Sounds as Language, Language as Sounds

March 26, 2019 Admin

Image Description: In this photo, Nishani Frazier starts her presentation with music that is essential to the identities from her hometown. It captures one of the exciting moments from the workshop, in which Frazier enlightens her audience with capt… — Image Description: In this photo, Nishani Frazier starts her presentation with music that is essential to the identities from her hometown. It captures one of the exciting moments from the workshop, in which Frazier enlightens her audience with captivating music and sounds to make a point of her presentation.

“Listen to the world around you!” What do you hear? What sounds do you notice? Dr. Nishani Frazier’s presentation reminds us the importance of sounds in oral history. Music theory and philosophy teach us to value sounds that are linked with places, people, cultures, and languages.

Review: “The B-Side: ‘Negro Folklore From Texas State Prisons’ A Record Album Interpretation"

March 5, 2019 Michael Falco

In this post, OHMA alum Bud Kliment reviews “The B-Side: ‘Negro Folklore From Texas State Prisons’ A Record Album Interpretation” a performance piece of musical theater and oral history based on the 1965 LP “Negro Folklore from Texas State Prisons.”

Starlives: Oral History and the Rock Interview

July 14, 2018 Admin

In this post, part-time OHMA student Bud Kliment reviews Elvis Presley: The Searcher, David Bowie: A Life, and David Bowie Is.

Alessandro Portelli and Barbara Dane: Records of resistance

March 13, 2018 Admin

In this post part-time OHMA student Bud Kliment examines the relationship of folk music to oral history through the intersecting careers of Alessandro Portelli and Barbara Dane, occasioned by the release of Dane’s retrospective Hot Jazz, Cool Blues and Hard-Hitting Songs on Smithsonian Folkways.

Mahalia and Studs, Mr. Jones and Dr. King

February 1, 2018 Admin

In this post, part-time OHMA student Bud Kliment reviews Glorious Mahalia by Stacy Harrop and Peace Be Till, by multimedia composer Zachary James Watkins as performed by the Kronos Quartet in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Music, Oral History, and the Self: A Look into Julia Wolfe’s Anthracite Fields

December 27, 2017 Admin

Image taken by Chris Lee for the Krannert Center

Current OHMA student Kyna Patel (2017 cohort) reflects on the historical and political themes in composer Julia Wolfe’s Anthracite Fields, as well as her personal connection with her work.

The Story is in the Strings

December 21, 2017 Admin

Julia Wolfe came to Columbia University to speak on December 7, 2017, and was interviewed live by Bud Kliment as part of the Workshop Series: Oral History and the Arts. Among other things, she spoke about her 2009 musical composition Steel Hammer that was based on the tale of John Henry and her 2014 musical composition Anthracite Fields that was a tribute to the Pennsylvania anthracite coal miners and their families.

Music lesson: notes on doing a public interview

December 18, 2017 Admin

Bud Kliment, a part-time OHMA student, reflects on his recent conversation with composer Julia Wolfe, and some of the challenges (and benefits) of conducting a public interview.

Review: “The B-Side: ‘Negro Folklore From Texas State Prisons’ A Record Album Interpretation"

November 16, 2017 Admin

In this post, part-time OHMA student Bud Kliment reviews “The B-Side: ‘Negro Folklore in Texas Prisons’ A Record Album Interpretation’” a performance piece of musical theater and oral history based on the 1965 LP “Negro Folklore from Texas State Prisons.”