The Harlem Voices© Training Project (HVTP)
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The Harlem Voices© Training Project (HVTP) teaches about racism using a transformative and embodied approach. The vehicle for instruction is the Harlem Voices musical, which offers rich and varied ways to engage the subject; through listening to songs, performing them, reading the book, and enacting the play.
Because racism is so deeply embedded in American society, a historical context is important to understand how it has shaped our culture. The racial challenges faced by fictional black characters from the 1920s era provide a dramatic backdrop to those same present-day challenges. Setting the story in the 1920s offers a necessary refutation to the notion that systemic racism, for example, does not exist or that it is a recent political invention. The HVTP provides fresh insight into the long development of systems of oppression against people of color. They also allow participants to experience the present-day harm of racial injustice more profoundly. |
Clovice Lewis, creator of Harlem Voices© delivering a lecture.
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The Harlem Voices musical was written for, and is most impactful with, a predominantly African American cast. However, the musical deals with universal subjects and with topics that intentionally “bend” racial identities. Therefore, participants in the HVTP are encouraged to freely mix and match races, genders, and ethnicities for all the characters.
The goals of the HVTP are to...
HVTP Objectives
HTVP Components
Because the Harlem Voices musical offers such fertile ground for experiential and transformative learning, the HTVP is composed of several components that interact with and enhance each other:
Workshops - Several workshops introduce new concepts, spurring participants to investigate them further on their own. Workshops demonstrate and encourage the practice of actual methods. Hands-on skills are taught about countering oppression because the HVTP curriculum offers participants a chance to try new methods and experiences in a safe situation. Workshops are divided into two types: Non-Performance and Performance Groups. Workshops are designed for in-person, on-line, or hybrid delivery.
Seminars - A seminar is a form of academic instruction offered by a professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on a particular subject, in which everyone present participates. As the HVTP gains momentum and participation among different organizations, seminars will offer a forum for effective teaching strategies, measuring the effectiveness of the HVTP in larger communities, how to improve the project, and the like. [2] Seminars are designed for in-person, on-line, or hybrid delivery.
Performance Groups - the HVTP offers participants many opportunities to perform to deepen their artistic experience of Harlem Voices. Performance Groups are formed with artistic professionals who are trained as HVTP facilitators. Thus vocal soloists, small vocal ensembles, and choirs (for choral numbers) will be taught by vocal coaches/choir directors, dramatic readers and actors taught by theater coaches/directors, dancers taught by choreographers instrumental ensembles taught by orchestra conductors. Seminars are designed for in-person, on-line, or hybrid delivery. Performance Groups are designed for in-person delivery.
Facilitator Training - The HVTP will employ a “Train the Trainer” model as a primary training strategy. The trainer, a subject-matter expert or certified participant, trains other participants and simultaneously teaches them how to train others in using the HVTP. This method offers distinct advantages over other training models because trainees typically learn faster and retain the information better. The Train the Trainer model, where participants learn a subject and simultaneously learn how to teach others, provides feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment better than other teaching models. The model is well-suited for disseminating specific information quickly. [3] Facilitator Training is designed for in-person, on-line, or hybrid delivery.
Non-Performance Workshops
Several workshops, each featuring different aspects of the Harlem Voices musical, are offered for participants who are not necessarily interested in performing the piece professionally:
The World of Harlem Voices - An overview of the Harlem Voices universe and its relation to social justice issues today. Characteristics of the musical will be explored, such as the psychology of the characters, plot, structure, style of music, and central social and historical themes. There will be opportunities for script readings and performing music. The workshop will feature role-playing exercises, small group breakouts, and written reflection. Click here for the “World of Harlem Voices” Workshop curriculum.
Harlem Voices in History - Provides an in-depth study of the history explored in Harlem Voices. The emphasis will be on how characters react to and navigate the social, legal, and historical environment they inhabit. The choices they make and the consequences of their actions are examined in the light of present-day sociology. There will be opportunities for script readings. Role-playing exercises, small group breakouts, and written reflection will allow for deeply embodied teaching of the material.
