Sweet Music

Chocolate: the candy that women can’t live without, the delicacy that has an amusement park dedicated to it and the treat that Forrest Gump relates to life. Sweet and savory, chocolate is a familiar dessert with varying tastes, smells and shades.

This was the image conjured in the mind of Teresa Moyer, an associate professor of the music department and associate director of the theatre department, when she came up with the idea for Shades of Chocolate.

Shades of Chocolate is a recital starring Moyer, a soprano, with accompaniment by David Bryant, associate chair of the music department. Administrative assistant Sara Herman and Moyer’s husband, Stephen Moyer, will be performing as well on drum kit and bass, respectively.

The concert will include three sets of music with six composers, including Johannes Brahms, Franz Liszt, Francis Poulenc, Alexander Scriabin, Jake Heggie and Duke Ellington. With a combination of classical and jazz pieces, Shades of Chocolate promises to be just as varied as the candy.

“This is music that makes me melt,” Moyer said. “The varied and interesting flavors of the music are like all the different kinds of chocolate.”

Fittingly, bags of assorted chocolate will be provided with admission. The various types of chocolate within–caramel, dark and a “fun” type– will each correspond with a particular set of music.

Moyer’s inspiration for creating Shades of Chocolate rose from a desire to create a “perfect venue for our students, faculty and friends” to perform in.

The process for creating Shades of Chocolate has been a great experience for both Moyer and Bryant, who have not worked together on a recital for about ten years.

“Working with David Bryant is like riding a magic carpet,” Moyer said with a smile. “He goes wherever you want him to go.”

Bryant gave a similar compliment to Moyer. “Teresa’s a very intuitive singer, so she’s easy to work with,” he said. “I know where she’s going and I’m really in tune with what she’s doing.”

Shades of Chocolate will take place on Feb. 21 at 3 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Phoenixville. Students with an Eastern ID will be admitted for free.

However, all proceeds from the concert will go to Haiti relief organizations, so students are welcome to donate.

There will also be a bin for usable shoes that will be donated to Shoes2Share.

For more information on the concert, including whether there will be a van available to transport students, contact Moyer at tmoyer@eastern.edu or call ext. 4315 on a campus phone.