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For many months now, I’ve been looking forward to singing at David Ripley’s faculty recital at UNH in Durham. David is a bass-baritone and a professor of voice and opera UNH. We first met last spring while performing in the “Night at the Opera” concert with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra. Much to my surprise, I discovered that in addition to being a performer and teacher of classical music and opera, he was also a tremendous folk musician and songwriter! Similarly, he found out I was a (not-so) secret country singer, and we connected over our shared love of Merle Haggard, and traditional folk music. I was thrilled when David invited me to be a part of this concert and we quickly began exchanging ideas for songs, artists, and arrangements.
The program will feature a wide array of music from the 1960s and 1970s, from the likes of Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, Peter, Paul & Mary, as well as some of David Ripley’s original compositions. Back in January, I began rehearsing with David and David Talmage on banjo, harmonica, and vocals. It's been so much fun getting together to sing these songs, many of which we have arranged with some great three-part harmony!
One of things I enjoy most about this music is the element of community. Many of these melodies and their messages are so singable and inviting that they lend themselves to the powerful experience of uniting together in song, commemorative of the time in which they came from. That is the spirit we hope to bring to this concert, at a time where music, peace, and unity are needed more than ever.
Catch this performance on Saturday, May 6th at the Johnson Theatre at UNH. 8pm. Free and open to the public!