2 minute read
Missouri State University Chorale Cameron LaBarr (p
Missouri State University Chorale
Cameron LaBarr
“History is written by the victors…”
In societal struggles, those who “come out on top” seem to get to choose what is taught as history. With respect to racial matters in the United States, the struggles of people of color have simply not been a significant part of historical studies in American schools. The immense failure of Reconstruction on Black people in America is the cataclysm that is most pertinent to the retelling of Easter, 1906.
Lynchings were a deeply disturbing and immoral method of dominating, primarily, Black people and terrorizing them into submission. Behind these exercises in mob violence lay frequently invented claims of crimes. Easter, 1906 recounts one such event that took place in Springfield, Missouri, over Easter weekend, 1906. Poet Robert Bode has collected material from historical documents of the period and created new poems that reflect upon this tragic event. In turn, Bode’s words are here set to music by composer William Averitt for double choir, spoken narration, piano four-hands, and two percussionists.
The Missouri State University Chorale is the flagship choral ensemble at Missouri State University (MSU). Cameron F. LaBarr is director of choral studies at MSU where he leads a comprehensive choral program. Choirs under his direction have been selected for performance at state, regional, national, and international conferences and festivals. Dr. LaBarr has worked as guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Robert Bode is a noted teacher, award-winning conductor, and prize-winning poet. He is currently Visiting Professor of Choral Music at The Ohio State University, and has served on the music faculties of the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. His first volume of lyric poetry, Crickets and Commas, is published by GIA Publications.
William Averitt is the composer of numerous works that have received performances throughout the United States and worldwide. He has received numerous composer fellowships, grants, and commissions from a wide variety of sources across the country. Dr. Averitt is Professor Emeritus of Music and formerly Coordinator of Composition at Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.
