New Orleans Gospel Experience the songs and sounds of

New Orleans gospel

The spectacular
‘Shades of Praise’
An interracial Gospel Choir
perform a
Benefit concert
for
literacy support for
refugees and asylum seekers.
Also performing will be Schola Cantorum
Ireland’s leading plainchant choir.
in the Church of Adam & Eve,
(beside Dublin City Council Civic Offices)
Merchants Quay, Dublin 8
Wednesday 26th March 2003
Book 7.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Tickets ava ing: Shades of Praise promotes racial harmony in New Orleans by
ilable from blending cultures and voices in a dynamic, interracial,
on 01 8554 NALA contemporary praise and worship choir.
332 or
email litera Proceeds will be used by NALA to develop
cy@nala.ie literacy materials to be distributed free to refugees
Cost €20.0 . and asylum seekers.
0
€5 unwage This an initiative by the
d National Adult Literacy Agency
76 Lower Gardiner St., Dublin 1.

New Orleans Gospel Experience the songs and sounds of

New Orleans gospel
The spectacular
‘Shades of Praise’
An interracial Gospel Choir
perform a
Benefit concert
for
literacy support for
refugees and asylum seekers.
Also performing will be Schola Cantorum
Ireland’s leading plainchant choir.
in the Church of Adam & Eve,
(beside Dublin City Council Civic Offices)
Merchants Quay, Dublin 8
Wednesday 26th March 2003
Book 7.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Tickets ava ing: Shades of Praise promotes racial harmony in New Orleans by
ilable from blending cultures and voices in a dynamic, interracial,
on 01 8554 NALA contemporary praise and worship choir.
332 or
email litera Proceeds will be used by NALA to develop
cy@nala.ie literacy materials to be distributed free to refugees
Cost €20.0 . and asylum seekers.
0
€5 unwage This an initiative by the
d National Adult Literacy Agency
76 Lower Gardiner St., Dublin 1.
 Shades of Praise ‘‘
The New Orleans interracial gospel choir
Expanding their audience internationally
Shades of Praise promote racial harmony in New Orleans by blending
cultures and voices in a dynamic, interracial, contemporary praise-and-
worship choir. The group has sung in many different settings including
church, political events and festivals. Expanding their audience
internationally, Shades of Praise will complete a concert tour of Ireland in
March of 2003.
The Irish connection
In recent years VEC Adult Literacy Schemes have been providing literacy
support for Ireland’s newest citizens with the support of the National Adult
Literacy Agency (NALA). This has occurred because asylum seekers,
refugees and migrant workers are often excluded from educational
opportunities because of financial hardship or legal restrictions. Parallel to
this NALA has developed links with Dr Michael Cowan in his role as
Director of the Lindy Boggs National Centre for Community Literacy at
Loyola University. As co-founder of Shades of Praise Dr Cowan felt there is
a natural link between the interracial focus of the choir and NALA’s work
with asylum seekers and refugees. The result is this event, when the choir
can proclaim their message of racial harmony to Ireland in support of the
work of NALA.
Shades of Praise – some facts
The Shades of Praise comprises of 34 singers and 4 supporting musicians.
Their performance will be in the genre of contemporary praise and worship
music in the African American tradition. The choir Director will introduce
each song and encourage audience participation. Most people do join in
freely and increasingly as the concert progresses. A saying from the African
American church tradition says it all: “You are not the audience, you are the
performance.”
Shades of Praise ‘‘
The New Orleans interracial gospel choir
Expanding their audience internationally
Shades of Praise promote racial harmony in New Orleans by blending
cultures and voices in a dynamic, interracial, contemporary praise-and-
worship choir. The group has sung in many different settings including
church, political events and festivals. Expanding their audience
internationally, Shades of Praise will complete a concert tour of Ireland in
March of 2003.
The Irish connection
In recent years VEC Adult Literacy Schemes have been providing literacy
support for Ireland’s newest citizens with the support of the National Adult
Literacy Agency (NALA). This has occurred because asylum seekers,
