A radio diary from Ralph Farris, viola player from the string quartet Ethel, on the challenges of working with young composers on a Native American reservation. This story was produced by WNYC's Beth Fertig.
Great to hear what you are doing! Charmian, ( from Walnut Hill)
Jan. 10 2008 12:27 AM
Score: 0/0
Wendy Wheeler
Ralph - I just listened to your radio broadcast and, I must say, it brought tears to my throat. What an incredible gift you are bringing to all these young, budding composers. Bravo, my friend. Love, Wendy
Nov. 10 2007 11:34 AM
Score: 0/0
theo andriessen
from holland
what a nice diary, it gets so good the open and intence way of ethel's way of working. I was there at the tour, joining Ethel and recording special ringtones from the young nativa amerocan composers for the Internatiolal Ringtone Society. You can get them for free at http://usa.ringtonesociety.com/project/view/63
Nov. 04 2007 01:54 PM
Score: 0/0
Leo Tyo
from League City, TX
Glad you did the diary! It sounds like you are "giving back" in a very special and meaningful way. It was interesting to hear about it in this way. Judy and I wish you and "Ethel" every bit of success!
Nov. 03 2007 08:15 PM
Score: 0/0
Jeremy Silver
from London, UK
Hi Ralph,
Just listened in to your diary piece - what a wonderful story that was - I wished it could have been longer and that we could have heard more of the music and the process you went through with the students. It sounds like a really uplifting and inspirational time - keep it going! You are musical magicians!
With best wishes from London,
Jeremy
Nov. 02 2007 01:41 PM
Score: 0/0
Ralph Farris
from New York City
Dear Friends,
Thank you all for your kind responses to our piece!
In response to Sara's question above --
YES! We play music by our NACAP students all the time!
The biggest hit is a piece by Tuba City student Rodney Yazzie. Called "Possessed by Obscurity", it's basically Navajo Death Metal -- Absolutely AWESOME.
Nov. 02 2007 10:25 AM
Score: 0/0
Sara Coffey
from Marlboro, Vermont
Ralph - I am so happy to know about the work that Ethel is doing in Arizona with Native American communities. What an amazing exchange - it brought tears to my eyes! Any chance of you performing the songs outside of Arizona?
Nov. 02 2007 08:23 AM
Score: 0/0
Laurie Knight
from Santa Fe, NM
I hadn't heard of Ralph or of Ethel until my mom Anne Morgan let me know about the podcast this morning. What a wonderful audio postcard and a wonderful program. Thanks.
Nov. 01 2007 11:28 AM
Score: 0/0
stan grill
from haworth, nj
i continue to be amazed by ralph farris - and this radio diary only confirms my already high opinion of him. besides his musical talents, he always displays the warmest heart. go, ralph!
Oct. 31 2007 08:50 PM
Score: 0/0
Kentucky Pat
from Paris, Kentucky
The Soundcheck piece on Nativel American/ETHEL collaboration is wonderful.
When ETHEL visited Lexington, Kentucky, the ensemble introduced us to "Soho Hobo" and "The Pretty Song" by Mary Rowell. Now, six months latter, several "play by ear" string band musicians in the area still have a pretty strong grasp of part A---but everybody has a different version of part B. The piece is quickly becoming a piece of traditional Appalachian music!
Oct. 31 2007 08:37 PM
Score: 0/0
Tara Chambers
from New York, NY
Ralph! You guys totally ROCK! I had NO idea your quartet was doing all these cool things with Native American high school composers in AZ! How completely awesome! I LOVED listening to your radio diary. In addition to touches lives out there, you also make a GREAT story teller! You have that special voice! Congrats to all 4 of you! Best, best, best, Tara
Oct. 31 2007 05:30 PM
Score: 0/0
Lisa Whitfield
from Bronx, NY
Ralph Farris and I are good friends, and he and I recently had a very long chat about Ethel's work on the Res. As a musician myself, I really think that this is a fantastic project and commendable work. The Native American population is woefully under-represented in the American music world. Many of us pay lip service to what should be -- Ethel is turning that service into action, and those actions into results. Bravo to Ralph, Neil, Mary, and Dorothy for all they do.
Oct. 31 2007 05:10 PM
Score: 0/0
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Soundcheck®, hosted by John Schaefer, is WNYC’s daily talk show about music. Covering all musical genres, Soundcheck celebrates the musical passions of performers, composers, and critics as well as the public radio audience. Listeners enjoy intimate conversations with and live performances by leading artists from around New York and around the globe.
Comments [12]
Great to hear what you are doing!
Charmian, ( from Walnut Hill)
Ralph - I just listened to your radio broadcast and, I must say, it brought tears to my throat. What an incredible gift you are bringing to all these young, budding composers. Bravo, my friend. Love, Wendy
what a nice diary, it gets so good the open and intence way of ethel's way of working.
I was there at the tour, joining Ethel and recording special ringtones from the young nativa amerocan composers for the Internatiolal Ringtone Society.
You can get them for free at
http://usa.ringtonesociety.com/project/view/63
Glad you did the diary! It sounds like you are "giving back" in a very special and meaningful way. It was interesting to hear about it in this way. Judy and I wish you and "Ethel" every bit of success!
Hi Ralph,
Just listened in to your diary piece - what a wonderful story that was - I wished it could have been longer and that we could have heard more of the music and the process you went through with the students. It sounds like a really uplifting and inspirational time - keep it going! You are musical magicians!
With best wishes from London,
Jeremy
Dear Friends,
Thank you all for your kind responses to our piece!
In response to Sara's question above --
YES! We play music by our NACAP students all the time!
The biggest hit is a piece by Tuba City student Rodney Yazzie. Called "Possessed by Obscurity", it's basically Navajo Death Metal -- Absolutely AWESOME.
Ralph - I am so happy to know about the work that Ethel is doing in Arizona with Native American communities. What an amazing exchange - it brought tears to my eyes! Any chance of you performing the songs outside of Arizona?
I hadn't heard of Ralph or of Ethel until my mom Anne Morgan let me know about the podcast this morning. What a wonderful audio postcard and a wonderful program. Thanks.
i continue to be amazed by ralph farris - and this radio diary only confirms my already high opinion of him. besides his musical talents, he always displays the warmest heart. go, ralph!
The Soundcheck piece on Nativel American/ETHEL collaboration is wonderful.
When ETHEL visited Lexington, Kentucky, the ensemble introduced us to "Soho Hobo" and "The Pretty Song" by Mary Rowell. Now, six months latter, several "play by ear" string band musicians in the area still have a pretty strong grasp of part A---but everybody has a different version of part B. The piece is quickly becoming a piece of traditional Appalachian music!
Ralph! You guys totally ROCK! I had NO idea your quartet was doing all these cool things with Native American high school composers in AZ! How completely awesome! I LOVED listening to your radio diary. In addition to touches lives out there, you also make a GREAT story teller! You have that special voice!
Congrats to all 4 of you!
Best, best, best,
Tara
Ralph Farris and I are good friends, and he and I recently had a very long chat about Ethel's work on the Res. As a musician myself, I really think that this is a fantastic project and commendable work. The Native American population is woefully under-represented in the American music world. Many of us pay lip service to what should be -- Ethel is turning that service into action, and those actions into results. Bravo to Ralph, Neil, Mary, and Dorothy for all they do.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.