Worlds of Music in Williamsburg
For one short night, Williamsburg and William & Mary came together in a celebration of the local and the global as the W&M Global Film Festival presented Worlds of Music in Williamsburg. The student produced series of documentary shorts, followed by a community banquet, served as the festival's opening event.
The complete set of videos are:
The lost art of the box: With Jim Rice (by Max Brumby '11 and Matt Wilder '10)—Jim
Rice offers
perspectives on the significance of the accordion through his own
experiences.
Lance Pedigo, Cultural Chamelion (by Max Faubion '10, Austin Journey '11 and Dusk Henderson '10)—Lance Pedigo lays down the beat in his Jewish klezmer band, his traditional Irish band and as a leader of the Colonial Fife and Drum Corps.
Mabuhay! The Philippines in Williamsburg (by Ben Del Mundo '10)—A glimpse into the musical culture of the Filipino Community, both on and off the William & Mary campus in Williamsburg.
The gospel according to Williamsburg (by Janaye Adkins '11)—Williamsburg's gospel tradition has been nurtured for years by local African American churches.
Back to the Basics (by Janaye Adkins '11 and Caitlin Clements '11)—William & Mary student Salvi Mukabumwe discusses Ghanian influences on his own musical endeavors.
Bringing the Emerald Isle to DoG Street (by Caitlin Clements '11, Mike Erickson '10 and Michelle O'Brien '11)—A look at the participants in Williamsburg's own Irish Music Session.
According to Tim Barnard, director of the festival and visiting assistant professor of American studies, film studies and English, the project was designed to bring together diverse groups within the Williamsburg community through the power of student-produced films highlighting the array of world music traditions alive in the area.
"Both the student filmmakers and the subjects of the documentary shorts were amazed to see their work presented in a single venue with those of their colleagues and peers," said Barnard. “As a whole, this part of the festival achieved our goal of highlighting the dynamics of the local and global together as part of our mission as a community-centered event."
The films were created as part of an advanced documentary filmmaking class (film 351) integrated into the festival production. The course was overseen by Barnard, Arthur Knight, director of film studies at the College, and Sharon Zuber, visiting assistant professor of English.
"The students, in contributing to this project, made quantum-leaps in their abilities as apprentice filmmakers while forging lasting relationships with the people of Williamsburg for themselves and as representatives of the university," Barnard said. "The students were amazed by the artistry and diversity of talents they encountered while local musicians were equally impressed by the intelligence, skills and sensitivities of the students committed to documenting their stories."
The Worlds of Music in Williamsburg student documentary project was sponsored by the Reves Center for International Studies, the Roy R. Charles Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, the Film Studies Program and the Swem Media Center at the College.