The Music of Harlem Voices - This workshop is for professional and non-professional musicians alike. It is very “hands-on”, with many opportunities for individual and group performances. Musical styles and compositional elements of Harlem Voices are examined and how they relate to character development and history. The Harlem Voices musical will also be compared and contrasted with other musicals in the genre. The main activities in this workshop are listening, singing, playing along with, dancing to, and understanding the music of Harlem Voices.
The Harlem Renaissance: Then and Now - Participants will learn about the social, cultural, religious, and political circumstances which gave rise to the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s. The influences that inspired the work of the Harlem Renaissance’s artists will also be examined concerning present-day influences, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and how the burgeoning black middle and upper-class impacts perceptions of race in America. The Harlem Voices musical provides an artistic bridge between race, history, and politics of the two eras. There will be opportunities for script readings. Role-playing exercises, small group breakouts, and written reflection will allow for deeply embodied teaching of the material.
The Art of Liberation - This workshop examines why music is so integrally tied to the culture of liberation for African people and their descendants. It explores how African music has become the music of liberation and how the Harlem Voices musical contributes to a language of liberation by telling the “Universal Human Story”. This workshop also considers a much broader vision of the contribution of all art as a way of countering oppression. There will be opportunities for script readings and short performances from sections of the Harlem Voices musical. Role-playing exercises, small group breakouts, and written reflection allow for deeply embodied teaching of the material.
Performance Groups Overview
HVTP performance groups can be configured in many different ways. Ideally, combinations of groups (and individuals) can be incorporated into non-performance workshops and seminars. Although Performance Groups are primarily formed to “give voice” to the actual music and story of Harlem Voices, the “World of Harlem Voices” workshop will be incorporated into the Performance Group curriculum for all first-time participants.
All of the music for Harlem Voices is available as high fidelity recordings in a variety of audio formats: MP3, AIFF, and WAV. The full orchestral score was recorded with the highest quality sound samples in three modes: music without voice, music with an instrument playing the voice part (English Horn for Female voice and Bassoon for Male voice), and music with voice de-emphasized. Because Notion (by PreSonus) and XML files are also available for having a computer play the score in real-time and rearranging the music, the entire musical can be easily performed without an orchestra. If live musicians are not available to play particular instrumental parts, a computer can supplement those parts.
Full orchestral scores, piano reductions of scores, ensemble versions, and individual parts of all 25 numbers in Harlem Voices are available as pdf files. Timestamps to recordings and rehearsal letters are included in all the printed music to aid in rehearsals.
Performance Groups Workshops
Because so many essential components (music and text) of Harlem Voices are available, a wide range of opportunities for performance and embodied experiences are possible. This allows for individuals who do not identify as artists and performers to learn the music and dramatic scenes and present performances as integral parts of the Non-Performance Workshops.
For participants who wish to take a profoundly artistic experiential dive into the Harlem Voices universe, the following Performance Groups workshops are available:
Cross-pollination between concurrent workshops and performance groups is highly encouraged. Participants who have already taken the “World of Harlem Voices” workshop can enroll in all other HVTP workshops and seminars. Of course, professional artistic facilitators will also expand their workshop offerings for appropriate groups of individuals in the HVTP Performance Groups.
The Harlem Voices Performance Repository - The HVTP will maintain an online repository of performances shared by permission of participants. Over time, the repository will provide a rich resource for collaboration and study.
Seminar Overview
At present, there is one seminar about the Harlem Voices musical and the HVTP. More seminars will be offered as the HVTP gains momentum and participation among different organizations. A description of the sole seminar follows:
Countering Racism from the Inside Out: An Artistic Journey - This seminar presents the motivation, history, and artistic vision of the Harlem Voices musical as a vehicle for countering oppression and effecting social change in the world. Excerpts from the musical are analyzed from music composition and dramatic writing perspectives. The workshop also examines the musical form’s resurgent power as an agent for communicating important social messaging. Musicals, such as Hamilton, and contributions of other art forms to countering racism are examined. Finally, the other two sequels to the Harlem Voices musical composed by Clovice Lewis; Harlem Voices: Revisited, and Harlem Voices: Legacy, will be discussed.
The goals of the HVTP are to...
