Liz Wu’s trio Canela will perform as part of the program, and Tucki Bailey (formerly of Yellow Springs, now Marysville, CA), will add her musical voice to form a dynamite Latin jazz quartet. Liz’s own words capture the spirit of their set and our concert as a whole:

"Canela is a trio that plays fun, exciting Afro-Cuban Jazz, featuring Sonia Matos-Morales on piano, Emily Sierra on alto sax, and Liz Wu on congas. Incorporating the sounds of the Caribbean, this ensemble performs rhythmic and danceable music sure to get people moving. The word canela, which means cinnamon in Spanish, is a reference to the hot, yet sweet flavor of their tunes - after all, music is the spice of life."

Twenty-six MUSE members traveled to the Dominican Republic in March. Our collective experiences will weave through this vibrant choral program. One of our most memorable moments was spent in a workshop with Matisses, a professional choral ensemble, in Santo Domingo. Director Pura Tayson conducted and coached MUSE on lively syncopated rhythms and sensuous moves in “El Pambiche Lento,” a meringue from the Dominican Republic. We programmed this work for June to give you the flavor of meringue, the genre most closely associated with the DR. We’ve commissioned Pura to arrange a meringue especially for MUSE (coming next season).

A newly commissioned arrangement of “Gracias a la Vida” (Chile), done by Willi Zwosdeski, is stunning, slow, and beautifully crafted. Other classic Latin folk songs “De Colores” (Mexico), and “Duerme Negrito” (Argentina) will be included in the program.

You will also hear familiar choral favorites by Holly Near and Ysaye Maria Barnwell in the concert. This 26th anniversary concert captures, with humor, love, Latin and jazz sounds, the rhythms of resistance and regeneration, as we stand on new musical ground. Don’t miss “Rosa Sat,” a newly arranged, gospel-style commission of Amy Dixon Kolar’s YouTube hit of the same name.

Gracias a la Vida (Thanks to Life), the first phrase of our concert title this spring, comes from a song we will sing by Violeta Parra. She expresses gratitude for her two eyes that see beauty and injustice. Her ears hear the natural sounds of our everyday lives, and the people’s voices of struggle and love.

We tied Parra’s lines into those of Alanis Morisette’s "You Live, You Learn". Together the first and last choruses read: you live—you learn, you love—you learn, you bleed—you learn, you grieve—you learn, you choke—you learn, you pray—you learn, you ask—you learn, you love—you learn.

In MUSE, we strive to present a concert experience that entertains and inspires. In this concert we share our new ideas about how our music connects to the life we want to sing about, the life we want to live, the musical changes we want to make, and the musical change we seek to be. We strive to think global and sing local.

Please stroll, swing, sway, and make those spicy meringue moves to New Thought Unity Church in Walnut Hills on Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon, June 6, and June 7. The all-woman concert will highlight the terrific talent of singers and multi-instrumentalists; women who use music to transform lives, to awaken hearts to the beats of cultures sounding across diverse landscapes near to us and far. Move to the music and let the music move you.

Angie Denov and Diana Porter had a chance to speak with Ingrid Luciano, the coordinator of the the conference and Dr. Angel Pechardo, the director of Justicia global. In their hour-long conversation they shared MUSE's feedback on their experience at the conference and in the Dominican Republic.

"As we were ready to leave for the airport, Dr. Pechardo asked us to take back to the whole MUSE choir and community that 'there is a house in Santo Domingo, (the Justicia Global House) where you are loved and we are waiting for you.' He then presented MUSE with the gift of a bowl and said, 'This bowl is made by an indigenous woman. She started with earth, water and fire and added one important thing--love. We send this love home with you.'" - Diana Porter (AI)
View Diana's Pictures

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30 MUSE Women's Choir members traveled to Santo Domingo to participate in the conference Arte y Revolución run by Justicia Global, a social justice organization. With all hands on deck, the group pulled together and grew together discovering new ways to communicate and testing a new global path for MUSE’s social justice work.

