I ARTS j The Michigan Daily Thursday, February 3, 1983 Page 6 Students learn the ways of medieval musicians 4 By David Martinez STUDENTS TAKING the course The History of Music-140 literally took a step back in time yesterday. Instead d4 listening to a lecture on how music Was performed in a typical church ser-. dice of the middle ages, the students performed their own rendition of a thir- teenth-century mass. . In addition to singing music charac- feristic of the period, the students created a liturgy which made use of traditional processions, readings, and Orayers. The ceremony took place in tie School of Music Recital Hall, using the stage as a sanctuary-complete with altar, lecterns, and choir stalls. The whole project was designed by 11usic professor James Borders. Bor- Aers was inspired to re-create a medieval liturgy after hearing the per- S rmance of a medieval mass during lst year's International Medieval Con- ference in Kalamazoo. Students in the music history class were given a choice of singing in the Schola Cantorum (chorus of singers), or composing a medieval motet (a polytextual piece with a plainchant tenor as the lowest voice). Those choosing to sing in the Schola met out- side of class for two hours each week. This time was spent learning how to sing Gregorian chant; chant being a vocal, unaccompanied, melodic line with a Latin sacred text. The early music novices soon discovered that learning to sing chant correctly required the ability to sing from "square notation" (different from the traditional musical notation we use today), knowledge of alternation prac- tices between soloists and chorus, and the use of principles such as rhythmical and accentual treatment of words and music. After a month of preparation, the students were ready for the premier of their medieval mass. The ritual began ANN ARBOR CIVIC THEATRE Main Street Productions Presents An Evening vAth lonesco TheB0ald Soprano A The Lesson January 27, 28, 29 and February 3, 4, 5 8:00 P.M. For Ticket Information 662-7282 338 South Main with the entrance procession, or introit. During this part of the ceremony, students and spectators processed single file into the mock cathedral, while the twenty-five member Schola sang the Latin text from the third mass for Christmas Day ("For unto us a son is born"). After the assembly had entered, the Kyrie (Lord have mercy) followed, featuring the alternation of singing between cantors and chorus. The Gloria (Glory to God in the highest) was intoned by priest Val Wenson, and the remaining phrases sung effectively in alternation, contrasting men's and women's voices. Items composed in polyphony were also sung, in keeping with thirteenth- century practice. A conductus for three voice parts served as processional music for the sub-deacon Daniel Hen- drickson, as he processed to the lectern to read the Epistle. Both Hendrickson and Wenson sang convincing solo roles as members of the clergy. The Gradual and Alleluia utilized florid two-part "organum duplum", written by the composer Leonin at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in the late twelfth-century. The class period en- ded with the singing of the Credo (I believe in one God), and the remainder of the work will be performed tom- morrow at 9:30 in the School of Music Recital Hall. Music Professor Glenn Watkins remarked afterwards, "An atmosphere took over that's difficult to obtain in the classroom." Indeed, the Mass accom- plished its goal of serving as a live teaching aid. As Borders put it, "The project was designed to help the studen- ts understand the music in its proper performing context." All of the students were excited about the performance. Percussionist Charlie Taylor explained, "It was fun. It taught me a lot of things about medieval music." Composition student Laurie Ochsner added, "It's easier to understand something when you've sung it yourself." Other students remarked that the project helped them with other areas in the discipline of music, such as providing inspiration for new com- positions, or enlightening them to the possibilities of "free rhythm" in music. Perhaps the most important objec- tive accomplished in this performance was the sound of the music itself. Ochsner summarized many students thoughts when she said, "I volunteered to sing because I never knew what some of this music sounded like." Now they know. $\ A \ DJ 'spins-for-dollars' during WCBN's fundraiser. Put your moneyon c7BN PUT EM JUSTFO AWAY , s E1c ffr s r) 1 By Joe Hoppe RADIO FREE Ann Arbor