- provide an embodied learning experience for participants
- give context about the long historical struggle for racial equity
- allow participants to translate shared human values into personal insight
- have fun
HVTP Objectives
- Relevance. The topic and content about racism (and social justice in general) need to be relevant to the participants and help them learn about the subject on a fundamental level. A survey will be sent to potential attendees before the event to gain feedback on specific questions or concerns they are facing. The survey will ensure that expectations about the training are relevant. See the “World of Harlem Voices” Workshop Pre-Survey.
- Clear objectives. Along with making the content relevant, attendees will know what to expect out of the training. Objectives will be communicated so attendees can be prepared to digest the information presented fully.
- Hands-on! The project teaching experiences are designed to allow participants to interact with each other and with facilitators. There will be opportunities to divide people into groups to collaborate on small projects. We understand that many people learn best by doing.
- Concrete examples. Concrete embodied examples will demonstrate why the content is relevant to make the connection between HTVP content and the participant’s own life.
- Guidance. The HTPV will provide explicit instructions and guidance for what participants can after the training to ensure they have absorbed the knowledge and feel comfortable applying it. [1]
HTVP Components
Because the Harlem Voices musical offers such fertile ground for experiential and transformative learning, the HTVP is composed of several components that interact with and enhance each other:
Workshops - Several workshops introduce new concepts, spurring participants to investigate them further on their own. Workshops demonstrate and encourage the practice of actual methods. Hands-on skills are taught about countering oppression because the HVTP curriculum offers participants a chance to try new methods and experiences in a safe situation. Workshops are divided into two types: Non-Performance and Performance Groups. Workshops are designed for in-person, on-line, or hybrid delivery.
Seminars - A seminar is a form of academic instruction offered by a professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on a particular subject, in which everyone present participates. As the HVTP gains momentum and participation among different organizations, seminars will offer a forum for effective teaching strategies, measuring the effectiveness of the HVTP in larger communities, how to improve the project, and the like. [2] Seminars are designed for in-person, on-line, or hybrid delivery.
Performance Groups - the HVTP offers participants many opportunities to perform to deepen their artistic experience of Harlem Voices. Performance Groups are formed with artistic professionals who are trained as HVTP facilitators. Thus vocal soloists, small vocal ensembles, and choirs (for choral numbers) will be taught by vocal coaches/choir directors, dramatic readers and actors taught by theater coaches/directors, dancers taught by choreographers instrumental ensembles taught by orchestra conductors. Seminars are designed for in-person, on-line, or hybrid delivery. Performance Groups are designed for in-person delivery.
Facilitator Training - The HVTP will employ a “Train the Trainer” model as a primary training strategy. The trainer, a subject-matter expert or certified participant, trains other participants and simultaneously teaches them how to train others in using the HVTP. This method offers distinct advantages over other training models because trainees typically learn faster and retain the information better. The Train the Trainer model, where participants learn a subject and simultaneously learn how to teach others, provides feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment better than other teaching models. The model is well-suited for disseminating specific information quickly. [3] Facilitator Training is designed for in-person, on-line, or hybrid delivery.
Non-Performance Workshops
Several workshops, each featuring different aspects of the Harlem Voices musical, are offered for participants who are not necessarily interested in performing the piece professionally:
The World of Harlem Voices - An overview of the Harlem Voices universe and its relation to social justice issues today. Characteristics of the musical will be explored, such as the psychology of the characters, plot, structure, style of music, and central social and historical themes. There will be opportunities for script readings and performing music. The workshop will feature role-playing exercises, small group breakouts, and written reflection. Click here for the “World of Harlem Voices” Workshop curriculum.
Harlem Voices in History - Provides an in-depth study of the history explored in Harlem Voices. The emphasis will be on how characters react to and navigate the social, legal, and historical environment they inhabit. The choices they make and the consequences of their actions are examined in the light of present-day sociology. There will be opportunities for script readings. Role-playing exercises, small group breakouts, and written reflection will allow for deeply embodied teaching of the material.
The Music of Harlem Voices - This workshop is for professional and non-professional musicians alike. It is very “hands-on”, with many opportunities for individual and group performances. Musical styles and compositional elements of Harlem Voices are examined and how they relate to character development and history. The Harlem Voices musical will also be compared and contrasted with other musicals in the genre. The main activities in this workshop are listening, singing, playing along with, dancing to, and understanding the music of Harlem Voices.
