repertoire - VOICES FROM THE ORAL TRADITION

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In a time of continuing religious wars, it seems appropriate to reflect on some of our religious roots and better acquaint ourselves with a sweep of poetry and song that speaks eloquently to that deep yearning of humanity to know and to name the presence of the divine in human affairs. These presentations of verse from various oral traditions celebrate the voices of women with a range of myth and sacred verse that suggest something of the evolution of this struggle. They involve both recitation from the various texts and response. If it can be said that these voices call to us from the past with a wisdom that has stood the test of time, then we give answer from our own time whether we respond or not. I have chosen to create something of a poetic dialogue by giving answer in my own voice. In doing so, I wish to provide a glimpse of a very ancient tradition of praise singing and to make it relevant as an incitement to greater tolerance for the beliefs of others in the light of the deep roots that claim us and the struggles ahead.

< Sacred Verse from The Old Testament (Harp)

< Victory Song of Deborah

< From Judges: The story of Jepthah’s Daughter

< From the Ancient Greek Oral Tradition of Praise Song (Harp) 

< Verse from Sappho

< Selections from Euripides’ Trojan Women

< Verse from The Cypria and Homer: Poets Pindar,Alcman and Simonides

< A Walking Song: Excerpts from the eye-witness account of “Trail of Tears”

< Verse from America’s Native American Oral Tradition

< “Song To November Moon” for Quatie Ross

< Hymn to Odin 

< Lay of Baldur 

< Song of The Sybil