There are many more than 95 reasons to love Alice Parker.
She is one of the world’s leading choral composers and arrangers (two sides of the same coin, says she. The only difference is in one case you wrote the melody, and in the other case someone else did.). She is a brilliant writer and teacher. She is kind, open, generous, and brilliant. Don’t believe me? Watch this recent wonderful documentary.
But let’s celebrate this one. In honor of her 95th birthday today, Alice is seeking donations to Chorus America’s newly established Alice Parker Fund. This endowed fund will “support the composition and thoughtful presentation of choral music based in the traditions of Black and Latinx [Hispanic/Latin American] communities, which have so deeply inspired Alice Parker’s work.” When the minimum balance of $50,000 has been raised, this fund will “generate an annual award of $2,000 recognizing a Black and/or Latinx composer or an ensemble that respectfully and authentically presents works incorporating these traditions.”
Alice is remarkable. Celebrate her with a gift today to support the fund.
As she wrote in her recent newsletter,
I have been so blessed all my life with wonderful family and friends and opportunities to make music. I can only give thanks to all who have joined me and made my life so rich. And now in these coda years comes a chance to spread the circle even wider, and benefit people who are carrying on the traditions that so inspired me.
Help us make this strangely silent year one that will be remembered for its generosity.