News Media
City of Annapolis Press Release
September 25, 2006
James Fitzpatrick receives Art in Public Places Award
The City of Annapolis Art in Public Places Commission is very pleased to announce a creative grant award of $4500 to James Fitzpatrick of Harwood. Fitzpatrick composes, arranges, directs, and performs music for St. Margaret’s Church in Annapolis, The Heritage Harbour Chorus of Annapolis, Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, Open Circle Theatre in Silver Spring, and noted musical artists in Maryland, Washington, DC, New York, and Virginia.
Working with the Annapolis Charter 300 committee, the Art in Public Places Commission elected to commission new work reflective of the struggles for independence and civil rights during the 300 years of Annapolis history since 1708. The Commission selected Fitzpatrick for his resourceful marriage of first person narratives and music that will illustrate in choral performances the themes reflecting the City’s Annapolis Charter 300 program.
The new work is an oratorio for soloists, chorus, gospel choir, and narrators using original texts of historic documents, transcripts of interviews from descendants of Annapolitans living at the time of the Annapolis Charter, and new texts written by the composer. The initial concept calls for seven movements written as tone poems using a variety of musical styles tied together with impressionistic interludes. The seven movements examine the following subjects: The water, the land, the city, the business of slavery, the fight for individual liberty, the Navy, and the future.
The grant will be used for research into historical documents, interviews and transcriptions, as well as composition time for the oratorio.
“I have identified several descendants of original plantation owner and tradesman Annapolitans to interview for their observations of the city and its history. I hope to distill shared and opposing views of the key elements of recurring themes in Annapolis, including changing concepts of liberty, social and business behaviors, environmental changes, and patriotism,” Said Fitzpatrick.
Part of Fitzpatrick’s concept includes addressing racial issues through the use of performers appropriate to ethnic make up of the historic characters being presented. In the performances of this work during 2008, initially there will be a physical division between the various racial groups presented. Ultimately, during the course of the performance, the groups will merge together to present a visual and aural representation of the diverse nature of Annapolis and its history.
The Art in Public Places Commission, with representatives from all eight wards, adopts guidelines and procedures that identify suitable art objects for city property, and addresses the preservation of art objects and artifacts that may be displayed in public places.
Throughout 2008, the City of Annapolis will celebrate a most significant anniversary – 300 years of our City Charter through the Annapolis Charter 300 Program. In 1708 Queen Anne of Great Britain gave Annapolis its City Charter, establishing a lasting representative government for some and marking the beginning of the struggle for full voting rights and emancipation for others. Each of the three centuries since has been filled with stories of real people struggling for freedoms in America.
Annapolis Charter 300 will be a citywide, yearlong celebration of our community's progress -- showcasing a broad array of historical perspectives, celebratory and commemorative events for residents and visitors from across the region. Public Art will play a key role in this civic commemoration
