Survey Link: Self-Reflection & Dr. Whitehead Feedback

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Link to Survey

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Assorted Items

Concert Gown Replacement if Your Size is Not Available

DCJS Member Gillian Rossbach advised me that certain sizes of the Concert Gown are out of stock as the company is discontinuing that particular line. Below is the link to a Baruch approved replacement:

https://www.concertattire.com/products/samantha-performance-gown?variant=41826571288745

Change to Ad Copy Submission Method

Instead of requiring businesses to go online to submit their ad copy, you may get a copy of the business card and hand it off to Louis.  

Concert Update

Good Afternoon Jubilee,

The performance dates have been updated. Please save November 5th for 4:00 PM at the Cortland First Presbyterian Church. The last concert of the semester will take place in Ford Hall on Saturday, December 9th, at 3:00 p.m. Please remember to order your concert clothing and register.

Concert Selections

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Lily of the Valley

Order My Steps

Faithful Over a Few Things

For Every Mountain

Total Praise

Twelve Gates to the City

Kekeli Tso

Precious Lord

My God is a Rock

Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?

Battle of Jericho

My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord 

I've been Buked

Please mark your calendars for the following dates:

Fall Calendar Update:

Rehearsals Every Wednesday Evening from 7-9 p.m. (9:15 p.m. if needed)

Tuesday, October 10^th

Special rehearsal for WSKG Recording with Guest Artists, 7-9 p.m.

Wednesday, October 11^th

Documentary Recording for WSKG in Ford Hall, 7-9 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 18^th

recording for NYS 2024 MLK Celebration at the Presbyterian Church Downtown, 7-9 p.m.

Friday, October 13^th,

A.M.E. Celebration for those who can make it. (Fall-Break) 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 14^th

Small group recording at A.M.E. for WSKG

Friday, October 27^th

ACDA Concert Ford Hall 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November, 5th, 4:00 p.m. 

Cortland First Presbyterian Church

Sunday, October 29^th: Mandatory concert, 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 9th, 3:00 p.m.

--

Dr. Baruch J. Whitehead

Associate Professor of Music Education and World Music
Artistic Director of the Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers

Director of the High School Gospel Music Invitational Festival

Director of the School of Music Black History Month Celebration

Director of the School of Music Annual MLK Celebration

Artistic Director for the School of Music Porgy and Bess Production

Sailing Out Of A Different Home Port!

Kind Jubilee Friends,

I'm very excited to welcome you all back for another year of singing together as part of the ongoing creation of the Beloved Community! 

Several people have expressed legitimate concern about whether we will be able to maintain our community feeling with our move to Ithaca College. 

The Greeks have a philosophical question about whether a boat that, over time, has its parts gradually replaced is still the same ship.  DCJS is like that boat.  We have people who sing with us for a time and then move on. Other singers fill in the choir.  We change parts of our repertoire from year to year.  We change Board members.  Despite the constancy of change, we hold on to two ideals that keep our boat on course: our love for the music and our love for each other.  

The rough seas of the pandemic tossed our ship about. Still, we clung tightly to our ship and remained faithful.  Our captain changed course and steered our path through virtual concerts and then, as vaccines became available, through in-person rehearsals while wearing masks.  

And now as we sail out of a different home port, we worry that rough weather may lie ahead.  If you see the DCJS is taking on water, come talk to me. Together, we will figure out a way to repair the damage and continue our voyage. The transition may be difficult. But we have held fast through difficult times and with tenacity born of love, we will again.  

Joanna Upton recommended to me an article on the health benefits of singing in a group. I pass it on to you. 

Online Registration Opens tomorrow (Monday).  Here is the link to the  DCJS Homepage for Online Registration.  Thanks to Delvin Collier, our website manager, the process is pretty straight forward.   

In Peace, Love and Anticipation,

Louis Hicks

DCJS Board President

607-592-9860

Welcome back!

Friends,

As we create a community where everyone is welcome in the spirit of our cherished Dorothy Cotton, we are thrilled to welcome back new and returning members. I'm sure you'll extend a warm welcome to everyone as we start a new chapter for the group. Please read the following announcements:

Announcements:

The rehearsals will occur in room 3102 (Presser) on the third story of the Whalen Music Center at Ithaca College.  Our first practice is scheduled for Wednesday, August 23, from 7 to 9:15 p.m. in room 3102 Presser at the Center for Music. Please arrive before 7 o'clock. 

For your music, kindly bring a black 2-inch 3-ring binder.

We expect everyone to dress professionally for the concerts. Female-identifying singers will require a long, black concert dress. The dress—or one similar to it—can be purchased at Cousin's Concert Attire at this link:

Catherine 3/4 sleeve cowl neck:
Cousin's Concert Attire

If you are a male-identifying singer, you will need a black suit and a white shirt. Neckties will be provided for you.

