Rhiannon Giddens Visits Chatham Hall as Writer in Residence

Over her two-day visit, Giddens led a writers forum open to interested members of the community, spoke and performed in her keynote address, and met with some classes to discuss her music. In her keynote address, Giddens talked about the winding path of her career from office temp worker, to founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and now breaking out with a solo album. Giddens opened the floor to questions from students, offering personal and heartfelt answers, and ended her address to the community with a rousing call-and-response sing-along of “This Little Light of Mine.”

Giddens is a Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist and folk singer, as well as founding member of the band The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Throughout her career, Giddens has focused on reviving old-time country and blues music, with a particular interest in the traditional Appalachian sound of her native North Carolina. She is currently touring to promote her new solo album,  Freedom Highway, on which she creates a voice for the voiceless oppressed, drawing a through-line from the struggle of African Americans living in the South during the 1960’s to the challenges experienced today. In addition to her prodigious musical career, Giddens has appeared in the fifth and sixth seasons of the TV show Nashville, performing as the character Hallie Jordan.

Students and faculty appreciated Giddens’ intimate and personal approach to her role as Writer in Residence. Dr. Mary Edmonds, English Department Chair, captured this sentiment, saying, “We were incredibly lucky to have Rhiannon Giddens share her music, stories behind her songs, and wisdom about growing up and finding your way in life with us. The students felt that Rhiannon spoke directly to them; she energized them with her thoughtfulness and passion for music.  She embodied what it means to be a life-long learner. Perhaps most importantly she reminded us all of the power of the past and the importance of knowing history.”

In recognition of her many contributions to the school, Chatham Hall seeks to endow the Writer-in-Residence Program to name it in honor of Claudia Emerson ’75 who twice served as the Writer in Residence. A native of Chatham, Claudia Emerson later served as Dean and English teacher at her alma mater. She was recognized as the Poet Laureate of Virginia and was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize. Claudia Emerson passed away December 4, 2014, and would have celebrated her 40th Reunion in May 2015.

Chatham Hall invites gifts to the fund. To make a donation, please contact the Advancement Office, Attn: Claudia Emerson Writer in Residence Fund, 800 Chatham Hall Circle, Chatham, VA 24531. You may also contact Christine Knight, Assistant Head of School for Advancement, at 434-432-5549.