061224_GYS_2024_WEB

42 2O24–2O2 5 GU I D E to Y E L LOW S P R I NG S which went on to win a pair of gold medals in the World Choir Games in 2012. Later, she founded Ubuntu Men’s Chorus at Madison Correc- tional Facility in London, Ohio, and Kuji Men’s Chorus in the Marion Correctional Facility. The latter performed the musi - cal “Hamilton” under Roma’s direction in 2019. In 2015, she also founded Hope Thru Harmony, a women’s choir of inmates and “outmates” at Dayton Correctional Institu - tion women’s prison. Over the years, Roma said she has also expanded the kinds of music her choirs sing, and the artists they support to create that music. MUSE began commissioning pieces by women musicians, and particularly BIPOC women — a practice that she would con - tinue when she helped form the World House Choir in 2013. One frequent collabo- rator — and mentor to Roma — over the years has been composer and activist Bernice Johnson Reagon, who founded the Grammy-winning African American women’s a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock. Roma said being in con- versation with Reagon helped shape the repertoire that would help define both the World House Choir’s approach to community-building and its sound — and, ultimately, the voices that carry that sound. “I would ask her, ‘How do I get more people of color in the choir?’” Roma said. “And she always hammered me and said, ‘What are you singing? If I come to your concert as a Black woman and I don’t see any people who look like me, but you sound like my culture and my people, then I figure you’ve done your homework.’” In celebrating 10 years, the World House Choir performed both classic songs from its repertoire and new songs in order to highlight the sense of diversity, unity and justice that its director and singers hope to inspire. Putting together a pro - gram that was both retrospec- tive and aimed to look forward, was its own way to measure the last decade, Roma said. She noted the losses that have occurred — both personal and institutional — within the choir, the village and the nation in that time. The pandemic, police violence against people of color and the overturning of Roe V. Wade have made the last few years of the choir’s tenure feel bleak, she said. Ultimately, though, Roma said loss was not the feeling she wanted to leave either her singers or their audiences with as they celebrated a decade of song. “Dr. Cornel West said, ‘Love is what justice looks like in public’ — and our concert is titled ‘Standing On the Side of Love and Justice,’” she said. “We’re in despair, and we’ve lost a lot — but I want there to be this feeling that hope wins. I want there to be a sense of radical hope.” ♦ TUCK -N- REDS SPIRITS & WINES Just like Grandad used to make, but better. Hillbilly Moonshine, Spirits &MountainWines 305 N. Walnut St., Yellow Springs • M–Sa, 1–9 p.m., Su, 1–8 p.m. Alex & Minerva Realtors ® Se Habla Español 937-430-0843 For listings, sales, market overview & more: www.BieriTeam.com The Bieri Team • Residential Buyer and Seller Services • Experience prompt service, 25+ years • Instant, consistent client communication: voice, text, email • Client ‘certified’ professional resources • Maximum internet presence • International relocation services, including civilian and military ® “Top notch realtor! Rick provided quick response to questions. He was patient with us as we searched for a home that met our very specific needs.” — Kristy T. “Excellent and professional. Not pushy at all and listens to all concerns.” —Kevin M. SATISFYING EVERY CLIENT, INDIVIDUALLY. SOLD SE L L I NG ONE GORGEOUS HOME AF T ER ANOTHER L A U R E N M O R R I S S H A N N O N F L E M I N G R A C H E L G I L C H R E S T T Y L E R M O R T O N 937-540-0002 LOCAL. EXPERIENCED. REALTORS. REAL ESTATE, IT’S ALL WE DO. 257Xenia Ave. www.team YS . realestate