Category: Music and Culture

The Lifting of Voices

I was moved to tears when, last weekend, mezzo-soprano Brittany Logan sang the sh*t out of my arrangement of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing!” She sang it during a choral concert presented by the Bob Cole University Choir and Chamber Choir called “We Can Mend the Sky: Choral Music for Social Justice.” Conducted by my former teacher Jonathan Talberg, the Chamber Choir did a splendid job of supporting Brittany as she wailed with depth and fervor and exquisite vocalism — the perfect voice for my piece. Brittany told me that for her, a young Black American female college student, singing THIS SONG with THIS CHOIR meant the world to her. Tears were streaming from both our eyes as I hugged and hugged her. It meant the world to me, too.

I attended Saturday night’s concert with added pep in my step over having been elected President of the George Robert Garner III Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) the week prior, on October 14. I am so proud to be connected with a centuries-old Black American musical legacy through NANM. And I am filled with honor, humility, and hope as I imagine how I might serve as one of the living links between NANM and music institutions and educators that are finding ways to not only “include” Black Americans, but to give Black Americans a safe space where they can lift their voices and truly be seen and heard in ways that validate their humanity without tokenizing their identity.

I know I’ve said this before: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is a hymn that connects us to our roots, honors the present, and points toward the future. The poetry is epic and sophisticated. It speaks to our common struggle with brutality and injustice. And mostly, it speaks to the value of EVERY collective human voice that has ever been imprisoned, demoralized, persecuted, and/or murdered. Anyone and everyone can and should sing this song. But for me, and for many Black Americans, this song is our pride and joy. It means more than words can say for this song to be sung to life by our prestigious local music institutions, especially when Black Americans take the lead.

There are lots of great arrangements of “Lift Every Voice” out there. If you are a choral conductor, please consider performing mine. It is published by E.B. Marks Music and distributed by Hal Leonard. For details, go to to https://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.action?itemid=139863.

It’s my birthday!

It’s May 25th. Happy Birthday to me!

I’m celebrating by compiling a top 10 list of my favorite musical artists, as of this day in my life:

Bruno Mars

His live performances are actually even better than his recordings!

Steve Reich

I just performed his Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices, and Organ and Drumming with the Jacaranda group in Santa Monica. Reich’s deep knowledge of Ghanaian drum music permeates his works. I feel connected to my core, to something primal when I sing them and hear them.

Santa Fe Desert Chorale

Can’t get their 2015 ACDA performance in Salt Lake City out of my mind.

Leif Ove Andsnes

Best recording of Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor EVER

The Chieftains

Their recording of “Lots of Drops of Brandy” is the the happiest music I’ve ever heard.

Chris Thile

Simply the best, most accomplished and versatile mandolin virtuoso. Founding member of Nickel Creek. Currently touring with Punch Brothers, and host of Prairie Home Companion.

Frank Sinatra

This man really could sing!! I heard this song called “Crush” on KJZZ the other night. I was slain.

Deborah Cox

Her song “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” is STILL my jam. Plus, she nails the Whitney Houston character in “The Bodyguard” musical.

Denyce Graves

The voice for whom the solo in my arrangement of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” was written.

…and today’s #1 favorite is…

Morris Robinson

Former Citadel football player turned internationally-known opera singer, I follow Morris on Facebook religiously. Morris is Gittn’er done!!

This list is subject to change.

A song for every voice — then and now

Historical musicology is not my strong suit.

I have a tough time remembering dates and details, and as a non-linear thinker, I often feel like an awkward storyteller. For this reason, I should probably always carry with me some notes on my arrangement of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, a work that will be featured in LA Master Chorale’s upcoming “Wade in the Water” concert on April 30.

Controversial issues tend to surface with every performance, raising questions that include

“Who should (or shouldn’t) sing this piece?”
“To whom does it speak?”
“For whom was it written?”
“Shouldn’t we stand when we hear it?”
“Does it even belong on the concert stage?”

The questions outline the impact of this song. Over the years, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing has gained such importance in the repertoire that it is commonly referred to as the “Black National Anthem”, making it doubly important to understand that the original hymn has a life that’s larger than any one setting, and a history that can only be understood in its own context. (For anyone who is interested, this simple Google search can get you started.)

