Keynote Lecture, Concert, and Professional Development Opportunities

“We’ve Come This Far by Faith!” is the theme of the 2009 Religious History and Sacred Music Institute, a series of programs commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Messengers of Joy, a Cleveland State University student choral ensemble.

On Monday, April 20, the Institute begins with a 6 p.m. reception in the lobby of the Main Classroom Building. At 6:30 p.m., the Rev. Dr. Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan will deliver the keynote lecture, “Praying Grounds and Contested Terrain: African Americans, Religion, and the Academy,” in Main Classroom Auditorium. The program also features music by the Greater Cleveland Choral Chapter of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.

An accomplished pianist, vocalist, and author, Kirk-Duggan is a Professor of Theology and Women’s Studies at the Shaw University Divinity School and an ordained Elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Her published works include Exorcising Evil: A Womanist Perspective on the Spirituals, Refiner’s Fire: A Religious Engagement of Violence, Misbegotten Anguish: A Theology and Ethics of Violence, Violence and Theology, and The Sky is Crying: Racism, Classism, and Natural Disaster.

Main Classroom Building is located at 1899 East 22nd Street, at the corner of East 22nd and Euclid Avenue. The April 20th reception, lecture, and musical performance are free and open to the public and presented by RASHAD, Religion and Spirituality in the History of Africa and the Diaspora.

The 2009 Institute includes these programs:

New Music Seminar
Dr. James Abbington, Clinician
Saturday, April 25
9:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
$20 in advance, $25 at the door
Includes music packet with selections from GIA Publications African American Church Music Series
Trinity Cathedral
2230 Euclid Avenue
To register, visit www.giamusic.com/aacms or phone 1.800.442.1358

Spiritual Gifts Concert
David Manning Thomas, Music Director
Live Recording with Orchestra
Sunday, April 26, 2009
6:30 p.m.
$8 Students, Seniors, and Groups of 25 or more
$12 General Admission
$20 *Friends /Gift Givers — advance
$25 At the door
*Includes music packet
Cleveland State University
Music and Communication Building, Waetjen Auditorium
2001 Euclid Avenue

Wings Over Jordan Alumni & Friends, Inc.
Scholarship Auditions, 7:45 a.m.
Workshop, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Free
Includes continental breakfast, lunch, and presentations by Drene Ivy and others.
Cleveland State University
Music and Communication Building, Drinko Recital Hall
2001 Euclid Avenue

For more information on the 2009 Religious History and Sacred Music Institute, contact Dr. Regennia N. Williams at 216.523.7182.

Made possible in part with support from Cleveland State University’s Department of History and the CLASS Dean’s Office.

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