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Three Songs to Poems

of Frank Clark

Gordon (Dick) Goodwin composer
Frank Clark poet

Johnnie Felder tenor
Winifred Goodwin piano

Release Date: April 5, 2024
Catalog #: NV6617
Format: Digital
21st Century
Vocal Music
Piano
Voice

THREE SONGS TO POEMS brings to life poems written by clinical psychiatrist Dr. Frank Clark set to music by Gordon (Dick) Goodwin. The themes are as emotionally complex as life itself, and so is the music. The pieces illuminate the reflections of a son whose mother suffers from dementia, the joys of becoming a father, as well as the healing of an emotionally neglected child. Heart-wrenchingly performed by tenor Johnnie Felder and pianist Winifred Goodwin, this brief but complete set of songs is bound to leave a lasting impression.

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Track Listing & Credits

# Title Composer Performer
01 Foggy Brown Sugar Gordon (Dick) Goodwin Johnnie Felder, tenor; Winifred Goodwin, piano 6:08
02 Infant Moments Gordon (Dick) Goodwin Johnnie Felder, tenor; Winifred Goodwin, piano 2:38
03 Partial Absence-Full Forgiveness Gordon (Dick) Goodwin Johnnie Felder, tenor; Winifred Goodwin, piano 7:49

Recorded August 12, 2023 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester MA
Session Producer & Engineer Brad Michel
Assistant Engineer Lucas Paquette
Editing & Mixing Lucas Paquette
Mastering Melanie Montgomery

Executive Producer Bob Lord

VP of A&R Brandon MacNeil
A&R Danielle Sullivan

VP of Production Jan Košulič
Audio Director Lucas Paquette
Production Manager Martina Watzková

VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Aidan Curran

Artist Information

Frank Clark

Poet

Frank Alexander Clark is a board-certified adult outpatient psychiatrist at Prisma Health-Upstate. He also serves as clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville. Clark received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth College in Illinois and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Northwestern University. He then completed his residency in general psychiatry at Palmetto Richland Hospital in Columbia SC.

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Gordon (Dick) Goodwin

composer

Gordon (Dick) Goodwin came to the University of South Carolina in 1973 to start a doctoral program in composition, to head the theory-composition-history area, and to arrange music for the Carolina Bands. He also directed the University Symphony for a number of seasons. He was the 2001 Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Individual Artist winner (the highest honor awarded in the arts by the State of South Carolina). His works in virtually every idiom from jingle to opera and jazz band to orchestra have been performed across the United States and abroad. He leads the Dick Goodwin Big Band and the Dick Goodwin Quintet (which has made a dozen foreign concert tours) and has written and produced many film scores, commercials, and albums.

Goodwin received his doctorate from the University of Texas where he directed the jazz program (which he initiated) and taught theory and composition. Before that he served four years as a band director in the US Coast Guard.

Goodwin’s wife, Winifred, has served as staff pianist for the USC School of Music and is the principal keyboardist with the SC Philharmonic. His daughter Gradi Evans is director of fine arts at the Geneva School (San Antonio) and his son Richard Goodwin is a member of the USC College of Engineering faculty.

Johnnie Felder

tenor

Dr. Johnnie Felder, tenor, is a native of Vance SC. He holds bachelor and graduate music degrees from Benedict College and the University of South Carolina, respectively. In 2022, he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance. Felder has additional vocal training from the AIMS opera studio in Graz, Austria, and the soloist program of the 20th Annual Varna International Music Academy Festival. He is a recipient of countless regional and international academic and competitive awards and accolades. He has served on the music faculties of Benedict College, SC State University, Paine College, the University of South Carolina and has served as director of numerous choirs in and around Columbia. While enjoying an active teaching career, Felder continues to perform regularly throughout the Southeast, nationally and abroad, and is an active resident artist at Opera Carolina in Charlotte NC.

