Twice Annual Lecture Series to Engage Audience with Teaching, Singing

DUNWOODY, Ga.—The intersection of African American music and literature will highlight the fall 2024 Sarah Larson Lecture Series at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College.

Valerie Matthews, Ph.D., professor and interim associate chair of English at Perimeter, will present “The Music of Literature: A Performance of Musical Influences on African American Literature” at the lecture series on Thursday, October 31, from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. on Georgia State’s Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, NC Building Auditorium (NC-1100).

Lecture series attendees can expect a rhythmic presentation from Matthews, who also is an accomplished vocalist and songwriter.

“I will focus on performing songs and poetry that help me demonstrate the profound impact African American music has on poetry and culture,” she said. “I also will explain how being knowledgeable about African American music genres elevates our appreciation and understanding of poetry.”

Spirituals, blues, jazz, R&B and rap are among the musical genres that Matthews will cover during the lecture.

“Since my literary-musical presentations are a combination of performance, teaching and audience participation, I thought students and others might enjoy learning more about literature, music and history in this format,” Matthews said.

“I would love for them to develop a deeper appreciation of music and literature and be inclined to analyze and interpret the work of their favorite artists more intentionally.”

Matthews added jokingly that “singing in key” is not a prerequisite for attending and enjoying the presentation.

“There will not be an audition, and you don't have to be a singer,” she emphasized.

“I will teach short, easy sections of songs for a few of the genres, especially the songs that are meant to be sung as a group—and I will invite the audience to participate.”

In addition to her administrative role at Perimeter, Matthews teaches African American literature at the college and throughout metro Atlanta, while emphasizing the importance of African American music in cultural movements.

“The Music of Literature: A Performance of Musical Influences on African American Literature” is free and open to the public. For additional information about the Sarah Larson Lecture Series at Perimeter College, contact event coordinator Jennifer Meeks at [email protected] or (770) 274-5476.