Kathryn Goodson, Artistic Director
presented by The Phoenix Ensemble
and Peter Sparling Dance Company

Who was Charles Ives?

Charles Ives, 1874-1954, was oneof the great American geniuses, along the lines of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and the Wright Brothers. Musically he was innovative and radically ahead of his time. The first truly American collagist and sampler, Ives boldly grasped disparate musical, literary and political materials from the culture around him and placed them within the rigorous traditions of classical music, creating music full of life, humor, and an overwhelmingly heartfelt humanity. It is not uncommon for "serious" artists to quote and borrow themes from popular culture--this was done by Bach, Brahms, and Bartok, to name a few such composers. But Ives' liberal use of songs, hymns and marches was revolutionary and deemed rather eccentric in his own time. It wasn't until 1947 that his Third Symphony, composed in 1903, received the Pulitzer Prize for composition. Since then Ives' music has gained monumentally in recognition and is considered to provide a provocative glimpse into America's complex musical and cultural psyche.

Ives believed in the democratic well-being of humankind and carried that belief into an innovative career in the burgeoning insurance industry of the early 19th century. Like the American poet Wallace Stevens, he kept up a professional life and created "on the side." He was probably the most famous, and definitely one of the coolest, insurance executives of all time, forging themes and policies that became building blocks in the business.

Thursday, Feb. 15, 7:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion at the Ann Arbor District Library:
Charles Ives, His Music, and His World
Main branch, Fifth Avenue at East William Street

free and open to the public

To ask questions and hear stories probing the mysteries of composer Charles Ives, join us for an informal panel discussion about the life, times, and work of this gigantic yet humble American musical force. Special guest is renowned vocal interpreter Helen Boatwright of Syracuse, New York, who was the former partner in Ives to the legendary John Kirkpatrick and is the widow of violinist and scholar Howard Boatwright. Ms. Boatwright joins forces with Ann Arbor's William Bolcom, Joan Morris, Andrew Mead, Kathryn Goodson, Gabriel Bolkosky, and Peter Sparling in sharing a common love for Ives through conversation with the community.

8 p.m. Friday, February 16
First evening of music
Northside Community Church
929 Barton Drive, Ann Arbor

Ivesian hymns by Northside Community Church Bell Choir
Samuel Barber String Quartet / The Phoenix Quartet
Songs by African American composers: Margaret Bonds, Lillian Evanti, Undine Moore and Florence Price, / Leah Dexter, mezzo soprano and Kathryn Goodson, piano
Songs by Charles Ives / Allen Schrott, bass-baritone and Kathryn Goodson, piano

8 p.m. Saturday, February 17
Second evening of music
Northside Community Church
929 Barton Drive, Ann Arbor

Ivesian hymns by Northside Community Church Bell Choir
Songs by Charles Ives, William Bolcom, Howard Boatwright and others / William Bolcom and Joan Morris and Helen Boatwright, soprano
Dover Beach by Samuel Barber / Kenneth Goodson, baritone, and The Phoenix Quartet
Revival, Remembrance and The Alcotts by Charles Ives / Gabriel Bolkosky, violin, and Kathryn Goodson, piano

2 p.m. Sunday, February 18
Afternoon of music and dance
Dance Gallery Studio
815 Wildt Street (off Summit), Ann Arbor

Peter Sparling Dance Company and Dance Gallery Youth and Adult Ensembles
Come Sunday by Duke Ellington / Leah Dexter, mezzo soprano; Tad Weed, piano
Come Sunday, arr. by Michael Abene / Gabriel Bolkosky, violin; Randall Hawes, bass trombone; Kathryn Goodson, piano
Hawthorne from The Concord Sonata of Charles Ives / Kathryn Goodson, piano
They are There / Charles Ives, voice and piano
From the Steeples and the Mountains / John Dorsey, Daniel Desano, Cary Kocher, Chuck Riccotta, percussion)