By Tierra Doughty, Contributing Writer
On Thursday evening, Oct. 14, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Language Studies and the Arts hosted a multicultural event with the theme, “World Café” from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This event featured musical performances by the Saint Leo Singers and Saint Leo Chamber Singers along with Saint Leo’s Chamber Instruments and Rhythm Machine to accompany them as they sang songs from various cultures that pertained to many cultural traditions.
“Wen de ya ho,” meaning, “I am of the Great Spirit, it is so,” in Cherokee. “Kawouno wan gi pi, Erokamono,”, meaning, “Today we have water, thank you,” in the Dhoulo language from Kenya. “Camina, caminate sigue,” meaning, “Walk traveler, continue walking,” in Spanish.
These lyrics were among many others heard by the audience as the harmony of students and faculty members on stage echoed throughout the Lakeside Patio on campus.
Faculty, students, and families of the performers were able to sit back as they were transported across the world to places like Africa, Cuba, New Zealand, Brazil, Native America, and other locations through renditions of traditional songs sung in their native tongue and live acoustics to accompany it. The College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Language Studies and the Arts prides itself in celebrating diversity and being more inclusive to all cultures to promote community, one of Saint Leo’s core values.
Dr. Cynthia Selph, assistant professor of music, acted as the producer and main coordinator for this event in addition to picking the theme World Café.
“Actually, it was a suggestion by students,” said Selph.“At the end of the semester last spring, I asked them what you would feel really excited about singing, and they responded that they would really like to sing in other languages.”
Music is an important component of any culture because anyone can connect to the art form and find significance in its qualities. The World Café event was representative of celebrating diversity and acted as a way for the performers to connect with assorted music selections outside of their own traditions.
“We’re thinking about diversity and being more inclusive with our music choices,” Selph said. Also, the World Café event was particularly special and anticipated by many because it was one of the first in-person musical showcases since the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020. This affected many opportunities for the musicians to perform in front of a live audience while the music program had to adapt to these circumstances.
Though this was their first in-person performance in a while, passion was emitted by the multitude of music students and faculty members who glimmered with excitement at the ability to perform once again. Before their performances, three members of Saint Leo’s Chamber Singers eagerly awaited their performances and emphasized how much time and practice went into preparation.
Kylie Hamacher, a senior majoring in psychology, Ashlyn Summers, a sophomore majoring in psychology, and Gabriel Quinn, a sophomore majoring in history, are all members of Saint Leo’s Chamber Singers. According to Quinn and Hamacher, they started practicing at the start of the semester.
“These songs we started the first week of school, so it’s been about eight weeks,” Hamacher said.
Summers added, “We come together about twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays.”
There were numerous renditions of songs from assorted cultures around the world. A rendition of the song, “Come Travel with Me,” by Scott Farthing, was the opener for this event followed by “Morning Song,” by James Green, and a Yoruban folk song titled, “Mojuba,” which was arranged by Tate. Other song renditions performed at the event included “For You Alone,” by Geehl, “Lovely” by Billie Eilish, “Klezmer Party” by Mark Allaway, “Kawaouno Wan Gi Pi” by Vivian Aluoch and Vivian Anyango, “Illus Hääl” by Margrit Kits and arranged by Jeabsone,
Other songs included “The Wellerman,”a New Zealand folk song arranged by Emerson, “8 Duos for Clarinet and Double Bass Movement VI (Calypso Serenade)” by Morton Gould, “La Comparsa” by Ernesto Lecuona and arranged by Mauricio J. Rodriguez, “Desafinado” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and “Besamé Mucho” by Consuelo Velaquez with arrangements from Mauricio J. Rodriguez. As the World Café event concluded, the performers sung “Sigue,” by Cuban poet Nicholas Guillen to close out the show. After the World Café event concluded, students and many of the performers expressed high praises for the talent displayed at the event.
Charles Jackson, a sophomore majoring in marketing, gave an impassioned performance on stage as a baritone in the Chamber Singers and Rhythm Machine. Though Jackson was having voice trouble earlier that day, that did not stop him from carrying on.
“The show must go on,” Jackson said. “I really want to congratulate everyone else as well. Everyone worked hard. They put everything forward.”
Jackson gave insight into the sense of community that the music program has, and said, “We’re a team here, we work together, and one person couldn’t do it all.”
The music program gained new members in their close-knit community who were able to join this event, including skilled clarinetist, Jason Gibbs, who will be a new faculty member teaching in spring 2022. Even though Gibbs is not an official faculty member yet, he received a warm welcome to the community by being able to perform alongside the musical department and have a preview of what Saint Leo has to offer.
Gibbs was very appreciative about being granted this opportunity to joining the community at this event.
“I thank the university for inviting me out here,” he said. “I’m looking forward to starting in January, meeting new students, and becoming a part of the family.”
Student reactions to the event were also positive and did not hide the admiration they had for their talented peers. Theatre major and junior, Christina Hartzler, and freshmen cybersecurity major, Ayana Lopez, attended this event to cheer on their friends who performed.
“I thought everyone did an amazing job, and I am so proud of my friends, Julie, Sarah, and Monica,” said Hartzler.
Lopez conveyed her interests in the arts affirming, “I also came out here because I like the idea of different kinds of cultural music, the performances were pretty good.”
The music program is not finished for the year pertaining to new performances. Administrator of Events and Special Programs for the College of Arts and Sciences, Megan Case, along with the performers and faculty members were excited to announce another performance coming up.
Look out for the music program’s next concerts for winter taking place on Dec. 7. There is one performance at 4:00 p.m. and another one taking place at 7:00 p.m. in front of the clock tower. For more details and updates about future events and performances, follow @saintleocas on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
