“When we, as musicians, bring this beauty to the world, we are bringing
God to the world.”
-Sr. Cecilia Clare Bocard
Pictured: Sr Cecilia Clare Bocard, S.P.
A large, dark, wooden and bronze pipe organ stands in the back middle of
Allen Chapel, an African Methodist Episcopal church in the heart of
Terre Haute, Indiana. This organ is steady, beautiful, strong, and
sacred; its qualities are reminiscent of God.
Saturday, March 4, 2023, was the third and final section of the
"memory quilt" that was woven together as a result of the Sacred Music Festival.
Guest performer
Marques Jerrell Ruff, bass-baritone, was the thread for this third section of the quilt,
sharing information and leading discussions about the church's history
(Pastor Tess Brooks), the history of the first Black Settlement
families in Lost Creek (SMWC Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion Dee Reed), and the evolution of the Spiritual (Marques Jerrell Ruff)
with community members who attended the discussion.
Marques Jerrell Ruff and Pastor Tess Brooks
Attendees learned the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
and
Allen Chapel
specifically, the roots of the Black community in Terre Haute and the
Lost Creek area, the importance of language and words when recounting
this history, and were led by Mr. Ruff in "Jubilee," a type of spiritual.
Marques Jerrell Ruff
SMWC freshman and pre art therapy major Vivian D'Agostino reflected
on her experience as an audience member of the discussion. “As a
musician and believer of God, the experience I had at Allen Chapel was
impactful because it brought to mind how important music is when it
comes to our connection with God and the people around us. Learning
about the history and importance of Allen Chapel in freeing enslaved
people was also fascinating; I didn't know or expect a place, in a
little town that seems quite insignificant on the outside, was part of
such an important time in history. It inspired me to look more into
the history of the places around me.”
Dee Reed shares her family history
Following the informational sessions and discussion, three SMWC
music students had the opportunity to work with
Mr. Ruff in a voice masterclass: Carmela D'Agostino-Cozza (junior), Lydia Huston (senior),
and Joynelis Caminero Santiago (sophomore).
Joynelis shared the following: “That Saturday was very special- I will never forget it. I was very nervous to work with Marques, because as a musician
and an artist I care about what I present...and I want other
people to think that I am a good musician. The first time I sang [the piece,] I forgot I was doing this for
someone else and that I was being evaluated [by Marques,] I was
completely in the moment, in the music, and in what I was
saying. Hearing Marques’s input, hearing him say “Wow” the second time I
sang the piece made me very emotional. I did not expect that reaction from him, and the fact that I was
able to create that reaction in other people really nourished me
and also reinstated in me that I am meant to do what I am doing.
Marques Jerrell Ruff and Joynelis Caminero Santiago
It was an amazing day and it has changed the way I approach, see,
and enjoy music for the better.” Mr, Ruff stated that “It was an immense pleasure to be the guest artist for the
inaugural Sacred Music Festival at SMWC. While the tireless
efforts of the staff were integral in making this festival a
success, I believe that what really made this festival successful
was the openness and willingness of everyone who participated.
From the planning staff, to the high school choirs, right on down
to the audiences".
Pictured (L-R): Pastor Tess Brooks, Lydia Huston,
Marques
Jerrell Ruff, Carmela D'Agostino-Cozza, and
Joynelis
Caminero Santiago
By the end of the inaugural SMWC Sacred Music Festival, the “memory quilt” that remained included a foundation
of beauty and Godliness, stitched together by the thread of music,
with blocks relaying the story of Black Americans, their roots in
Terre Haute, and the traditional spiritual brought forth in this third day of the festival. Michael Boswell
(Sacred Music Festival Coordinator), guest artist Marques Jerrell Ruff, and the
musicians of the Woods brought music of the Woods to the greater
Terre Haute community and provided an opportunity to educate all who attended about our history while creating connections through music. In just three days, an impact was made that will
not soon be forgotten. The musicians certainly brought beauty to the world in the three days of the SMWC Sacred Music Festival.
Author: Avery Stein, sophomore, Music Therapy Student
Assistant
Editor: Sharon R. Boyle, DHSc MT-BC, Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of
the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program, Chair of the Department of Music & Theatre
Photo Credits: SMWC Marketing and Communications; Sharon R.
