OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi music professor has created a free online video library of interviews for vocalists and plans a live interactive interview with California composer Sara Graef at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday (March 25) at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts’ Studio Theater.
Nancy Maria Balach, associate professor of music, has created the Living Music Resource, which she calls a “music research revolution.” Besides the online resources, it allows participants to ask questions of vocal experts in real-time through interactive interviews, the first of which happens Tuesday, with Graef answering questions.
The interview will be live streamed on the website, and Balach will lead the interview session. To participate, log in as a guest with your name and city at http://olemiss.adobeconnect.com/livingmusicresource.
The second of the real-time interview sessions, which are known as the “Beat,” is slated for 3 p.m. May 2 and will feature Grammy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom and singer Joan Morris.
“LMR’s Beat is innovative and brings a humanities resource into the 21st century,” Balach said. “People who would otherwise not have the opportunity to interact with these esteemed artists will now have the chance, and these encapsulated educational moments will be forever digitally preserved on video.”
Music educators are eager to utilize the resource and want their students to participate, she said.
“Students will enjoy interacting and feel a sense of ownership in their learning experience. Performers will have their specific questions answered and needs met. Future concertgoers will feel a connection to the music and the artists, and anyone interested in music will embrace this free interactive experience.”
For more information, visit the Living Music Resource website.