starts asking for money today. The University of Michigan's student- run radio station (88.3 on your dial) starts its fourth annual on-the-air fun- draiser at 9 a.m. It will continue for 88.3 hours, and end Sunday night. Although WCBN is funded by the University, over half of its yearly operating budget comes from con- tributions. This year's fundraiser is an important one for WCBN. With all the budget cuts going on, the station is also in danger. "They don't always seem terribly pleased with us," says Publicity Director Lori Bizer, referring to the University administration. Hopefully, in a few months the station will be upping its wattage from 10 to 200. Then people outside Ann Arbor will be able to listen in. If this works out, WCBN might need some extra money. But as far as the fundraiser goes, "It's like a party all the time on the air," saysBizer, publicity director for the fundraiser. Some of the best programming of the year will be broad- cast over 88.3 for the next four days. Live performances of local bands, live drama, and interviews will all be aired. All of the good programming will be generously sprinkled with pleas for cash, and those donating can also get premiums from area businesses; gift certificates, t-shirts, free meals, and other "less serious" stuff as well. The number to call to contribute is 763-3501. "I'll admit I don't listen to 'CBN all the time, but during the fundraiser I could constantly," says Bizer. Now let's see exactly why : Thursday - Highlights are live har- monica virtuoso Madcat Ruth, eight different theatre groups doing fifteen minute sketches, a special edition of the Modernistic radio show and pianist Dave Wild. Friday - Lots of live music. The Variables play on the All Out Attack hardcore radio show, David Glazier and Stewart Cunningham perform for the jazz House Party show, and throughout the day local groups Aluminum Beach, Some Problems, It Play, Crate, Dick Seigel, and reggae bands The Pulsations and Stolen Legacy will be broadcast. Also the greatest hits of WCBN'G announcements and a live food tasting from the People's Food Co-op on the Nutrition Outreach show. Saturday - The Folk show hosts Gerald Ross and the Broadway Playboys. George Bedard and the Bon- nevilles then Garth and Dave play on the Down Town/Rockabilly Show. The Sailcatz perform on Nothing But the Blues. Also, a taped broadcast of The Freedom Rally and a live 'cast of the University Gospel Choir. * Sunday - The big event in the after- noon is the Rotating Radio show's remote broadcast of a chant-in with the Shaman's Dance group. It happens in the Nickles Arcade and everybody is invited to join in. (Stay tuned for when.) Also, the radio debut of the Dharma Bums and early Sun Ra on the Real Black Miracles show. Sunday's real big news is the WCBN Benefit Bash. It starts at the Michigan Union Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $4 but if you contributed that much or more you get in free. Five area bands have donated their time for the bash: George Bedard and the Bonnevilles, featuring many longtime Ann Arbor musicians and many longtime great country/rockabilly tunes. The World famous Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band from Port of Spain Trinidad beats out Calypso and Reggae on won- drously tuned oil drums. Non Fiction one of Ann Arbor's best new music bands. Ben and Larry Miller doing great original material. The Sun Messengers brass from Detroit doing Third World and blues. Orquestra K-Che Detroit's premiere Salsa group. Don't worry if for some inexplicable reason you can't be at the bash, you can still hear it on 88.3's simulcast. . WCBN is.a rare bird amongst college radio stations. It's one of the few 24- hour seven-days-a-week broadcasters, and rarer yet, it's totally freeform. C$N is worth supporting-remember, 763-3501. ADAY. s L Doyu 44 Iw *" I.x rie 4oa 4 #j1 For Eyveryone. Herz rnt 5bds ndmhe"'ineca STUDENTS NEED A CAR? NO CREDIT CARD? You Can Now Rent A Car At Hertz With A Cash Deposit* Name Local Address City, State, Zip Phone Name of Present Employer Address City, State, Zip Employer Phone Number Bank Reference (Name, City, Branch) Social Security Number Student Identification Number I FRI INDIVIDUAL THEATRES ENDS TONIGHT "THE DARK CRYSTAL" a#-5:50, 7:40, 9:30 (PG) JAMES WOOD DEBORAH HARRY mm ,r' FRI-6:15, 8:05, 9:45 (R) RI and SAT ONLY, LATE SHOW OF "VIDEODROME" AT 11:30 p.m. ALL SEATS $2.25 L i I GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER MERYL STREEP Best Actress in a Drama 1 "NO MORE MR.NICE