refugees and migrant workers are often excluded from educational
opportunities because of financial hardship or legal restrictions. Parallel to
this NALA has developed links with Dr Michael Cowan in his role as
Director of the Lindy Boggs National Centre for Community Literacy at
Loyola University. As co-founder of Shades of Praise Dr Cowan felt there is
a natural link between the interracial focus of the choir and NALA’s work
with asylum seekers and refugees. The result is this event, when the choir
can proclaim their message of racial harmony to Ireland in support of the
work of NALA.
Shades of Praise – some facts
The Shades of Praise comprises of 34 singers and 4 supporting musicians.
Their performance will be in the genre of contemporary praise and worship
music in the African American tradition. The choir Director will introduce
each song and encourage audience participation. Most people do join in
freely and increasingly as the concert progresses. A saying from the African
American church tradition says it all: “You are not the audience, you are the
performance.”
Blending voices and cultures
at the intersection of race,
faith and music
A full programme for the night
’’
At this event the audience will also hear Schola Cantorum, Irelands leading
plainchant choir, perform their unique brand of music. This choir is resident
at the Church of Adam & Eve’s and recently had a chart topping CD. In
addition Michael Cowan, Niall Crowley, Director of the Equality Authority
and Minister of State Ms Síle de Valera TD will speak at the event. This
initiative is supported by Merchants Quay Ireland.
Sharing a dream of creating an interracial gospel choir
In October of 2000, Phillip Manuel, a well-known New Orleans jazz vocalist,
and Michael Cowan of Loyola University brought a group of friends and
associates together. The objective of this group was to share their dream of
creating an interracial gospel choir in New Orleans. As part of a commitment
to excellence, the choir engaged the services of an experienced and highly
regarded choirmaster. That person is Al Bemiss, music director at
Cornerstone United Methodist Church in New Orleans East.
A genuinely interracial organisation
“Like the nation, New Orleans has white institutions and black ones in
abundance. Very few of these institutions are genuinely interracial
organisations. Shades of Praise is proud to be in that number. In learning
to sing together, to praise and give thanks, and to do so with enthusiasm,
grace and style, we hope to bring some healing of racial wounds to
ourselves, to our city, and beyond” according to Michael Cowan.
This an initiative by the National Adult Literacy Agency
76 Lower Gardiner St., Dublin 1.
Tel: 01 855 4332 or email literacy@nala.ie
Blending voices and cultures
at the intersection of race,
faith and music
A full programme for the night
’’
At this event the audience will also hear Schola Cantorum, Irelands leading
plainchant choir, perform their unique brand of music. This choir is resident
at the Church of Adam & Eve’s and recently had a chart topping CD. In
addition Michael Cowan, Niall Crowley, Director of the Equality Authority
and Minister of State Ms Síle de Valera TD will speak at the event. This
initiative is supported by Merchants Quay Ireland.
Sharing a dream of creating an interracial gospel choir
In October of 2000, Phillip Manuel, a well-known New Orleans jazz vocalist,
and Michael Cowan of Loyola University brought a group of friends and
associates together. The objective of this group was to share their dream of
creating an interracial gospel choir in New Orleans. As part of a commitment
to excellence, the choir engaged the services of an experienced and highly
regarded choirmaster. That person is Al Bemiss, music director at
Cornerstone United Methodist Church in New Orleans East.
A genuinely interracial organisation
“Like the nation, New Orleans has white institutions and black ones in
abundance. Very few of these institutions are genuinely interracial
organisations. Shades of Praise is proud to be in that number. In learning
to sing together, to praise and give thanks, and to do so with enthusiasm,
grace and style, we hope to bring some healing of racial wounds to
ourselves, to our city, and beyond” according to Michael Cowan.
This an initiative by the National Adult Literacy Agency
76 Lower Gardiner St., Dublin 1.
Tel: 01 855 4332 or email literacy@nala.ie