Resonance Festival: Celebrating Songs of African American Composers | Opening Concert

This event is a combined Voice Faculty Recital with Guest Artists: Dr. Louise Toppin, Soprano and Dr. John Morefield, Collaborative Pianist 

Voice Faculty Performers: Dr. Colleen Cole Beucher, Dr. Christopher Pfund, Dr. Tony Offerle 

This event kicks off the inaugural Resonance Festival! 

Resonance Festival is a four-day festival dedicated to honoring the rich legacy of African American art song and spirituals. At its heart, the festival affirms song’s timeless power to unite, inspire, and create lasting connections among students and communities. Through faculty recitals, masterclasses, and student performances, the festival highlights the artistry of African American composers while fostering engagement among students of all backgrounds. Resonance embodies many meanings: the vibrations of voice and song, the way this music echoes through history, and the call for students to engage with and carry forward these legacies. By combining performance and pedagogy, the festival seeks to preserve these important traditions, encourage deeper study, and inspire the next generation of musicians to let this music truly resonate.