Soundcheck

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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?

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.

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

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!

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

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

Great to hear what you are doing!

Charmian, ( from Walnut Hill)