Sacred music traditions at ‘Roots’ music fest
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| Gregg Kimball |
Gregg Kimball, director of Publications and Educational Services at the Library of Virginia will discuss a number of sacred musical traditions that are particularly strong in Virginia and bring some of his extensive collection of historical recordings to accompany his lecture.
A Yankee from rural New England, Kimball was stationed in the South during his Army career. After receiving his BA degree from the University of New Hampshire, he returned to the South to work in the museum field and eventually earned his PhD at the University of Virginia.
He has played guitar from the age of 10, added banjo later and, more recently, took up the fiddle. He has written extensively on traditional music in Virginia and has shared that knowledge with numerous audiences and school groups.
Among Kimball’s topics will be the a cappella sacred quartets of Tidewater Virginia.
Kimball also will describe the music of the Primitive Baptists of Southwestern Virginia and the “shout bands”—gospel brass bands (using especially trombones) that are unique to the congregations of the United House of Prayer for all People.
Anyone who is interested in the roots of sacred Virginia music will enjoy Kimball’s presentation.