Boyle, Chair of Department of Music and Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information about the SMWC music programs,
contact:
Admissions@smwc.edu
 | ||
|
Saturday, March 4, 2023, was the third and final section of the
"memory quilt" that was woven together as a result of the Sacred Music Festival.
Guest performer
Marques Jerrell Ruff, bass-baritone, was the thread for this third section of the quilt,
sharing information and leading discussions about the church's history
(Pastor Tess Brooks), the history of the first Black Settlement
families in Lost Creek (SMWC Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion Dee Reed), and the evolution of the Spiritual (Marques Jerrell Ruff)
with community members who attended the discussion.
|
| Marques Jerrell Ruff and Pastor Tess Brooks |
Attendees learned the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
and
Allen Chapel
specifically, the roots of the Black community in Terre Haute and the
Lost Creek area, the importance of language and words when recounting
this history, and were led by Mr. Ruff in "Jubilee," a type of spiritual.
|
| Marques Jerrell Ruff |
SMWC freshman and pre art therapy major Vivian D'Agostino reflected
on her experience as an audience member of the discussion. “As a
musician and believer of God, the experience I had at Allen Chapel was
impactful because it brought to mind how important music is when it
comes to our connection with God and the people around us. Learning
about the history and importance of Allen Chapel in freeing enslaved
people was also fascinating; I didn't know or expect a place, in a
little town that seems quite insignificant on the outside, was part of
such an important time in history. It inspired me to look more into
the history of the places around me.”
Editor: Sharon R. Boyle, DHSc MT-BC, Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of
the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program, Chair of the Department of Music & Theatre
|
|
| Dee Reed shares her family history |
Following the informational sessions and discussion, three SMWC
music students had the opportunity to work with
Mr. Ruff in a voice masterclass: Carmela D'Agostino-Cozza (junior), Lydia Huston (senior),
and Joynelis Caminero Santiago (sophomore).
Joynelis shared the following: “That Saturday was very special- I will never forget it. I was very nervous to work with Marques, because as a musician
and an artist I care about what I present...and I want other
people to think that I am a good musician. The first time I sang [the piece,] I forgot I was doing this for
someone else and that I was being evaluated [by Marques,] I was
completely in the moment, in the music, and in what I was
saying. Hearing Marques’s input, hearing him say “Wow” the second time I
sang the piece made me very emotional. I did not expect that reaction from him, and the fact that I was
able to create that reaction in other people really nourished me
and also reinstated in me that I am meant to do what I am doing.
It was an amazing day and it has changed the way I approach, see,
and enjoy music for the better.” Mr, Ruff stated that “It was an immense pleasure to be the guest artist for the
inaugural Sacred Music Festival at SMWC. While the tireless
efforts of the staff were integral in making this festival a
success, I believe that what really made this festival successful
was the openness and willingness of everyone who participated.
From the planning staff, to the high school choirs, right on down
to the audiences".
|
|
| Marques Jerrell Ruff and Joynelis Caminero Santiago |
|
|
Pictured (L-R): Pastor Tess Brooks, Lydia Huston, Marques Jerrell Ruff, Carmela D'Agostino-Cozza, and Joynelis Caminero Santiago |
By the end of the inaugural SMWC Sacred Music Festival, the “memory quilt” that remained included a foundation
of beauty and Godliness, stitched together by the thread of music,
with blocks relaying the story of Black Americans, their roots in
Terre Haute, and the traditional spiritual brought forth in this third day of the festival. Michael Boswell
(Sacred Music Festival Coordinator), guest artist Marques Jerrell Ruff, and the
musicians of the Woods brought music of the Woods to the greater
Terre Haute community and provided an opportunity to educate all who attended about our history while creating connections through music. In just three days, an impact was made that will
not soon be forgotten. The musicians certainly brought beauty to the world in the three days of the SMWC Sacred Music Festival.
Author: Avery Stein, sophomore, Music Therapy Student
Assistant
Photo Credits: SMWC Marketing and Communications; Sharon R.
Boyle, Chair of Department of Music and Theatre
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information about the SMWC music programs,
contact:
Admissions@smwc.edu
