The History of The American Negro Spiritual and Its Influence On Western Civilization
In this course we will survey in broad terms the gathering of indigenous African peoples from numerous tribes and countries for the New World 'slave trade' and its impact on the burgeoning economies. We will discuss the role of religion and music in controlling and focusing the slave population in the agrarian economy. Influences, changes, and trends will be discussed and compared to modern technologies. The role of universities and churches will be discussed (specifically the Fisk Jubilee Singers and other university choirs). Further development will center on how gospel music emerged from this tradition, and how the two are interwoven in today's church. The lives of abolitionists and their legacy will be reviewed. In addition, we will explore the uniqueness of the Harlem Renaissance, its writers, artists, and musicians, and the role of the American Negro Spirituals in their lives and work. Singers and non-singers will be welcome. During the month of January, participants will be required to attend 4 regular Tuesday and Thursday evening chorus rehearsals from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Mead Chapel to put our classroom theory into practice. As a bonus, the combined ‘ad hoc chorus’ will be asked to sing 3 or 4 Negro Spirituals at the traditional Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. This course counts as a performance elective or as an elective for courses at the 0200-level and above.