VocalEssence – Philip Brunelle, artistic director

Ginger Commodore has been a member of the Twin Cities music scene for many years. She is an original member of the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness, Twin Cities Gospel Ensemble and the JD Steele Singers, Women Who Cook and the local jazz ensemble, Moore by Four. She has shared the stage with such greats as Doc
Severensin and Patrice Rushen, toured Europe with "The Chiffons" and most recently performed with Kenny Loggins. Ginger's theatrical credits include: The World Premiere of Death In The Family with the Minnesota Opera Company, Black Nativity with the Penumbra Theatre Company, Black Belts at the Mixed Blood Theatre, Stamping, Shouting & Singing Home with the Children's Theatre Company and the local production of Smokey Joe's at Hey City Theatre.

Workshop Description
Students will work with Ginger to create a short program that recognizes music as a sustaining element of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. The workshop will include a discussion of Dr. Martin Luther King's involvement with the Civil Rights Movement and the creation of a paper "PEACE" quilt, symbolizing the class's commitment to preserving civil rights. Ginger will also teach a "PEACE" song, which students will perform at the end of the 2-day workshop.

To Prepare Your Students
Students will need to have some previous instruction on the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King, Jr. and be familiar with words that reflect thoughts of peace and freedom. Please have them read age-appropriate background materials from the WITNESS Teacher's Guide (see pages 23-35). Students should be willing to participate and ready to apply all of their creative talents to the project.

Please Note
Ginger can work with a maximum of four classes per day and requires a piano for this workshop.