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Course Description

Summary

To mark Meredith Monk’s fifty years of performing, Tom Bogdan will reconstruct Monk’s “A Celebration Service” for the 51�������� community.  Bogdan, an original cast member, in the work will cast an ensemble of singers to be joined by an ensemble of 10 dancers, supervised by Terry Creach, to perform this spiritually inspired performance piece--created by American composer and pioneer of interdisciplinary performance, Meredith Monk. "A Celebration Service" uses Monk's musical and movement compositions, as well as texts from the world's great religions to create a contemporary ritual celebrating the larger community of mankind and the power of the human spirit. Bogdan, long-time member of Monk's vocal ensemble, received three Fulbright grants to teach the work to ensembles in Budapest, Sao Paulo, and this past winter in Manila. Originally performed by 12 members of Monk's Vocal Ensemble, "A Celebration Service" will be performed in Bennington by up to thirty-five students, faculty, staff, and community members in Greenwall Music Workshop on December 5 and 6. Ten dancers will learn and perform the folk-dance and processional sections, which will be taught by Allison Easter, a member of Monk's Ensemble, in a class taught by Terry Creach.  Non-dance performers must have singing experience and the ability to match pitch. Auditions will be held in Greenwall on Monday, May 11, 6:30pm-8:00pm.