by Byron K. Smith
(Editor’s Note: Byron K. Smith, who was the producer for the music CD described below, has produced radio and audio programs for Indiana University for more than 30 years. He is also a board member of ACBI.)
When an ACB chapter wants to raise funds to finance community projects, members may be confronted with some difficult choices. When the Bloomington, Ind. chapter of ACBI pondered raising funds, the results of the fund-raising choice they made turned out to be rewarding and successful.
The members wanted to finance projects which would increase community awareness about blindness issues and people who are blind or visually impaired. At the same time, it seemed important to involve chapter members in a meaningful effort.
“A lot of people enjoy music,” remarked chapter officer Jeff Busch. “And we have a chapter member who sings beautifully, accompanies herself on the guitar and writes songs too.”
Everyone agreed that a music CD by that chapter member, Suzanne Ament, would be a best seller. Chapter members were sure that “people would enjoy the American and Russian folk songs Suzanne performs.” So Jeff Busch arranged to record 18 tracks of music at a nearby studio. Then other chapter members helped produced the music CD, “Light And Shadow,” which is now for sale.
Ament, who is currently teaching at Butler University in Indianapolis, cannot remember a time when she did not sing. She holds a doctorate in Russian history from Indiana University, and has performed Russian and American folk songs in her native U.S. and in Russia during half a dozen trips to the country she has come to love.
“The title song, ‘Light And Shadow,’” explains Ament, “is a song that came out of a broken heart. When you love somebody there is pain and great joy. That song is about one particular love of my life that will always be there.”
Ament, who has enough vision to orient herself to her surroundings, likes the local character of the Bloomington chapter of ACBI. “It’s about people who are right there doing things for people who are right there. We have state and national connections but the real benefits come from people helping people in a very local sense.”
The “Light And Shadow” CD is available from the Bloomington chapter, just in time for holiday shopping. Checks for $15, made payable to the Bloomington Chapter of ACBI, should be sent to P.O. Box 1131, Bloomington, IN 47402-1131. Questions and comments can be sent by e-mail to byron@indiana.edu.