DCINY (Distinguished Concerts International New York) presents Music for the Human Spirit in Review
Rodney Wynkoop, guest conductor
Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, DCINY Composer-in-Residence
David Cole, piano
Greg Gilpin, composer/conductor
George Hemcher, piano
Distinguished Concerts Singers International
Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
June 5, 2023
Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) ended its 2022-2023 series with a concert entitled Music for the Human Spirit. The first half took the subtitle Where We Find Ourselves, the name of the work that filled the half itself. The second half, Together We Are Better, featured seven works for younger voices, some composed/arranged by Greg Gilpin, who conducted this half, and others were old favorites. The choruses came from North Carolina, New York, Texas, Florida, Kansas, Indiana, Nevada, and Tennessee.
Rodney Wynkoop took the podium to conduct Michael Bussewitz-Quarm’s Where We Find Ourselves, with text by Shantel Sellers. Where We Find Ourselves takes its name from a photo collection book featuring imperfect (i.e., double-exposed) plates taken by photographer Hugh Mangum (1877-1922). Why Mangum saved these photos is not known, other than he believed they had value. Quoting the program notes, “We are all damaged in some way, and sometimes the world seems broken…yet even in brokenness, there is beauty. This is where we find our courage. This is where we find ourselves.“ Clocking in around twenty-five minutes, it is divided into five-movements (I. “Would you know me by my hat?” II. “Would you know me by my hair?” III. “Would you know me by my work?” IV. “Would you know me by my scars” V. “Memento Vivere”). It emerged as the work of a skilled choral composer, employing accessible tonal language without cloying consonance, clear text setting, and enough complexity to challenge listener and performer alike. It was also well within the capabilities of a good high school chorus, showing a strong understanding of the different vocal ranges.
Highlights included the performance by bass soloist Mark Garbrick in the “Would you know me by my hair?” movement. Imagine Ice and the Jets (or Tony if you prefer the 2021 West Side Story) singing “Cool” in the middle of a church service spiritual. “Would you know me by my scars?”, with soloists Brooke Sullivan and Q Davis, had a very unsettling quality that was hauntingly effective. It was far and away my favorite part of this work. Let’s not overlook soprano soloist Alyssa Anzelmo, whose lovely voice filled the hall in the “Would you know me by my work?” movement. Kudos to Maestro Wynkoop and the chorus for their excellent performance, and to Ms. Bussewitz-Quarm, who was in attendance and stood to receive congratulations and applause from the audience.
It is regrettable that the photos that inspired this work were not projected for the audience to view.. It would have added an additional layer of context that might have helped the listener gain a deeper understanding. One can view the pictures by visiting the following site: Where We Find Ourselves- Mangum portraits.
After a very short (and the fastest stage reset in my thirteen years of reviewing DCINY) pause, Greg Gilpin took the stage. A DCINY favorite (this being Mr. Gilpin’s seventh appearance with DCINY), Mr. Gilpin is something of a magician with young singers. I have mentioned his avuncular qualities in past reviews, but that is probably an oversimplification of his talents. He is “all in” – cajoling, gyrating, singing along, whatever it takes to coax these youngsters to heights they probably never imagined possible. As an old and crusty music critic, such choral performances can be trite and tiresome (the obligatory handclapping while singing and the choreographed sways), but as a human being, it is enchanting. It is like I have two hundred kids, and I am proud of each and every one of them. Accordingly, I am not going to do the usual “critic” thing, other than to acknowledge soloist Leah Crane for “rocking the house” with her impassioned performance.
For the sake of completeness- the selections were as follows: Music Gloria! (Hayes/Martin), Yeish Kochavom (Tunick), Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe (arr. Gilpin), Together We are Better (When We Sing) (Gilpin), Pilgrim Song (arr. Murphy), Dry Bones (arr. Hayes), and How Can I Keep From Singing? (Gilpin).
The hall erupted in a loud and raucous standing ovation for their stars. As Mr. Gilpin said before the final number, “They are our future,” as he pointed to the youth on stage. Maybe the future is brighter than I might have imagined. Congratulations to all.
