A nearly full University Theatre at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) was captivated by rich harmonic tones of the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers of Los Angeles on Feb. 4 as they performed a broad arrangement of melodies called “spirituals,” songs inspired by the hardships of African slaves. Founded in 1968, the acclaimed traveling company has helped engender international recognition of African American spirituals (also known as “Negro Spirituals”). Originally unaccompanied monophonic (unison) songs, spirituals are best known today in harmonized choral arrangements. “In the beginning there was the work, and the work became the song. In between 1720 and 1865 [when ... Read More
College of Arts and Humanities
A Change is Going to Come. But When?
What happens after a community rises up in protest and demands an end to inequality, brutality, racism and economic injustice? Justin Gammage, CSU Dominguez Hills assistant professor of Africana studies, examines whether or not civil rights movements – both past and present – have effected change. For the last couple of years, an angry chorus of protest has risen in response to a string of police shootings that have resulted in the deaths of unarmed African Americans across the United States. The Black Lives Matter movement, along with other activist groups, have newly elevated an old, persistent issue into the national dialogue. “In the last three years, there have been the largest ... Read More
Andreas Klein mesmerizes audience at Steinway by Starlight
Playing flawlessly by memory for more than an hour, classical pianist and Steinway Artist Andreas Klein left a lasting impression on the audience at the university's third Steinway by Starlight concert. California State University, Dominguez Hills' designation as an All-Steinway School provides an opportunity for the university to bring Steinway Artists such as Klein to campus, which gives music students additional experience in working with professionals and performing at a high level. In welcoming guests to the evening's performance, College of Arts and Humanities Dean Mitch Avila made that point. "As dean, I am absolutely committed to advancing opportunities for our performing arts ... Read More
Music student, guitar player Carlos Bolivar wins solo performance at LA symposium
While just looking to have a little “fun,” Carlos Bolivar, a music education major at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) won first place at the Guitar Foundation of America's (GFA) Regional Symposium and the opportunity to play solo guitar during the GFA's Evening Showcase Concert on Oct. 17 in downtown Los Angeles. “I didn't plan or prepare to compete, but my instructor Mathew Greif suggested that I should, so I did–to just have fun, meet other guitarists and to get feedback from the judges,” said Bolivar, who competed against 22 others in the college and pre-professional category during the performance auditions. “Since I didn't have the mindset that I might win, I ... Read More
Music major Surenna Saffari Performs in NYC stage reading of ‘Paloma’
While on a New York City subway on his way to playing guitar in a stage reading of the play “Paloma” on Oct. 6, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) student Surenna Saffari was a bit taken aback when he heard a 23-year-old woman tell a friend “I just want to go somewhere and listen to some cool jazz music on my birthday.” “I haven't met any other 23-year-old who would say that. It's so rare for someone our age to listen to that kind of music,” said Saffari, a 25-year-old music performance major at CSUDH. “Jazz is the true beauty of American music. There are so many gorgeous melodies and songs that came out of the jazz generation and era. They're really missing ... Read More
