Community Calendar

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GRINNELL, Iowa — November 2-10, Grinnell College will play host to internationally-renowned vocalist, Christine Duncan. The Director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Voice Instructor at the University of Toronto, and founder-director of the celebrated improvising vocal group, The Element Choir, Duncan began learning her craft in church. A minister’s daughter, she performed with her musical family, The Duncans, in gospel shows on stages across North America from the age of five. When she was 15 she recorded her first album of her own original gospel tunes in Nashville. 

A musical chameleon with a near five octave range, Duncan uses her voice as an instrument, exploring its full tonal, timbral and textural range. She is involved in everything from Jazz, R&B, gospel, improvised music, sound poetry, to new music and musique actuelle. She has recorded and/or collaborated with Bob Murphy, Hugh Fraser, Miles Black, Veda Hille, Paul Plimley, Danielle Palardy Roger, Jean Martin, DB Boyko, and performed with such names as Anthony Braxton, Kenny Wheeler, Rufus Reid, P.J. Perry, Ray Charles, Linton Garner, Paul Horn, Jeff Healey, Andre Crouch, Sabeer Mateen, John Oswald, Paul Dutton, Michael Snow, Eugene Chadbourne, Nobuo Kubota and many others. 

During Duncan’s time on campus, she will work with music department students to develop vocal and improvisational skills.

• A vocal workshop on Wednesday, November 8 from 6-8 p.m. in Bucksbaum, Room 102 (The Egan Early Music Room). “The Voice as Instrument: Vocal Exploration and Improvisation” is open to everyone, students and the general public, and is available for singers from any background and level of experience (including no experience at all).