Musical and Historical Explorations Music of African American composers and the Negro Spiritual. By LaKedria C. Johnson- Lozano, MA

The History of the Negro Spiritual The origin of the negro spiritual is widely debated among scholars today. The debate is whether or not spirituals actually came from the slaves or if they originated elsewhere. These spirituals were created by a group of people ( Slave or otherwise) living in a hostile environment. Slaves were not allowed to read or write so the music was never written down.

Text of Negro spirituals The texts were either biblical or inspirational, It provided a temporary distraction to the harsh conditions of the work. The text also provided slaves with instructions on how to navigate the underground railroad. Which was a gateway to their freedom. Spirituals teach great lessons in life, such as forgiveness, restoration, love, atonement and social justice

Negro Spirituals and their influence on music today. The influence these songs have had on music today are evident in churches of every denomination and in very specific genres of music such as jazz, country, R&B, gospel music, and church music from many denominations.. Gospel music is influenced more so by these spirituals than a lot of other church music and hymns. For use as an example of this, you hear “Precious Lord, take my hand”, an early 19th century gospel song written by Thomas Dorsey, which was based on a Negro spiritual sang throughout churches of every single kind today.

Popular African American Composers. Spirituals and Art Songs

Harry T. Burleigh ( ) Published a book called Jubilee Songs of the United States of America. This was the first time arrangements of spirituals had been set for voice and piano and were made available to concert singers.

Margaret Bonds ( ) One of the first black composers to gain recognition in the United States. Best Known today for her frequent collaborations with Poet Langston Hughes Her arrangement of “He’s got the whole world in his hands” is performed very often.

Hall Johnson ( ) Best Known today for his arraignments of Negro Spirituals for Voice, Piano and Choir Also known for his presentation explaining the significance of spirituals as American music

William Grant Still ( ) Widely known for his success as an arranger and as a composer. His contributions to the world of music are many, as he has composed a number of operas and ballets, and choral and orchestral music. Most Popular work composed: “African American Symphony” for Orchestra First African American Composer to have his work premiered by a major orchestra.

Composer Influences. Spirituals and Art Songs

Composer Influences The Composers discussed all have common influences. 1.Texts by African American Poets ( Langston Hughes, etc.) 2. Negro Spirituals. 3. Songs will be inspirational, Instructional or biblical

Listening Guide When listening to the following pieces. Pay attention to these key elements. 1.Dialect 2.Expression 3.Musical Influence 4.Text 5.Note that all performers have their own way of interpreting the pieces. This is what makes this music special.

Songs for study “ Every Time I Feel de spirit “- Hall Johnson “ Swing Low Sweet Chariot” - Hall Johnson “Sometimes I feel like a motherless chile” – Harry Burleigh “Idolatry” – William Grant Still “Black Pierott” – William Grant Still “I too” ( from Three Dream Portraits) – Margret Bonds “He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands”- Margret Bonds

References OsagieII, Omo, and Iyobosa Solomon. "Their Souls Made them Whole: Negro spirituals and lessons in healing and atonement." Western Journal of Back Studies, 2007 :