pye aleman

Program Notes

The Republic of Haiti was created in 1804 by slaves who revolted against France, believing the message of the French Revolution, that all people are free and equal, was as true for the black man as it was for the white man. Modern Haitians are descended from generations of intermarriage between a variety of West from the French and the Taino Indians. Similarly Haitian cultural life is a rich mix of become an effective synthesis of Christianity mainly by poorer, rural Haitians as a way of creating a collective community between the extended family and the nature spirits that they believe respond to singing and dancing. These Haitians are also Christians who believe in one God. The similar ways to Catholic Saints and are used as symbols representing the various human worshiped through singing, dancing, and drumming. I have watched as the music at these gatherings creates a sense of warmth and security in a community that helps people become completely free to express themselves, revealing the true dignity of the human spirit. It is this sense of freedom, community and expression of human emotion that we all seek through group singing and music whenever or wherever we live.