Winifred Goodwin

piano

Pianist Winifred Goodwin is in demand as a chamber musician, orchestral player, and collaborative pianist. She has been the principal keyboardist with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra since 1982, performing on piano, celesta, harpsichord, and synthesizer and has been a featured soloist on many programs, including over 150 performances of Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals. She has toured for the Southern Arts Federation and has conducted a number of workshops for the United States Information Service in Latin America. In addition to the standard repertory, Goodwin specializes in new music and has premiered many works including several by composer/husband Gordon (Dick) Goodwin. She holds two degrees in piano performance from the University of South Carolina, where she served as staff pianist in the School of Music for many years. She has performed and recorded with many USC music faculty and has collaborated with numerous guest artists from major orchestras, universities, and the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Notes

Foggy Brown Sugar — A son’s reflection after visiting his mother who has dementia through a window in her room at a memory care facility during the pandemic.

Foggy Brown Sugar
By Frank Clark

Foggy brown sugar reclines in her regal chair.
I wonder if she remembers the days, we viewed movies starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.

Foggy brown sugar mourns the loss of her previous independent dwelling.
Confabulation is her new peer that welcomes whimsical story telling.

Foggy brown sugar crumbles at the site of multiple short acting injections.
The mirror reveals a storage shelf filled with a variety of sweet reflections.

Foggy brown sugar searches for the proverbial spice of life.
Heavenly angels recite familiar psalms to provide protection from any strife.

Foggy brown sugar gazes at the spirited hawk.
She relishes the sight of princess feet frolicking on the sidewalk.

Foggy brown sugar ingests acetylcholine to sweeten a cognitive taste bud.
Her puzzled progeny still grieving the colorful substance that was once clear as mud.

Infant Moments — A celebration regarding the joys of being a new father.

Infant Moments
By Frank Clark

Her petite innocence rest comfortably on my euphoric chest
Her radiant eyes activate my facial muscles that never atrophy.
Her hands of curiosity pluck sweet melodies embedded in my soul.

Her squishy cheeks invite effusive kisses from her two favorite admirers.
Her tiny frame acts as a catalyst that stimulates receptors of rejuvenation for my soul.
Her priceless smile tickles and nourishes my heart that has the potential to be cyanotic during stressful days.

Her pulse intertwines with mine to set the rhythm that is only recognizable by two kindred spirits.
Her salivating gut is in harmony with foods that encourage self -discovery.
Her capacity to inhale molecules of love grows infinitely with each breath.

Partial Absence-Full Forgiveness — Reflections on the impact of emotional neglect suffered throughout a son’s childhood in the form of a partially absent father.

Partial Absence-Full Forgiveness
By Frank A. Clark

I remember a childhood that left me partially love parched.
His routine became predictable and at times left my heart charred.
His mouth spewed messages that were entangled in my disorganized web, filled with mixed emotions.
His act sustained itself during the formative years of my life and left me in a state of delirium.

I remember a childhood that left me partially puzzled.
His adoration for Our Father was transparent like a glass ceiling.
His love for my faithful fan left my airway obstructed with questions that went unanswered.
His deceitful nature left my receptors feeling that his presence was indeed a placebo.

I remember a young adulthood that left me wandering into a bewildered wilderness.
Hatred, ambivalence, and regret disturbed my digestive system.
Love and father did not coexist in my world for many years.
Sanctuary became polluted with earthly pleasures.

I remember the moment in my life that left me fully transformed.
Molecules of love, peace, and forgiveness easily penetrated my once stubborn blood brain barrier.
My countenance lifted, thermostat reset, arms outstretched.
He offered prayers from heaven and his presence is more palpable than ever before.

Until we meet again.

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Gordon (Dick) Goodwin, Johnnie Felder, Winifred Goodwin, Brad Michel, and Frank Clark at the recording session

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Winifred Goodwin and Johnnie Felder performing during recording session at Mechanics Hall

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Johnnie Felder