Articulation
It is no coincidence that Diane introduced the “nigun†to me. Literally translated, “nigun†means “wordless song†and it is used in Chassidic music to evoke a sense of timelessness and deep spirituality. During Diane’s illness, music was a balm, often acting as a conduit for wordless communication. Using African and Asian instruments, Luis Garay has composed a “nigun†to accompany Articulation.
Music:
Joan Phalen
Trained classically, Phalen has sung with The Lyric Opera Company of Chicago and Minnesota Opera. A resident of the DC Metropolitan area for twenty years, she has performed locally at Round House Theatre, Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, and Opera Southwest. She is a member of the St. Alban’s Choir and sings with an acapella women’s group. For fifteen years, she directed the Kids Chorale, a community children’s chorus in Silver Spring.
Luis Garay
Described in the Washington Post as a percussionists of “marvelous virtuosity†Garay is a classical, jazz and Afro-Latin multi-percussionist. Born in Cordoba, Argentina, he is: a percussion soloist & director of Luis Garay Percussion World Ensemble; adjunct percussion faculty at Catholic University; Director of the CUA Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Program, and the Summer Lion Drummers; faculty of The St. Albans School & National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C.; and Jazz Ensemble director at Berman Hebrew Academy. During his 30 year career, he has performed throughout the Americas and Europe including a performance for Pope John Paul II in the Vatican and performances at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, The Organization of American States, Department of State, Smithsonian Institution, and the Washington National Cathedral.
Instruments Played:
Wrapped Paper Clips, Chinese Cymbals, Bamboo Chimes, Wind Chimes, Bell Chimes
,Rain Stick
,Spring Drum,Suspended Cymbal, Bell Tree,Timpani, Cascada, Tympani and Gong.