SWEET FREEDOM’S SONG

Cherry Picks American Music for Debut Recital

This fall, the Department of Music was fortunate enough to welcome several new faculty to our family. One of the chosen few new musicians is Dr. Nicole Cherry, Assistant Professor of Violin. Cherry, who is the second violinist in the Marian Anderson String Quartet and a Juilliard graduate, brings her fresh insight and energy to the department’s string faculty and fills a position that has been vacant for years.

This month, Cherry will present a combination performance and lecture titled, “Sweet Freedom’s Song: A Fantasia on America”. The event is the kind of collaborative endeavor that she thrives on, and in only a few weeks time, has enabled her to create a cohesive bond with her colleagues.

“First and foremost, I wanted to interact with my new colleagues and students. One of the many great things about joining the UTSA faculty is the camaraderie and support that was obvious immediately upon stepping off the plane for my interview.”

She was constantly mindful of the challenges involved in performing safely during the pandemic but knew that she wanted to connect with her peers and prove that the arts have always found a way to facilitate togetherness. The pieces she chose to perform were purposeful in reflecting the general music disciplines: keyboard, strings, winds, voice, and percussion.

The music on the program was inspired by a piece by Afro-European violin virtuoso, George Bridgetower. The composition was based on “God Save the King,” and was commissioned for a royal celebration in 1809.

“I thought about how inspiring it was for a man of color in the 19th century to possess hope in a society that really had no place for him,” stated Cherry. “We know the very famous text by Samuel Francis Smith but what I learned is there are over 200 versions that have been used for this melody worldwide.

The recital’s eponymous piece “Sweet Freedom’s Song: Fantasia on America” was commissioned by Dr. Cherry’s friend and colleague John Cornelius, composition faculty at Prairie View A&M University. It features Cherry on violin, Tracy Cowden on piano, and baritone Christopher Besch. “The piece is a culmination of the many texts that have been used with the very popular theme, “My Country tis of Thee”, some of it sobering and some uplifting. It is a history lesson within itself, I also believe there a conviction of hope and perseverance within it, too, “ said Cherry.

Additional offerings on the program represent the musical treasury that is American music: the blues, choro, and Gospel as well as the traditional sounds of Appalachian and indigenous people. Sharing the stage with Dr. Cherry are guitarist, Dr. Isaac Bustos, trumpeter, Dr. Oswaldo Zapata, and three UTSA string students: Adam Garza, Allison Hayes, and Rolando Ramon. Before the final bow, a “surprise” encore that includes Sherry Rubins will cap the evening.

The recital will be live-streamed via the Department of Music Facebook page on Friday, November 20 at 4:30 pm.