Hermine Pinson
While singing is not the primary vocation of Hermine Pinson, adding it to her resume seems like a natural step for someone who has built up a lifetime of creative output. Pinson is an associate professor of English at the College and has published work in fiction and in poetry. In the summer of 2003, Pinson met Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa at a Detroit, Mich., writer's workshop and her a cappella singing inspired him to pen song lyrics with her voice in mind. He showed her the lyrics over sandwiches and began the collaborative effort that would produce Pinson's first CD, Changing the Changes.
Pinson's voice rings with gritty sincerity and the CD balances sorrow and joy. The songs are infused with a long tradition of blues history and yet are clearly a product of our current time.
The album ranges from uplifting, rock-fusion pieces to blues-inspired songs of personal experiences. Pinson's poetry background comes through on the CD and the "word-songs" defy genre. The innovative sound and unique style make for a brave and successful experiment with music.
Tim Olbrych
Tim Olbrych can use a guitar to teach both music and history. The founder of William and Mary's guitar program and an adjunct faculty member, Olbrych has been teaching and performing music for decades. At age 54, he finally decided that it was time to put out an album. While the CD should help Olbrych get more concert gigs, he also intends to use it as a teaching tool. To add to its uses, the album serves as a five-century history lesson in 35 guitar pieces.
500 Years of Spanish Guitar shows Olbrych's technical expertise with rare Renaissance and baroque guitars from the 16th and 17th centuries. Unlike the more traditional Span-ish guitar that most are familiar with, these older instruments produce a higher and more delicate sound. Olbrych approaches each piece from the point of view of the time it was written. Many of the pieces he explores have never been re-corded before.
His passion comes through on the album, leaving the listener with a profound appreciation for the guitar -- 500 years worth of it.
The Alumni Magazine is seeking painters, sculptors, musicians, jewelers and the like for possible coverage in the Arts and Sciences section. To be considered, please send information about yourself and samples of your work to the Alumni Communications Office at alumni.magazine@wm.edu or P.O. Box 2100, Williamsburg, VA 23187.
