Piece Description

EVERY VOICE AND SING! is hosted by NPR's MICHELE NORRIS. It looks at the fascinating and little-known history of the choral music and choirs preserved primarily by historically Black colleges and universities. The five-part series of stand-alone hours covers from the pre-Civil War period to the present. Available January 2007 PRX download or from The Content Depot. Episode Three: "And Sing!" This episode explores the rising arc and initial changes in Black choral music by looking at the Benedict and Kentucky State College Choirs, as well as the early professional choirs. We examine the work and influence of composers and directors like John Work,III, Eva Jessye, Hall Johnson, and Harry T. Burleigh. We see the Classical, Blues and Jazz influences, as we look at how men like Paul Robeson and George Gershwin (and venues such as Radio City Music Hall, Broadway Productions and Hollywood Movies) spurred the music to national and international acclaim.