Peter Phippen is best known, perhaps, as a master of the flute - actually many different types of flutes, including those of Native American origin. That is, in fact, what earned him a Grammy nomination back in 2010. But Peter is all about all music, so you'll also frequently encounter him rocking out on his bass and whatever other form of music and instrumentation the moment calls for. In particular, his ability to improvise soul-deep on his flutes is known to transport listeners young and old.
Song of the Soul
Song of the Soul invites you to a soul-level encounter. Music has the ability to proclaim the soul's language beyond what mere words can speak. That's what we seek as we invite our guests to share their Song of the Soul. You will hear the music that has charted the steps of their spiritual journey, that has provided a touchstone in the soul's dark night, and sung the hearts awe and joy when come to the Light. As you listen to Song of the Soul, you are both witness and companion to our guest's spiritual path and sacred testimony.
Song of the Soul guests provide 20-23 minutes of the music of their soul, and Mark Helpsmeet explores with them the relevance and meaning of this music to their experience. Most guests are musicians, usually sharing their own music, but some guests are simply sharing music they've been impacted by, written and performed by others.
The theme song for this program is by Cris Williamson and is called "Song of the Soul". Please check out the wealth of great music Cris has gifted to the world.
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Painting the Sky with Music
Kora Feder paints the sky, beautifully, with her words and melodies. Drawing on years living around the world, notably in Asia, and nurtured by musically-gifted parents like Rita Hosking & Sean Feder, Kora creates her very own style and power of music, wrestling with life and meaning with heart, wisdom, & creativity.
Bewitching
Victoria Shoemaker is a multi-instrumentalist with a deep affinity & talent for the flute. Classically trained, but having discovered her deep passion in improvisational flute, and having been mentored by Eau Claire’s grammy-nominated flute artist, Peter Phippen, Victoria’s gifts are impressive and diverse. She rocks, folks, classicals & can definitely spin ethereal music of the spheres. Plus she’s been twice nominated for the People’s Choice Award for Best Music Teacher in NW Wisconsin. All this and she is still a few years away from 30. Also, catch her onstage with Peter Phippen in the mini rock duo Virginia Steel.
Ukulele Songbird
Katy Vernon is a rare combination of deep, joyful, heart-rending, creative, and spritely. Wielding her trusty ukulele and backed up by a rich assortment of instruments, her voice, tunes, & lyrics will embed themselves in your heart. Born & raised in England, Katy landed in Minnesota in 1993, and has produced 3 CDs over the past 10 years. Just recently she performed her 4th Toilet Tune with Sarah Morris.
Return of the Banjo
Mother Banjo (Ellen Stanley) is wonderful. In addition to her musical career, she is executive director of the Minnesota Music Coalition, and does a weekly show on station KFAI called Womenfolk. She writes all kinds of great music, with a special gift for creating new & impeccable gospel songs. She's shared the stage with many folks, among them Robert Bly and Tracy Grammar, and is coming near the end of fund-raising for her 5th album with a Kickstarter Campaign.
Earth-planted, Water-flowing
The music of Jennifer Levenhagen stirs deep currents and invites soul rejuvenation. While she’s shared her guitar, piano, violin, and exquisite voice in many settings, including playing bluegrass music, her current calling is to the meditative, rooting, flowing end of the spectrum, as evidenced by her recent release of piano improvisations, Another Sea, and her growing work in what she calls Listening Rooms, a place for personal deepening, reflection, and settling.
A New York Cowgirl's Tale
Let Elizabeth Erin Kemler ride into your heart with her passionate songs related to The Weight of Mortal Skin. Elizabeth champions an array of organizations like Kids for Peace, Songs for a Cause, Hope Sings, and many others, while single parenting her son. The skin may be mortal, but not so the music.
Singing in a Time of War
Xanthe Alexis is a captivating and enchanting musician from Colorado Springs who so clearly captures power, meaning and charm through her music. She self-describes her music as sepia-toned Americana, and while I don’t see it exactly that way, there is something reflective and deep that the listener will receive from her music, She performed for many years as part of The Hopeful Heroines including on their album, Goddamn Mess (Live), and just returned from the annual Folk Alliance International session in Montreal.
Rocking Real, Loving More
Ali Handal's launch into music was via the kind of rock music done by Led Zeppelin and Guns N' Roses, and has blossumed into a variety of singer/songwriter styles. She can rock out with a powerful Whole Lotta Love and she can inspire with an anthem like Love More, and bounce jazzily with songs like I Love My Pussy Cat.
Lena Elizabeth Got It Right!
Lena Elizabeth writes and sings music straight from the heart, using her songs to transform experiences like depression, crippling anxiety, & an eating disorder into health and wholeness. While clearly growing from folk-music infused ground, she has a blues-rooted voice, and the combination of these & other influences is magical. Check out her transformation of the Everly Brothers' song, Bye, Bye, Love, so that it sounds like the lyrics, with Sarah Morris and her Toilet Tunes.