HIS LIGHT STILL SHINES Battiste, Loneka Wilkinson
The Choral journal,
12/2020, Volume:
61, Issue:
5
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Both music of the African American Baptist church and jazz, historically attributed to African Americans, embody what Olly Wilson described as specific conceptual approaches to music making that are ...common in West African and African American musics: the organization of rhythm based on the principle of rhythmic and implied metrical contrast, singing or playing an instrument in a percussive manner, the use of calland-response, a high density of musical events, and the tendency to incorporate body movements in the music making process.4 The first four of these approaches are common in Moses Hogan spirituals. In addition to music present in his home church, Hogan's arrangements heavily reflect his six years as an oboist in school ensembles and his training at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Oberlin Conservatory, Juilliard Conservatory, and Louisiana State University, which all align with Akuno's7 description of information. Because Hogan frequently used the basses to lead and support the ensemble, the voices of the bass section should have the versatility to quickly alternate between these two roles. According to several study participants, the Chorale's continued struggle to maintain intonation and control vibrato prompted this decision.
In addition to performances and artistic residencies, the ensemble engages in creative educational outreach, particularly in communities of color, and promotes the study, research, performance, and ...recording of music from various eras with special attention to the intersection of arts and social justice. Derrick Fox is the associate dean of graduate studies and creative endeavors and a professor of choral conducting at Michigan State University. After completing a PhD in music education (choral conducting) at the Florida State University, he was an assistant professor of music in choral activities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. University Singers has performed for state conventions of the Nebraska Choral Directors Association, Nebraska MEA, regional North Central ACDA conferences, and regional and national meetings of the Music Educators National Conference.
The twenty-nine-member mixed choral ensemble travels throughout the nation and abroad, performing as a separate component and in joint concerts with the Concert Band of the "Musical Ambassadors of ...the Army." Worship Experience Under the Firmament of Heaven: A Creation Service In the resplendent Cathedral of the Assumption, our worship experience explores ancient stories and themes of creation, fallen humanity, and ultimate redemption through God's vision for a community connected by divine love. Partnering with schools, community organizations, and religious institutions, Artefact Ensemble-in collaboration with its sister organization, Artefact Institute-offers workshops, masterclasses, and co-operative music-making experiences to students, teachers of music, music ministers, and underprivileged audiences who might not otherwise have access to high-level ensemble music. In 2021, Artefact was featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, performing the world premiere of Arvo Part's 0 Holy Father Nicholas.
In an interview, composer James Mulholland discusses the following things about his choral work "Missa Romantica": (1) the fact that there is no Credo movement; (2) the fact that there will never be ...a Credo added to the piece; (3) being intimidated by the fact that the Mass text has been set by thousands of composers over the last 1,000 years; (4) his motivation in writing the piece; (5) his preference for the version that requires full orchestration; (6) the length of the piece; and (7) his various other works.
In this commentary, a number of problematic aspects of the studies presented in the target article are discussed. Suggestions have been made for further analyses of some of the data and for ...additional experimental investigations.
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