Televised Address to the Nation on Civil Rights

for SSAATTBB chorus and electronics keyboard

Aaron Gervais

Televised Address to the Nation on Civil Rights

for SSAATTBB chorus and electronics keyboard Duration: 12 minutes June 2013

Aaron Gervais
Commissioned by Artists Vocal Ensemble & Russ Irwin Dedicated to Russ Irwin for his indefatigable support of composers and contemporary music

Copyright 2013, Aaron Gervais (SOCAN). All rights reserved. www.aarongervais.com | www.artmusicpromotion.org

Program Note
This piece was commissioned by AVE for a concert to take place on the date of John F. Kennedys assassination. In his honor, we decided on a piece that was based on his presidential speeches, since works of the US government are not covered by copyright and can be used freely by anyone. This also fits well with my longstanding interest in reappropriation and found materials, which made the concept doubly appealing to me. The entire text of the piece is taken from JFKs Televised Address to the Nation on Civil Rights from June 11, 1963. A sampler controlled by a keyboardist plays back excerpts of Kennedy giving the address, creating a kind of artificial JFK that can speak on command and be played like an instrument. The chorus also sings excerpts from the speech, sometimes the same words as the sampler and sometimes different. Often, the two forces work in call and response, though they also create counterpoint with one another. Each section features excerpts of text on a given theme, though they are not always taken from adjoining parts of the speech. Words that are used frequently in the address are also singled out, namely: free, equal, streets, right, violence, and chance. As a whole, the piece is a tribute to the humanistic themes of Kennedys address, presented in a musical form that accentuates their spirit and highlights their ongoing resonance, even 50 years later.

Instrumentation & Technical Setup

SSAATTBB chorus keyboardist SuperCollider script (provided with the score) Apple computer (OS X 10.6 or higher) 88-key, velocity-sensitive keyboard controller (no sounds/patches needed) Digital audio and MIDI interface for computer Stereo sound system All appropriate cables

Technical Details: The SuperCollider script is essentially a sampler that plays back short excerpts from JFKs speech. The part is written like a normal keyboard part and can be performed by any pianist or keyboardist. Do not use any of the built-in keyboard sounds (if present), and make sure to turn down the keyboard volume to zero. Only sounds produced by the SuperCollider script should be heard. There is no need for volume or sustain pedals. However, the script is velocity sensitive, so the samples will be played back louder or softer depending on how loud/soft the performer plays. Dynamics are provided in the score in the usual fashion. Place the stereo speakers to either side of the ensemble. Monitors may be used if desired, but the singers do not need to listen to the SuperCollider part very closely, since there is no pitch or rhythmic coordination between the two groups. Adjust the volume of the sound system so that it is almost equal with the ensemble but slightly quieter. At the start of the piece, the two should sound relatively balanced. At the end of the piece, the SuperCollider part should be clearly audible, but it should never drown out or overpower the singers.

Keyboard (sampler)

Televised Address to the Nation on Civil Rights

John F. Kennedy, June 11, 1963
Aaron Gervais
Slow q = 72 rall.
(all audio samples taken from Kennedys address)

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free

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enjoy the full and free life

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not fully free

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until all its citizens are free

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Copyright 2013 Aaron Gervais (SOCAN), all rights reserved. Original text and recording of Kennedy's speech is in the public domain. www.aarongervais.com | www.artmusicpromotion.org

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18
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