Join us on April 1 for two uplifting events with the NATURAL RHYTHMS TRIO featuring the unique talents of Elise Witt, Becky Reardon, and Terry Garthwaite!
~ SINGING CIRCLE (1-4 pm) ~
Singing together takes us deeply into the experience of being held and lifted. Exploring our wildly versatile voices, we will sing songs of celebration, ceremony, and community; songs celebrating the earth and our own spirit and creativity; songs of healing and passage; and songs of playfulness and joy.
Each member of the trio brings her specialty to the mix. Drawing from her love of diverse melodies and rhythms, Elise might introduce a Brazilian samba, a Congolese storysong, an Italian round, or four-part harmonies from Zimbabwe. Becky’s connection to nature and jazz leads us to listen deeply to our own voice and to each other. Deeply rooted in rhythm, Terry shares “simply phrased, foot-tapping songs” interwoven with vocal percussion.
All are welcome, regardless of experience! Songs will be broken down into easily learnable parts, so even those who think they “can’t carry a tune in a bucket” will find themselves part of a glorious choir in no time.
~ CONCERT (7:30 pm) ~
Combining three unique voices into a harmonious blend, the Natural Rhythms Trio cooks from the minute they hit the stage. Their mad musical adventures might include a polyrhythmic improvisation on the physics of sound, a playful musing on the simple life of an amoeba, an anthem to wild rivers, or a musical ride on the happiness train.
The concert will feature traditional songs and original compositions, with a generous helping of audience participation. The UUCSS Sanctuary Singers will be featured in special arrangements of a number of songs throughout the evening.
ASL interpretation may be provided for the concert (request by March 12)
This may be the most unusual and musically exciting concert we have presented in our 11 years of 178 concerts! ~ Jack Sartain, Producer, Music for Missions Concert Series, Tucker GA
~ THE MUSICIANS ~
Elise Witt is a singer, composer, musical ambassador, and community activist. Described by the Lincoln Center as a “honey-voiced songwriter who sings the world,” Elise speaks five languages fluently, sings in over a dozen more, and has been a cultural ambassador to South Africa, Italy, Nicaragua, Switzerland, China, and Bosnia. Her latest CD, We’re All Born Singing, is her 12th recording for the independent EMWorld Records, and she has collaborated with UUCSS Music Director, Michael Holmes, on choral arrangements of more than 20 of her compositions. http://www.elisewitt.com
Becky Reardon’s voice is familiar to the millions of people who heard her sing on the Charlie Brown TV specials (Charles Schultz called her his favorite singer!). Becky’s songs and rounds are treasured for their ability to move singers and listeners to ancient places of pleasure and healing and have been collected in five CDs and books. She teaches and performs nationwide, using improvised singing and movement to illuminate and resolve conflict. http://www.beckyreardonmusic.com
Terry Garthwaite is an internationally known singer, songwriter, composer, producer, and teacher. Her recording career dates back to the late 1960s, when she and Toni Brown formed the acclaimed rock group, Joy of Cooking. With a voice both “sassy and touching,” Terry has shared the stage with BB King, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, The Band, Allen Ginsberg, Santana, Rosalie Sorrels, and many others. She currently leads vocal retreats, drum circles, and classes in singing together, playing with sound, and digging the musical garden. Her recent recordings reflect the healing nature of music, and her 2017 release, Shine On, encourages empowerment and delight. http://www.TerryGarthwaite.com
Their voices are each unique in color and timbre, yet when combined, create a beautiful, unified sound that melts the audience and carries them home. ~ Donald Milton, Director of Music, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, GA
For more information, contact residency@uucss.org