2007 Events

Kalamazoo’s Sacred Harp Shapenote Singers presented a one-hour video, discussion and workshop session as a fringe event. This presentation was supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from General Mills Foundation, Land O’Lakes Foundation, and the Michigan Council […]

Chicago-based Donna Milanovich (flute) and Stephen Hartman (harp) presented a program based on Hebraic themes with guests Emily Lodine (vocalist featured in the award-winning documentary film Mystery of Love), and Elizabeth Start (cello).

The monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery constructed a mandala sand painting at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

A sacred flute program was presented by this master shakuhachi performer and teacher based out of Wyoming.

The award-winning a capella gospel sextet performed at Miller Auditorium. Also on the program was Kalamazoo’s NAEA GospelFest Choir, directed by Roland Sunkins.

Internationally known Muslim singer-songwriter Dawud Wharnsby returned by popular demand for a performance of English-language nasheed and original works. Internationally known singer Mohamad Aburatib performed Arabic-language nasheed.

Public Radio’s Ellen Kushner (pictured) returned to the Festival and moderated a multi-faith discussion, as well as premiered a new radio drama created in collaboration with Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz on Saturday. The three artists also participated in other activities during the weekend.

David Schrader, who has appeared on the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival in many roles, performed during the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music in 2007.

In addition to their mandala sand painting throughout the week, the monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery performed a public program of music and dance at Chenery Auditorium.

The Kalamazoo Singers (Thomas Kasdorf, Director) and the Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus (Fred Sang, Director) presented a Sunday afternoon concert at First Presbyterian Church.

Rohan Krishnamurthy (mridangam South Indian drum) led a youthful quartet (Shruti Iyer, Kirnavali Narasimhan, and Shoba Narayanan) in South Indian music and dance.