Highlights of trip:
* Upon arriving to the airport, we received our first of many tastes of salty, warm Caribbean breezes. After being greeted by members of Justicia Global including Diana’s son Mark, we saw the ocean on our first bus ride, to the hostel!
* Our first morning in the capital, we gave an inpromptu concert on the steps of the National Archives One archivist and Justicia Global leader was campaigning to start a community choir among the Archive staff. The sunny hall was filled with archive technicians and national leaders gathered to commemorate the instution’s oral history radio program. The audience gasped at Lois’s voice in I’m Gon’ Stand, and one woman even cried during the Duerme Negrito, remembering her mother singing that song to her as a child.
* Although the evening’s concert was challenging at best, we also got to hear a group of campesino singers and a local merengue dance/singing group of girls and women.
* Friday morning! We rehearsed with a local a cappella ensemble (10) that arranges performs and spreads the word about Dominican music. They workshopped El Pambiche, suggested ways to improve the feel of syncopation. We ended up dancing with choir member (with Donna of course in the front of line!). This was an amazing experience for everyone, and Cathy commissioned an arrangement for MUSE from the director.

Off-roading: The different meal schedule, the waiting for buses, language barrier and oh, did I mention the waiting? were definite challenges for all members, but we were grateful for Jon and Leonard’s suppport and for Mark and Jake’s (who was visiting from Colombia) patience and leadership. Some of neat things were Saturday night clubbing (a cultural emersion for all), mashed plantains, guava paste candy, and Maya’s amazing peaceful and peacefilled un-aptly named hostel Fior di Loto. Friends were made, sometimes with the Dean of the University. - Katie Johnson (SI)

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When we got there, the man at the hostel wasn't friendly. But, we worked through differences, tired from traveling, bus mishaps. Alternately, when we went Saturday night that Justicia Global built, even though we didn't get to stay, these kids were riled up! Right there you can see the difference they (J.G.) make. The kids have to go to school in shifts because 5000 kids attend. Several of us were interacting/speaking Spanish. And even though, I would say probably at that time morale was low, it was late, and we were tired, hungry. It was real. You meet these kids and see what Justicia Global does. It's a reality check to where you are and what you're doing there.

By the time we leave, getting on the bus to Fior di Loto, we met this amazing woman. She made the trip. --for me. This woman, Maya. She was an incredible beam of light. Originally from Bologna. She was a world traveler. She went to India and saw the way that they treat little girls there and made it her mission to help them. She chooses three or four children a year to sponsor. She told us her whole life story. She has 300 girls at the Fior di Loto. And the stories of the children they've helped, no she doesn't speak the language. Choosing girls by herself, by what she sees and her feelings, rather than let others interpret what they want her to hear. She's got photo album after another...As we were sitting there Tuesday night talking to her, she was telling us her life story. We were moved, we don't know how we found her, but her mission was so closely joined with ours (MUSE's). It was so serendipitous. She was saying anyone that's about peace and justice, that's what I'm about. To find in a little hotel, to be able to find her, was just incredible. We were all extremely inspired. This hotel, decorated in the Indian (India) tradition; it's a completely different feeling being there. all the staff was kind. It was kind of like when we sing everybody's favorite song, like "We Are" or "Wanting Memories" there's this warm feeling that you're left with. That makes your heart feel full. You feel complete. And I was just inspired. And I know we all were. That was one of the best parts of the trip. And also the vocal workship we did. We learned a lot about el Pambiche Lento.

All in all it was a great trip. Meeting the rest of Justicia Global was great too. All the kids translated for us. These kids are positive. I wish I could've been like this when I was a kid. Their dynamic of helping and jumping in; all the kids were absolutely fabulous. That part of it was just awesome to see. There were a couple times I got a tear in my eyes looking at these inspirational lives. I'm glad I went. We were renewed. There was also a term that was coined "MUSEbands" because of Len and Jon who were there every step of the way and were so supportive. And then, Tucki was this awesome fireball of a woman. She can do anything! Oh, she's coming to play the piano, oh she can play the flute, and the saxophone and she can synchronized swim! So often in MUSE we hear someone's name but never get to meet them. It was a great trip.
- Kelly Cobb (SII)
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We’ve flown over 2,000 miles and back, all safe and sound, and for that I am thankful. The moment we stepped onto Santo Domingo earth was a personal relief, but also marked, what I think is fair to say, the beginning of an unforgettable experience, adventure, and journey for all Muse members.