The Harlem Renaissance: Then and Now - Participants will learn about the social, cultural, religious, and political circumstances which gave rise to the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s. The influences that inspired the work of the Harlem Renaissance’s artists will also be examined concerning present-day influences, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and how the burgeoning black middle and upper-class impacts perceptions of race in America. The Harlem Voices musical provides an artistic bridge between race, history, and politics of the two eras. There will be opportunities for script readings. Role-playing exercises, small group breakouts, and written reflection will allow for deeply embodied teaching of the material.
The Art of Liberation - This workshop examines why music is so integrally tied to the culture of liberation for African people and their descendants. It explores how African music has become the music of liberation and how the Harlem Voices musical contributes to a language of liberation by telling the “Universal Human Story”. This workshop also considers a much broader vision of the contribution of all art as a way of countering oppression. There will be opportunities for script readings and short performances from sections of the Harlem Voices musical. Role-playing exercises, small group breakouts, and written reflection allow for deeply embodied teaching of the material.
Performance Groups Overview
HVTP performance groups can be configured in many different ways. Ideally, combinations of groups (and individuals) can be incorporated into non-performance workshops and seminars. Although Performance Groups are primarily formed to “give voice” to the actual music and story of Harlem Voices, the “World of Harlem Voices” workshop will be incorporated into the Performance Group curriculum for all first-time participants.
All of the music for Harlem Voices is available as high fidelity recordings in a variety of audio formats: MP3, AIFF, and WAV. The full orchestral score was recorded with the highest quality sound samples in three modes: music without voice, music with an instrument playing the voice part (English Horn for Female voice and Bassoon for Male voice), and music with voice de-emphasized. Because Notion (by PreSonus) and XML files are also available for having a computer play the score in real-time and rearranging the music, the entire musical can be easily performed without an orchestra. If live musicians are not available to play particular instrumental parts, a computer can supplement those parts.
Full orchestral scores, piano reductions of scores, ensemble versions, and individual parts of all 25 numbers in Harlem Voices are available as pdf files. Timestamps to recordings and rehearsal letters are included in all the printed music to aid in rehearsals.
Performance Groups Workshops
Because so many essential components (music and text) of Harlem Voices are available, a wide range of opportunities for performance and embodied experiences are possible. This allows for individuals who do not identify as artists and performers to learn the music and dramatic scenes and present performances as integral parts of the Non-Performance Workshops.
For participants who wish to take a profoundly artistic experiential dive into the Harlem Voices universe, the following Performance Groups workshops are available:
- Solo and Small Ensemble Vocalists
- Choir/Chorus
- Orchestral
- Dance (for Chorus and Characters)
- Set Design
- Costuming
Cross-pollination between concurrent workshops and performance groups is highly encouraged. Participants who have already taken the “World of Harlem Voices” workshop can enroll in all other HVTP workshops and seminars. Of course, professional artistic facilitators will also expand their workshop offerings for appropriate groups of individuals in the HVTP Performance Groups.
The Harlem Voices Performance Repository - The HVTP will maintain an online repository of performances shared by permission of participants. Over time, the repository will provide a rich resource for collaboration and study.
Seminar Overview
At present, there is one seminar about the Harlem Voices musical and the HVTP. More seminars will be offered as the HVTP gains momentum and participation among different organizations. A description of the sole seminar follows:
Countering Racism from the Inside Out: An Artistic Journey - This seminar presents the motivation, history, and artistic vision of the Harlem Voices musical as a vehicle for countering oppression and effecting social change in the world. Excerpts from the musical are analyzed from music composition and dramatic writing perspectives. The workshop also examines the musical form’s resurgent power as an agent for communicating important social messaging. Musicals, such as Hamilton, and contributions of other art forms to countering racism are examined. Finally, the other two sequels to the Harlem Voices musical composed by Clovice Lewis; Harlem Voices: Revisited, and Harlem Voices: Legacy, will be discussed.
"Harlem Voices" © Clovice A. Lewis, Jr. 2020 All Rights Reserved.
