing ensemble Worship & Praise whose debut album soared to the top of the Billboard charts and marked him as a major force on the New York choir scene. He is most known for the killer vibratos and twister harmonies found in the best of today's gospel music.
It is no wonder choirs all across the nation duplicate his music, as his music is loved as a 21st century antidote for Church-Tradition-Transcended. Mr. Hall is the skillful singer, director, and composer among those often talked about. He has worked with the world's top artists: Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, and others.
Mr. Hall's most recent accomplishments include the live recording at Foxwoods Casino and Resorts, where he unveiled his latest compositions of James Hall and Worship & Praise. This project has been long awaited, and is bound to be a number seller in the music industry. Live at Foxwoods was recently released on Mr. Hall's new label MusicBlend. (www.jhwap.com)
Christopher St. James
Choir director with a number of church and community choirs.
Choir director with a number of church and community choirs.