Whether there were previous expectations or not, there was a little, or a lot, of adjusting to be done. Cold showers became more tolerable (for me) as each day went on, and waiting, for what seemed to be endlessly, for the bus to come was a perfect moment to just “let go”. The language barrier, whether with hostel workers or members from Justicia Global, made it difficult for many Musers to interact and share themselves with the natives.

The conference definitely kept us busy, and being able to sing to the people of the Dominican Republic was both a gift and a challenge. Technical difficulties, Tucki’s relationship with the Casio, the language barrier, making group decisions with the information we had, and very tightly packed bus rides to and from the hostel were some challenges. Being able to interact and share music with the Matisse Choir, singing to a very welcoming and appreciative audience at the Office Secretary of Culture for the archive staff, and experiencing Dominican music and art were definite gifts.

Observing one another in these situations allowed for new and deeper connections, an appreciation for diverse personalities and points of views, an opportunity to grow and learn more about ourselves, and to open ourselves up to a different culture, language, and struggle.

TO see with our own two eyes the poverty, pollution, and trash filling the streets was not easy, and to see the mixture of people, the vivid colors, the crowds, Spanish words, and children dancing is what I see as the living spirit of this country.

Following the conference and saying farewell to grumpy Salvador at the Hostel Primaveral was a relief, and also a certain “letting go” of our time in Santo Domingo. Upon arriving in Juan Dolio, getting acquainted with mara at Fior di Loto was a blessing in itself, and also marked the start of a very relaxing, non-scheduled, and peaceful day, or few days, depending on Muse departure dates.

Still surrounded by natives in Juan Dolio, our Dominican Republic experience never ceased to be filled with its culture, politics, and people. Because of our own personal histories, experiences, and personalities, we may have looked differently, seen differently, thought differently, and valued different parts of the trip, but our last night as a group, we came together- we shared our thoughts, we laughed, we cried, and we thanked. It was memorable, it was beautiful, and a reminder that we took this trip together, and it’s now forever a part of the way we see the Dominican Republic and the world around us. It’s a reminder that there is still fighting to be done, and justice to be achieved. I thank everyone on the trip, and I feel blessed to be a part of this choir which strives for so much of what the conference and the people from Justicia Global strive for in their own country every day. - Julie Lessard (SII)

A Lesson in Patience

While walking or riding in a bus through the streets of Santo Domingo, I frequently heard horns honking. I soon noticed that the feeling it invoked was different than here in the U.S. Somehow the horns in Santo Domingo seemed friendlier. I asked one of our bus drivers who explained that the beeping is a way of warning other vehicles of a car’s presence, usually in an intersection where stop signs and traffic lights seem to be a mere suggestion. I was reminded of this “friendly-driver” mentality the other day when a driver slammed on her horn because I pulled in front of her and wasn’t going fast enough. If I had one thing I could teach my fellow Americans from my experience, it would be to adopt a Dominican driver’s mindset of being friendlier and a bit more patient! - Julie Brock (AI)

Leisan Smith, SI
MUSE: What is your name?
LS: Leisan Cesley Smith

MUSE: What do you do with your time outside of MUSE?
LS: Work, hang out with my fiance’ and the rest of my friends, read

MUSE: How long have you been in MUSE?
LS: This is my 6th year.

MUSE: What prompted you to audition?
LS: I love to sing! I heard MUSE at a conference and thought that I’d love to be a part of it. I saw an audition in the paper and just decided to go for it because I love to sing!

