Explosion of Gospel Singing in Argentina
WHEN: 9-18 April, 2020
WHERE: Buenos Aires
COST: From $4450 cost AUD plus $USD100 Early Bird (Full rate $4750 from Sept 1) plus $USD100 Book Now
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Sing it up and dance it out in Buenos Aires
We are proud to be bringing three extraordinary teachers together in the colourful and passionate city of Buenos Aires to create a powerful singing workshop
and concert experience! A celebration of Gospel in all it’s shades - Gospel Blues, Spiritual & Rock.
Just imagine a week of singing, tango and dance in the streets and a grand finale concert with our warm and wonderful local hosts.
–- 2 rehearsals daily with 2 fabulous directors offering different approaches to gospel singing.
Tony Backhouse (AUST/NZ) - African Spirituals and American Gospel A Cappella, Eric Dozier (USA) - Gospel Soul and Blues, we will also have sessions with the director of The Argentina Gospel Choir, Gerardo Flores (ARGENTINA) Gospel Soul & Rock! - Attend a singing rehearsal of the large and super dynamic Argentina Gospel Choir.
- Time in the middle of the day to relax or explore the city or walk the streets of Palermo Soho to see the very talented and colourful street art.
- A tour of the historic and colourful La Boca area.
- Watching or participating in dancing in the streets in San Telmo or Tango dancing in Plaza Dorrego
- An option to take a tango dancing class in one of the many tango studios near our hotel.
- Group tour to an Estancia to experience life as an Argentinian 'cowboy or cowgirl'. Visit the town of San Antonio de Areco,
then off to the ranch to enjoy a Gaucho show and a BBQ lunch. If you're up for it why not try horse riding around
the property!
- Staying in San Telmo in a boutique hotel close to where we will rehearse, the city centre, tango studios and a fabulous retro market. This character rich area is the oldest part of town and some parts are very lively.
His musical direction changed in 1985 when he became fascinated by the male a cappella quartets from the black gospel tradition, and Tony subsequently
founded a cappella quartet the Elevators, & two a cappella choirs: the award-winning Cafe of the Gate of Salvation & the Honeybees & later started gospel quartet Heavenly Light Quartet. He has appeared at many festivals
(eg. WOMADelaide, the World Choral Symposium in Sydney, West Coast A cappella Summit in San Francisco,
the West Coast Sacred Music Festival in Vancouver, East Coast Blues & Roots Festival,
Sing Aoteoroa) and toured with the Heavenly Lights to NZ, France & Spain.
He has received composer commissions from the Song Company & the Sydney Children’s Choir, and in 1990 he received an Australia Council International
Study Grant to research Black gospel traditions in the USA. Tony has made many trips to the USA to engage with black gospel traditions &
has led the Café of the Gate of Salvation and the Band of Angels (WA) on tours of the USA, and directed New Orleans choir the Heralds of Christ
at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Gospel Tent.
Tony’s other projects include performing & recording with pianist/composer Peter Dasent under the Blessed Relief umbrella, and with guitarist/composer Fane Flaws & Peter Dasent as The Bend.
We have invited Tony to be our choir director in Samoa, Italy and Bali and continue to be honoured to be working with him today.
"We’d like to see a big medal on that man’s chest – he has brought music into more people’s lives, good music, music you make, than anyone we can think of in the Antipodes. Respect and thanks." - Sam Neill, Actor, NZ
About Eric Dozier
Eric is a gospel music educator from Nashville, TN, USA, a cultural activist, musician, and father. He is committed to assisting communities in developing creative, transformative platforms from which to launch dynamic acts of service to humanity by exploring the confluence of music, community, education and activism.
Eric has traveled the world for the last 20 years working with choirs, community groups and schools performing and conducting workshops which focus on the history and significance of African American musical traditions particularly those that are centered around group singing.
Feature director of Festival of Voices - 2012, 2014, 2017 and also worked with a large range of choirs throughout Australia including Melbourne Singers of Gospel, Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir, Stairwell to Heaven, Strange Weather, Cafe at the Gates of Salvations, the Glorious MUDsingers."I was incredibly fortunate to join the One Human Family Gospel Choir in Vancouver under the direction of Tennessee born, Eric Dozier. This choir has enriched my life in ways for which I will always be grateful." Sally CollinsThrough his role as co-founder and National Director of Arts and Education for One Human Family Workshops, Inc., Eric set out to devote his musical, spiritual, and intellectual talents to eradicating social, religious, racial, gender, and cultural discrimination. Through heart-stirring gospel music and traditional spirituals, dynamic speeches, historical presentations, and interactive music workshops he has dedicated himself to welding the hearts and minds of a divided humanity into one loving fellowship. During this time he also served as the musical director for the World Famous Harlem Gospel Choir and the award-winning Children’s Theatre Company of NYC. Through these collaborations, he has been honored to share the stage with the likes of Harry Belafonte, Angelique Kidjo, Raffi, and even Nelson Mandela; he has been afforded the opportunity to work with various producers such as renowned Canadian composer Jack Lenz (
"I couldn’t get enough, absolutely loved every minute of it."
About the Argentina Gospel Choir
It is a massive choir with more than 150 members, with regular rehearsals every week. They manage to offer the singer a unique gospel experience that
provides unparalleled musical, technical and interpretative training. The public enjoys great shows revealing the style, through talented and passionate
interpreters, directed personally and professionally by Gerardo and Franco.
In its short existence, the Argentina Gospel Choir has produced a show in the Botanical Garden of Buenos Aires organized by the Fundación del Teatro
Colón. Annually participates in the Night of the Museums of Buenos Aires. Produced a show for the benefit of The House of Ronald McDonald, with
great success. Has appeared in the Golden Hall of the Porteña Legislature, as well as in the Blue Room of the Honorable National Congress. Was
in charge of the "USA Day" at the Book Fair of Buenos Aires and the celebration of "Independence Day" at the San Miguel Palace; both events organized
by the Embassy of the United States. He was summoned by Pol-Ka to be part of the fiction "Esperanza Mía", winner of Martin Fierro for best fiction
2015. Has opened the Gloria Gaynor show at Luna Park and the Harlem Gospel Choir shows in Buenos Aires.
They were special guests of Diego Torres in all his functions at the Gran Rex Theater in Buenos Aires and recorded in his video clip "Iguales", in the "Corre la Voz" version of his latest album "Buena Vida" for Sony Music. At the end of 2016 the choir was declared of Cultural Interest by the Buenos Aires Legislature. They opened Susana Giménez's program on Telefe. They were special guests of the show offered by the famous American pianist Cory Henry. They closed 2016 with a fabulous show at the CCK Symphony Hall with James Dale, singer of the New York City Gospel Choir as a special guest, with sold out locations.
" The only thing better than singing, is more singing!" - Ella Fitzgerald
Any Questions?
Please contact us now with any questions but don't leave it too long to book. You can fill in the pre-booking form now by clicking on the button below and don't forget to Tell A Friend because it's a more-the-merrier event!
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