Registration:

Registration will be open on Monday, August 21st.

Everyone is required to register for DCJS via our website:

New Member Section for Singers

Free

Fall 2024

Sign Up

PBS Expressions Program:

With our symphony orchestra, we'll be recording a documentary for PBS about the origins of gospel music. The group is indeed being honored by this. We obviously have a ton of work to complete in a short period of time. The show will be recorded at Ithaca College on October 11th, Wednesday. I'd like you to please be prepared with your concert clothes. Without appropriate concert attire, no one will be permitted to perform. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you need help finding or purchasing the necessary concert apparel. We want you to know that our goal is to help you. Before our meeting next week, please let me know if you need anything else.

Kind regards,

Baruch

Please register for Fall 2023-24!

Registration & Music Fee:
Regular - $60
College Student - $20
High School Student - $15

No one will be excluded from DCJS because of inability to pay the fee. If you are unable to pay the full registration fee, please apply coupon code INCLUSION and request a FULL scholarship during at checkout. College students, please use discount coupon code STUDENT and high school students HIGHSCHOOL

Please take note of the following information:

Concert Attire of DCJS

We strive to perform in concert in the tradition of the Fisk Jubilee Singers of the late 1800s (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisk_Jubilee_Singers). This means, in part, that we dress professionally.  Informal attire or flashy jewelry (except for a simple necklace of pearls, when possible) is not appropriate.  On the other hand, DCJS embraces a range of styles to welcome a diversity of people.   DCJS provides every choir member with a Kente cloth stole. 

Generally speaking, the members who choose to wear a dress, don a full-length dress in black, dark green or deep red. Those who choose to wear pants often don black Tuxedos. DCJS has some full-length dresses available.  If you need help finding a Tuxedo or you are unsure about your preferred attire, ask the Artistic Director, Dr. Baruch Whitehead. 

Our DCJS website: 

At: https://www.dorothycottonjubileesingers.org/singer-member-section you’ll be able to get the latest news from DCJS about Jubilee, see our performance schedule, order CDs, register and pay, etc. Sign up/in with your personal email and your password.

DCJS has 501(c)(3) “tax-exempt” status with the IRS. Thus, any donation to the group can be made directly to “Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers” and is fully tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

Rehearsals

In-person rehearsals are Wednesday evenings 7:00 – 9:15 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Ithaca. 

Do prepare before each rehearsal. Practice and listen to recordings and YouTube videos..

Do arrive on time. 

Do focus to make the most efficient use of our time. Please mute cell phones.

Do listen to the Directors for instruction on pitch, sound production, phrasing, etc. 

Do bring a pencil to make Directors’ notes and/or changes in the music.

Do listen to each other to synchronize and to blend.

Do ask questions. If you have a question, almost certainly someone else has the same one.

Do share what you know or have learned, especially in sectional rehearsals. 

Do take care of yourself.  For example, bring water.

Do have fun! We laugh a lot! 

Do respect the group’s needs. 

Follow the COVID protocols. Even if you ARE vaccinated, for the safety of the group, do NOT attend rehearsal if you are not feeling well. On the day of rehearsal, If you are able to take a rapid test, please do so!

Be sensitive to the allergies of others. Do NOT wear scented products of any kind (deodorants, after-shave, perfume, etc.) to rehearsals or to concerts. Even slight scents can sometimes set off the allergies of people with sensitivities.

Current DCJS Board of Directors for 2023-2024:

Louis Hicks, President Joanna Upton Melissa Blake

Bill Fry - Vice-President Katherine Gould Vicki Gayle

Caitlin Glastonbury - Treasurer Maddie Hoerbelt

Amber Ward - Secretary

Here are a few examples of tasks crucial to the operation of DCJS that anyone can do:

Join a Committee: Fundraising (Louis); Finance (Caitlin); Marketing (Maddie); 

Archives and History (Joanna); Concert Logistics (Bill) and Membership;  

Organize our sheet music; 

Pitch in as needed - moving risers for some concerts; stuffing envelopes for donation requests; etc.

Create your own task (see Louis).

In addition, please feel free to ask questions or bring up ideas/issues with any of the Board members.

Auditions Wednesday August 16 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church

The Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers is holding its annual open auditions for the choir on Wednesday, August 16 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church (309 N Cayuga Street).  Being able to read music is NOT REQUIRED.  You will be asked to match pitch and to repeat phrases that are played or sung.  If you cannot make that time, please email dcjs.corp@gmail.com to arrange an audition. 

The Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers are dedicated to the preservation of the Negro Spiritual and the legacy of Dorothy Cotton.  We rehearse every Wednesday from 7 - 9:15 p.m. in Ford Hall on the Ithaca College Campus.  We can make arrangements for transportation upon request.

In anticipation of another great year!