I, Too, Sing America
starring Sabrina Coleman Clark
Concert featuring African-American composers, arrangers & poets"I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother." |
Langston Hughes |
"I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother." |
Langston Hughes |
There's nothing like a song to tell the story of people and their heritage. "I, Too, Sing America" is an inspiring program of vocal music sung by soprano Sabrina Coleman Clark, showcasing some of the finest American music composed or arranged by African-Americans. From the yearnings found in spirituals to extraordinary classical compositions, African-American composers and poets have successfully expressed the thoughts and feelings of millions of Americans. This delightful program includes traditional Negro spirituals, music of renown African-American female composers, settings of Langston Hughes and a powerful setting of Martin Luther King's speech, "I Have a Dream" by Lee Hoiby. Audiences will love this incredible presentation of exquisite songs composed by Margaret Bonds, Moses Hogan, etc. and sung with the refined artistry of Sabrina Coleman Clark.
Target audience: All ages (can be customized for middle and high school, as well as family audiences and discerning concert-goers)
Room: May be performed on a proscenium or thrust stage, or in more informal settings such as classrooms
Program length: 15 minutes to 90 minutes (Full length program or as a segment in existing programs or events)
"… this artist is one of the most outstanding." |
Baltimore Times, Baltimore, MD |
"[Sabrina Coleman Clark] inspires as she makes singing look easy." |
Takoma Voice, Takoma Park, MD |
"Ms. Coleman Clark consistently produces a first rate performance every time." |
Dorothy Lofton Jones, Artistic Director, Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore |
"As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might." |
Marian Anderson |
The story of Marian Anderson is one of a true American hero. Confronted with many obstacles, Marian Anderson proved that with talent, perseverance and hope, dreams can come true.
This exceptional program, brought to life by Sabrina Coleman Clark, is sure to thrill and inspire audiences young and old. As Ms. Coleman Clark tells the tale of Marian Anderson and sings the songs Marian knew so well, she is accompanied by a live pianist and an array of dazzling projected historical images. Audiences will be captivated as they learn about this American hero and how significant historical events not only changed her life, but the lives of all Americans.
Legacy of Hope: The Marian Anderson Story is guaranteed to entertain as well as educate. While audiences peer back into the history of America, they will enjoy hearing masterful classical vocal music, including arias by Puccini and Verdi as well as Spirituals and art songs. Those new to classical music will be introduced to a variety of classical vocal styles. Classical music aficionados will appreciate the first-rate artistry of soprano, Sabrina Coleman Clark.
Target audience: All ages (can be customized for middle and high school, as well as family audiences and discerning concert-goers)
Room: May be performed on a proscenium or thrust stage, or in more informal settings such as classrooms
Program length: 1-1.25 hours (full length program or as a segment in existing programs or events)
Educational components: In addition to the historical and musical elements, young audiences will be encouraged to ask questions and discuss ways of overcoming challenges.
A comprehensive CD of suggested pre-performance and post-performance activities will enrich the experience for students and teachers.
What people are saying…
"Informative and thought-provoking...paved the way for me as a teacher in the music field." |
Cedric Meekins, Dunbar High School, MD |
"[Sabrina Coleman] Clark's ingratiating manner, innately expressive voice and appealing choice of repertoire make a strong combination." |
Baltimore Sun |
"[The students] were captivated [by] a wonderful, hopeful message." |
Kelly Boyle, Loch Raven Academy, MD |
About the performers…
Sabrina Coleman Clark is a much sought-after soprano both nationally and internationally. She has performed opera, oratorio and concerts in a variety of venues from the Kennedy Center to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. She is a versatile singer who has won numerous vocal competitions, including the Leontyne Price, the St. Cecilia Society of Baltimore, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and the Dicapo Opera Theater of Manhattan competitions. She was the featured soloist with the Cor Cymraeg Rehobeth-a Welsh Choir based in Delta, Pennsylvania-during their Celtic Tour in Wales, France and England. Ms. Coleman Clark has also received much acclaim for her multimedia educational show, "Legacy of Hope: The Marian Anderson Story."
Pianist Daniel Lau has appeared in recitals and with orchestras throughout North America and Europe. The Washington Post praised his "exemplary artistry;" the Baltimore Sun noted "Lau's beautifully shaded playing;" and the Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, PA) described his "flair, great technical proficiency and expressiveness." He is in constant demand by singers and instrumentalists as a collaborator.
Piano (tuned to A440 within 1 week of performance, presenter to indicate piano style)
Piano bench
Adequate lighting for reading music at piano
Appropriate stage lighting
Request audio recording through soundboard of performance (artist will provide cassette tape/CD)
Microphone (lavaliere for verbal presentation only)
CD Player (operated through house system)
PC (operating MS Windows 2000 or later with MS PowerPoint installed)
LCD Projector with remote capability (for slide presentation)
Projection Screen (in proportion to stage)
PowerPoint Slides
Outline of Script (including cues for microphone and CD)
Cassette tape/CD for audio recording