Beyond musical boundaries: Classipop for Memorial Day

FROM MAURICE RAVEL (1875-1937) to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, there is a playful patriotic musical journey through generations of composers and musicians in celebration of Memorial Day with Taos pianist and musicologist Claire Detels, baritone Mark Jackson and The Taos Tomatoes; Elizabeth Calvert, Isabella Draper, and Julie Greer. “A Classipops Concert” expands the boundaries of classical and popular music and invites you to sing along at El Pueblito United Methodist Church, 1309 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, on Sunday May 28 at 2 p.m.

Tempo asked Detels, the pioneer of many innovative concerts in Taos, to give us the details.

Please tell us about the birth of “Classipop.”

As a performer and music history professor, I have always thought the boundaries between classical and popular music worlds were too rigid. Most people love a variety of music, but are put off by the formality of classical music concerts, with the fancy halls, fancy clothes, and nothing for the audience to do but be quiet.

As musicians have been emerging from Covid solitude to present concerts again, I thought about presenting classical and popular music together, in a “Classipop” concert series. It seemed ideal to do this at El Pueblito Methodist Church, because that’s where I’m music director, and where we have the benefit of a friendly, informal space for audience and performers, and a grand piano. In my five years working there — I know that the congregation values diversity of music, and would like it in concerts as well.

The first opportunity to try the Classipops idea came last Christmas, which provides a perfect opportunity for mixing music of Handel, Purcell, Corelli and other Classical greats with our beloved Christmas carols, composed and sung by regular folks over many centuries. It was a great success, and I especially treasured the sounds of the audience performing the Hallelujah Chorus, which was quite a contrast from their performance of the chorus to “Santa Baby” earlier in the concert.

With that first experience, I was emboldened to continue with this Classipops Concert series, presenting a January concert dedicated to Franz Schubert, the great Classical composer of song, but this year made into “Schubert meets The Beatles.” Again, we had Classical music in the first half, followed with some of The Beatles’ greatest hits. Including audience participation in some choruses with words provided on the program. We invited the folk-singing group, The Taos Tomatoes, to present some very special arrangements.

I’m especially excited about this upcoming Classipops concert in honour of Memorial Day, a holiday that dates back to 1868 and honours those who have suffered in war. There are wonderful examples of great classical music about death and war, as well as great popular music, which belong together, as we join to honour the losses, and consider the continuing wars and violence that trouble our world. From Aaron Copland’s beautiful song settings of Emily Dickinson poems about death, to 60s folk hits of Peter, Paul and Mary. The music at this concert can hopefully help unite us and honour our shared humanity in these challenging times.

How did you decide on the lineup?

When I’m planning a program, I start with the theme or special occasions, and look for beautiful, brilliant music that fits the theme and offers balance and variety using the best performers and performance resources. Since we have a grand piano at El Pueblito, great piano and vocal music are natural. And the informal atmosphere and seating at El Pueblito lends itself well to audience participation.

I’ve been looking for an opportunity to perform the Copland settings of Emily Dickinson with Elizabeth Calvert and Mark Jackson for years. We love these poems and songs and have always had a great time performing together. Copland captures Dickinson’s profound thoughts about life and death memorably, so it’s a natural for Memorial Day.

Sliding scale donation to support the musicians and victims of the war in Ukraine.