Last night, as part of the Creative Writing Series, three writers merged their written work with music.

Prof. Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon, English, who was recently chosen as one of the five finalists in the 2009 National Book Award for her poetry presented her work alongside two fiction writers, Prof J. Robert Lennon, English, and H.G. Carrillo ’07.

With approximately 100 attendees, the event was part of the Fall 2009 Centennial Plus Five Reading Series, which is a series of readings by Cornell’s professors, alumni and graduate students in honor of the 105 years that the Creative Writing program has been at Cornell.

The night fused written and musical works and acknowledged the recent honor given to Van Clief-Stefanon.

“The presence of instruments allows for workers to become performers within their own narratives,” said Prof. Helena Viramontes, English, director of the creative writing program, as she introduced the event.

After a round of congratulatory applause for being nominated for the National Book Award, Van Clief-Stefanon read several poems from a collection titled Dear John, accompanied by two musicians, Johnny Dowd and Richie Stearns. Periodically, Van Clief-Stefanon would stop reading and allow for a musical interlude.

Viramontes described this back and forth between the musicians and Van Clief-Stefanon as “a conversation.”

Van Clief-Stefanon told The Sun after the event that she was more excited about the “cross-pollination” between Ithacans and Cornellians than about the combination of music and writing. Dowd and Stearns are what Van Clief-Stefanon called “townies.”

“There should be a back and forth between people on the Hill and downtown” she explained.

She encouraged more students to venture into Ithaca — “Everything you have to learn here can’t be learned in a classroom,” she said.

Sneak Peak: Author H.G. Carrillo '07 reads an excerpt from his upcoming novel last night in Barnes Hall as part of the Fall 2009 Centennial Plus Five Reading Series.

As for her award, Van Clief-Stefanon said “I can’t get my mind around it. I’m such a townie — its kind of bizarre.” She then added that she is also “glad and honored.”

The theme of music in conjunction with writing was central to the evening.

“Writers don’t just write. We sing and we play,” Viramontes explained. “This [event] shows that there are multi-dimensions to being a writer” she said, particularly in reference to Lennon and Carrillo who both played instruments while reading their writing.

Lennon, who gave the first presentation, opened with a song he wrote, titled “Drinking on the Job.” While playing guitar Lennon sang about martinis, Johnny Walker and hangovers in the context of photocopiers, corporate retreats and conference tables. Lennon then read a short story from the perspective of a campus tour guide. Although the protagonist was suicidal and embodied many serious issues that college students face, the story was sprinkled with humor and the audience laughed throughout the reading.

Lennon explained that playing music for an audience was more intimidating than reading his work. Unlike his writing, which is his career, music is only a hobby and so he is less confident about it he said.

After performing a piano piece, Carrillo read an excerpt from a novel that he is currently writing. According to Viramontes, the tango themed musical piece paired with the “acoustic” feel of the novel.

Edwardo Valera grad and Armando Garcia grad who describe themselves as “following the reading series religiously,” particularly enjoyed the way that Carrillo read his piece. “It was the most memorable reading I’ve ever had” Garcia said. “[Corrillo’s] reading was very artistic and performative,” he added.

“This was a really fun event; it sort of feels like a celebration” Lennon said. He then added, “I thought both John and Lyrae were spectacular.”

The series was sponsored by two anonymous donors. The next event in the series will be on Nov. 5, with readings from Sana Krasikov, Rattawut Lapcharoensap and Angela Shaw.