Participation Type
Music
Session Title
Session 7.18 Performance
Presentation #1 Title
Dust in the Bottomland
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Dust in the Bottomland is a 40-minute chamber opera for one singer, piano, and fixed media. Set in southern West Virginia, it is the story of a man who turned his back on West Virginia after leaving for college, and after ten years away, has returned home to be with his family as his sister lies in a coma induced by a prescription drug overdose. His observations and reflections on changes to the physical and social landscape of his home, recollections of why he left and the question of whether or not to stay make up the songs and spoken words of Dust in the Bottomland. For the past few months we have been performing the piece around Appalachia, and we are currently setting up performances outside the region. After each performance, we open up the floor for comments and questions. At the Appalachian Studies Conference, we would like to perform the piece and then have a similar discussion, at which point we would be happy to discuss art and depiction in Appalachia, as well as the process of our collaboration. Note: we will need a piano (preferably a grand or baby grand) in tune and in good working order, as well as a sound amplification system, but other than that none of the technology listed.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Nate May is a composer, pianist, music teacher, phonographer, and writer originally from Huntington and currently based in Fayetteville, WV.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Andrew Munn is a West Virginia-based community organizer and bass singer.
Dust in the Bottomland
Drinko Library 3rd Floor Atrium
Dust in the Bottomland is a 40-minute chamber opera for one singer, piano, and fixed media. Set in southern West Virginia, it is the story of a man who turned his back on West Virginia after leaving for college, and after ten years away, has returned home to be with his family as his sister lies in a coma induced by a prescription drug overdose. His observations and reflections on changes to the physical and social landscape of his home, recollections of why he left and the question of whether or not to stay make up the songs and spoken words of Dust in the Bottomland. For the past few months we have been performing the piece around Appalachia, and we are currently setting up performances outside the region. After each performance, we open up the floor for comments and questions. At the Appalachian Studies Conference, we would like to perform the piece and then have a similar discussion, at which point we would be happy to discuss art and depiction in Appalachia, as well as the process of our collaboration. Note: we will need a piano (preferably a grand or baby grand) in tune and in good working order, as well as a sound amplification system, but other than that none of the technology listed.
