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Community and tradition inspire the performers of the Old-Time String Band and African American Music Ensemble.
Each class of musical performers has shared its passion for traditional old-time Americana and African American gospel for years. Diane White-Clayton, the director of the African American Music Ensemble, said the ensemble’s hope is to include and validate gospel music within the fabric of American music. Alongside the Old-Time String Band, White-Clayton said both ensembles play a variety of events throughout the year but are gearing up for their spring performance at 7 p.m. tonight in Schoenberg Hall.
“The reason why we do gospel music, though, is because you would not have rock and roll, R&B, soul, hip-hop … the genesis is gospel,” White-Clayton said. “I don’t ever separate the sacred aspect of it, meaning the fact that it’s gospel. … We cannot look at American music in any way, shape or form and exclude gospel.”
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White-Clayton said there is no coincidence when it comes to looking at gospel music and finding an uplifting message. The African American Music Ensemble is open to people of any level, allowing everyone the opportunity to participate and sing, White-Clayton added.
Kayne Doughty, a history doctoral student, said he plays the acoustic guitar and mandolin for The Old-Time String Band. Doughty said preparations for a recital involve finalizing the set within the first two weeks of the quarter and continuing to practice that set until the date of the concert. The band plays by ear and makes an effort to cultivate a varied setlist that educates the audience on multiple facets of the genre, Doughty said. The band also makes sure to cover the historical aspects during its rehearsals by going over the origins and legacies of the music or instruments played, he added.
“There are roots this music have in Africa,” Doughty said. “Some of the tunes we’ll play are tunes that were composed and passed down to the generations of people, formerly enslaved people, along with Appalachia, Scots-Irish influence, also indigenous influences. … The style of music is a blend of a bunch of different traditions.”
Members of the Old-Time String Band perform on stage with a variety of instruments. The ensemble will perform at Schoenberg Hall tonight at 7 p.m. alongside the African American Music Ensemble. (Courtesy of Vinai Supamongkolthaveesuk and The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music)
Selkie Winter-Golden, a fourth-year ethnomusicology student, is an alto vocalist in the African American Music Ensemble. Winter-Golden said the ensemble employs a descriptive rehearsal style, with White-Clayton going over each part, allowing the performers to listen and learn from critiques about their own or other sections’ performances. Winter-Golden added that it is important the performers capture the essence of the music, and because of their passion for that, the ensemble is a beautiful communal space.
“Dr. Dee makes sure everybody feels empowered in their voice, confident about themselves and very ready,” Winter-Golden said.
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Winter-Golden said the experience of performing is like feeling anew, and compared her experience of being on stage to taking an amazing shower. Winter-Golden added that it is a beautiful feeling of being together on stage and sharing songs. The concerts are a nice bow that ties together the whole experience of accomplishing something and feeling proud of oneself, Winter-Golden said.
Ryen Clark, a third-year psychology and sociology student, said she has taken the class three times, and others repeat the class frequently. Clark, a soprano vocalist in the African American Music Ensemble, said the beauty of the ensemble is that it forces students out of their shells and prompts interactions and collaboration.
“I was very surprised, but being in the midst of that atmosphere and singing those songs, it really brought this delight to my life that I didn’t know that I needed,” Clark said. “It’s deeper than singing. It feels like being invited into a family and into that love through music, which really touched my soul.”
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