MUSE: In addition to singing, what role/duties have you performed?
LS: I am currently the S1 Section Leader and a member of the Membership Committee

MUSE: What has been your favorite MUSE event?
LS: GALA 2008 in Miami, Florida

MUSE: What is your best source for your MUSE turquoise?
LS: I don’t have a good source, but I plan to do better.

MUSE: Besides music, what are three things you always bring to rehearsal?
LS: Music binder, MUSE binder, pencil

MUSE: What is your favorite song MUSE has sung?
LS: We Are

MUSE: What do you do before rehearsal?
LS: Eat dinner and take out the trash

MUSE: What do you do after rehearsal?
LS: Sleep of course! It’s almost 10:30 when I get home.

MUSE: What do you listen to in the car?
LS: R and B (and sometimes our music section leaders voice singing to me if it’s almost concert time)

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Julie Lessard, SII
MUSE: What is your name?
JL: Julie Lessard

MUSE: What do you do with your time outside of MUSE?
JL: Dance Argentine tango, train for the half-marathon in May, teach English to two motivated Turkish students, Sunday chanting with another group consisting of 3 members, barista at my local coffee shop, Sidewinder’s. When it’s weather appropriate I take my bike out for casual riding, and with the rest of my time I am continuing my job-search!

MUSE: How long have you been in MUSE?
JL: 7 or 8 months

MUSE: What prompted you to audition?
JL: Cathy’s frequent encouragement of this as I made her double cappuccino at Sidewinder’s.

MUSE: In addition to singing, what role/duties have you performed?
JL: Helping the group with Spanish translating in the DR

MUSE: What has been your favorite MUSE event?
JL: Probably our Winter Concert, so far.

MUSE: What is your best source for your MUSE turquoise?
JL: hand-me-downs

MUSE: Besides music, what are three things you always bring to rehearsal?
JL: A smile (or two), concentration, and a rested and ready-to-sing voice.

MUSE: What is your favorite song MUSE has sung?
JL: The Peace of Wild Things

MUSE: What do you do before rehearsal?
JL: Depends on the Monday! Sometimes I am hurrying to get a bite to eat, playing with my favorite munchkin, Julian, or out for a late run.

MUSE: What do you do after rehearsal?
JL: One of three things: go home to sleep, go out for a drink with a friend, or read my latest book.

MUSE: What do you listen to in the car?
JL: NPR, 90.9 (classical station), or CDs that consist of ranging artists such as: Lucinda Williams, Rufus Wainwright, Gillian Welch, Madeleine Peyroux, Lata Mangeshkar, Bebel Gilberto, Marvin Gaye, Jarabe de Palo, Dar Williams, Antony & the Johnsons, and I could go on for awhile, but I’ll spare you the boredom.

to an International Fundraiser (An Evening of Sheltering Song), to a demonstration for social justice (Participation in Focus on All Families event, at Xavier U.) MUSE's performances show our vitality and flexibility as a choir. Rain or shine, MUSE puts forth a voice for "peace and possibility".

It's time to update your calendar for the next exciting MUSE happenings.

As always, MUSE packs a multitude of exciting musical events into our spring season. Runout Performance (20-45 minute sets, generally) and Concert information is always available at musechoir.org.

This year, MUSE is proud to complete our season with the following events:

RollerGirl Derby Game
Saturday, May 9, 2009 - 7:00pm
Cincinnati Gardens
2250 Seymour Ave Cincinnati, OH 45212

Gracias a La Vida: We Live We Learn
Spring Concert 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009 - 8:00pm
Sunday, June 7, 2009 - 3:00pm
New Thought Unity Center
1401 E McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH‎

Earth Spirit Rising: Living Economies, Solutions for Hope
Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 7:00pm
Herald Ave & Pacific Ave Cincinnati, OH 45207

MUSE sings at Pride!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Details to be announced...

Don't forget to log on to our website monthly for the latest Song of the Month

(Take Back the Night photo/video copyright 2009, local12.com)