The following is a republished press release … to submit community announcements to The Voice, contact us at jstein@ithacavoice.com.
[fvplayer src=”https://vimeo.com/127071208″ loop=”false” autoplay=”true” mobile=”https://vimeo.com/127071208″]
INHS
Become an educated home buyer
Ithaca, NY– On Saturday July 25, 2015, Philomelle, a new chorus for all voices, will present its first concert, Breaking Waves: Women Singer-Songwriters of the 60s and 70s at 8:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Ithaca’s Dewitt Park at 309 North Cayuga Street. Admission is free.
The program will include all of Joni Mitchell’s evocative album Court and Spark, as well as songs by Laura Nyro and Janis Ian. Mitchell’s classic 1974 record about searching for love and success in Los Angeles. Although the album has a specific setting, a current listener can identify with the themes of freedom and loneliness. Original arrangements by Ithaca College alumnus Tom Peters add a contemporary choral sound to Mitchell’s catchy jazz-pop. Ithaca native Lilly Katz is creating choreography for the concert to bring these well-crafted hits to life.
Philomelle successfully completed an Indiegogo campaign to purchase performance rights for the songs. As part of that effort, Janis Ian will use Peters’ arrangement of “Society’s Child” to raise money for the Pearl Foundation, her not-for-profit to support education. In exchange, she is allowing Philomelle to perform the song at no cost.
Likewise, the performers are donating their time. “For us it’s a labor of love to bring these songs to life and to our community in a fresh way,” said Peters. Philomelle is dedicated to performing music written by women.
Peters is the accompanist for two Ithaca College choruses: Voices Multicultural Chorus and the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers. He also sings and serves as accompanist for the Ithaca Gay Men’s Chorus.
Katz graduated from Mt. Holyoke this spring, with a double major in biology and dance. She has most recently directed and choreographed a production of “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” for a mostly female cast.
The First Baptist Church is allowing Philomelle to perform in their space on 309 North Cayuga Street free of charge. The concert will take place there, on July 25 at 8:00 PM.