EVERY VOICE AND SING, hosted by NPR's MICHELE NORRIS, looks at the fascinating and little-known history of choral music and choirs at historically Black colleges and universities. The five-part series of stand-alone hours covers the period from Reconstruction to the present. Available January 2007 via free CD, PRX download or from The Content Depot.

Episode One: "Every Voice: The Early Legends." This episode explores the founding and growth of the Black colleges, and the birth and development of their choirs. E.g., Fisk, Hampton, Morehouse and Wilberforce. We look at how those early directors and their touring choirs built a loyal following with a repertoire of spirituals, jubilees, and classical music, and see what vital roles women played in the establishment of these Groups and Colleges.

Episode Two: "The Legend Grows." In this episode we explore the lives, work and accomplishments of some of the college choir directors and composers; such individuals as William Levi Dawson at Tuskegee Institute, and R. Nathaniel Dett, first at Hampton Institute, then later at Bennett College. Early and current female Choir Directors at Bennett, Tuskegee and Talladega are profiled...

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 also look at how an artist like Paul Robeson and venues such as Radio City Music Hall and Hollywood Movies spurred the music to national and international acclaim.

Episode Four: "A Different Drummer." In this episode we first look at the origins and rise of Gospel Music, primarily through the life of Thomas A. Dorsey. We then trace its struggle for acceptance in the Black churches and colleges from the 1930s onwards. We conclude with an examination of its various forms today- from the traditional Gospel Blues of Thomas Dorsey, to Shirley Caesar, Cissy Houston, Richard Smallwood and Take-6. Included is a Marian Anderson profile and a brief preview of the hip-hop Gospel explorations of Kurtis Blow and Hell's Most Wanted...

Episode Five: "A Joyful Noise!" Explores the careers/influence of such choral directors as Frederick Hall and S. Carver Davenport at Dillard, U., Drs. Nathan and Roland Carter, James W. Norris, William Henry Caldwell, Moses Hogan, and some new-generation Directors like Eric Conway and Damon Dandridge; how they, and others, have come to terms with the power and reach of gospel music (even Kurtis Blow and Hip-Hop Gospel); how rhythm & blues/pop artists like Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and Ray Charles, as well as the jazz-based style of Take 6, and the World-Music sound of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, all connect to this Black choral tradition. What it all means to the future of the music. Hide full description

EVERY VOICE AND SING, hosted by NPR's MICHELE NORRIS, looks at the fascinating and little-known history of choral music and choirs at historically Black colleges and universities. The five-part series of stand-alone hours covers the period from Reconstruction to the present. Available January 2007 via free CD, PRX download or from The Content Depot. Episode One: "Every Voice: The Early Legends." This episode explores the founding and growth of the Black colleges, and the birth and development of their choirs. E.g., Fisk, Hampton, Morehouse and Wilberforce. We look at how those early directors and their touring choirs built a loyal following with a repertoire of spirituals, jubilees, and classical music, and see what vital roles women played in the establishment of these Groups and Colle...
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