“Shakespeare and All That Jazz” Tuesday at TAMIU, Part of “Cervantes & Shakespeare Go Pop Festival”
The immortal sonnets of the world’s greatest writer, William Shakespeare, will come to life through the vocalizations of Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Chamber Singers and Voice Studio Concert presentation of “Shakespeare and All That Jazz, “ Tuesday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall.
The event is free of charge, open to all, and part of TAMIU’s month-long “Cervantes & Shakespeare Go Pop Festival.” Dr. Colin Campbell and Dr. Yoonsung Yeo will accompany TAMIU students on piano.
TAMIU Chamber Singers and Choir director Dana Crabtree said it’s no surprise that the written brilliance of both authors can be easily translated to music vocalizations.
“Shakespeare and Cervantes masterfully communicated much of the timeless and universal human experience. Because these sentiments are timeless, it makes sense to hear updated musical settings of the sonnets. Once students ‘decode’ the Elizabethan language of Shakespeare, they often find they can easily relate to the sentiments expressed. My students and I have an ongoing practice of finding parallels between the sentiments found in the centuries-old words of the classical vocal repertoire and pop songs of today. We recently linked the words of one of the verses of "Live With Me and Be My Love" to those from a recent Bruno Mars song,” she noted.
The evening’s program includes beloved jazz composer George Shearing’s “Songs and Sonnets,” whimsical and varied jazz settings of seven of Shakespeare’s sonnets including “It Was a Lover and His Lass,” “Live with Me and Be My Love,” and “Who Is Sylvia? To honor Cervantes, the Choir will provide an inspirational conclusion for the evening’s program with an arrangement of “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha.”
Crabtree said the performing TAMIU students are impressive representatives of the musical talent that is abundant at TAMIU.
"These students are music majors and minors ranging from freshmen to seniors. They’re a mix of voice majors and instrumental majors. A defining feature among TAMIU's music student population is that they declare a major instrument as their focus during their training…but also work toward a well-rounded education by developing their abilities on additional instruments. They regularly participate in multiple ensembles and applied lessons. Audiences can expect to be delighted by both the quality of the music, as well as our students’ musical talent. Their well-deserved following continues to grow,” Crabtree concluded.
For additional information on “Shakespeare and All That Jazz,” contact Crabtree at 956.326.3040 or email dcrabtree@tamiu.edu
A website dedicated to the “Cervantes & Shakespeare Go Pop Festival” is located at: http://www.tamiu.edu/newsinfo/cervantes-shakespeare-go-pop/
University news and information is also available online at tamiu.edu and on the University’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.