This past week University of Central Arkansas hosted composer Bernadette Speach as the first artist in residence for the semester. 

The residency was from Sept. 16 through Sept. 18. 

Events included open conversations between attendees and Speach, film screenings and previews of her opera “The Little Rock Nine.”

The residency was free to all UCA students and staff to attend and it was meant to highlight work on Speach. Speach is a composer, pianist and educator who has a 40 year career. She has earned degrees in music from multiple institutions. 

While working on her opera, Speach worked with librettist Thulani Davis. 

“The Little Rock Nine” is about the 1957-58 desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central High School. Davis and Speach have received numerous grants for this production totaling over $100,000.

Speach said opera allows for more time and “scope” to tell the story.

Brown pointed out that, much like the story of the Little Rock Nine, operas have a tragedy that typically ends in a melodious, harmonious way.

The event held Wednesday, September 17, included a discussion panel with Wadie Moore, the first African-American employed at the Arkansas Gazette Newspaper, Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, and Phyllis Brown, the younger sister of Minnijean Brown of the Little Rock Nine. 

This included excerpts from Speach’s opera, a once in a lifetime Q and A portion with the star studded panel and an overview of Dr. Donna Stephen’s works that have to do with the Arkansas Gazette.

Eckford described seeing the small excerpts of the opera that were shown as “overwhelming.” She stated that she is so happy to see that her story is being shown and is excited to see the opera in its totality once it is completed.

Thursday, September 18, the last event of the residency, was hosted in the Windgate Art Center. This event included never before seen excerpts from “The Little Rock Nine” and a discussion between Stephens and Speach. 

Speach was the second composer that worked on “The Little Rock Nine.” 

Davis recommended Speach to be put to work on the project. 

Speach and Davis had first worked with each other in 1996 and Davis immediately recommended Speach when she was asked if she knew a composer that could work gospel elements into the opera, and Speach popped into mind.

The University of Central Arkansas will continue its artist in residency program, with the next residency being September 24th through 26th featuring sound artist Katie Waters. 

All artists in residencies are free and open to the public (unless specified otherwise) and information can be found on the official UCA website.