But while historical musicology is not my strong suit, socio-theomusicology is where my mind and soul thrive. I could testify for days about how Lift Ev’ry Voice wasn’t written just to empower and/or encourage a group of people who are constantly oppressed and dehumanized. It is also a bold statement of present-day victory. The fact that this poetry even exists is a testament to the wisdom and resilience of Black Americans whose faith (rooted, for better or for worse, in Christianity) said that the time for rejoicing is now; the time of our triumph is now; that the price has been paid, death has been conquered, and while there will always be work to do, by God’s grace we are here NOW, and we should sing.

This work fills me with deep gratitude and humility, and I am extraordinarily honored that this incredibly prophetic and timely poetry was composed and embraced by my people, people who identified themselves as Negro. Lift Ev’ry Voice connects me to my roots, honors the present, and points toward the future. Yet it simultaneously connects my people to every other people on this planet, by speaking to our common struggle with brutality and injustice. Mostly, it speaks to the value of EVERY collective human voice that has ever been imprisoned, demoralized, persecuted, and/or murdered.

The Johnson brothers

What an extraordinary gift was given to this country through this work from James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamund Johnson, two brilliant brothers whose heritage was Negro. THIS is why we proudly refer to this work as the Negro National Anthem – a stirring and timeless anthem for a nation comprised of all nations, written by Negroes – like me.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

African British composer, conductor, and teacher Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) was affectionately referred to in his time as the African “Mahler.” His most popular work, Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast for soli, chorus and orchestra (listen below), is a shining example of his command of musical form, texture, harmony, and orchestration, which resulted in overnight fame and respect among colleagues that few men of color could have hoped to enjoy in the early twentieth century.

After his “Hiawatha,” Coleridge-Taylor’s most well known works are his 24 Negro Melodies; his Ballade in A minor; his Symphony in A major; African Dances for violin and orchestra; and a host of chamber music — his compositional output is substantial and varied. A review of the comprehensive works list compiled by famed scholar Dominique-René de Lerma reveals that Coleridge-Taylor also wrote at least 95 songs for solo voice and piano.

Because of his incredible success in a field dominated by white males at a time when racism in America was peaking, Coleridge-Taylor’s influence on African-American artists and intellectuals was powerful and far-reaching. For this reason, many consider Coleridge-Taylor to be the father of African-American art song. His legacy still leads and inspires the American musical community, just as he did a century ago.

On Kwanzaa

As an African American who went to CSULB, taking Black Studies classes while Dr. Maulana Karenga was still chair of the department, I have an ocean depth of respect for Dr. Karenga, creator of Kwanzaa. I have such respect for the precious principles that Kwanzaa embodies.

Some say you should not mix the Kwanzaa holiday or its symbols, values and practice with any other culture, as this would violate the principle of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday. But I believe the integrity of this complex and sacred holiday is in perpetual jeopardy so long as individuals seek to prevent it from ever taking on the extraordinarily meaningful existence it could have if it were integrated into “the world.” I love Kwanzaa. On several occasions, I have performed two choral works I composed called “Umoja” and Kujichagulia” based on the principles of Kwanzaa (I’m planning to finish the set one day). I’ve loved these pieces, and so have the singers that sang them. Through these works, I believe singers and audience feel more personally connected to the spirit of the holiday, and therefore the holiday is more sincerely admired and cherished – this is important to me. Also, Kwanzaa principles are valuable to remember year-round, which makes Kwanzaa music potentially viable for year-round performances at concerts, festivals, sacred services, conferences, etc.

Through music, Kwanzaa could teach so much to our children and to our audiences in general. But Kwanzaa seems so stuck in an intellectual wasteland, guarded by a small number of folk who refuse to let it have a life of it’s own. Let it be integrated into the real world where Christmas and Hanukkah and other winter celebrations enrich many lives as they exist simultaneously. These holidays bring us closer together and make us appreciate each other more – who wouldn’t want that? Without cultural expressions of Kwanzaa through music and art, in conjunction with other winter celebrations, through performances and media that can reach into schools and churches and concert halls and homes, in my opinion this precious holiday remains impotent with its principles unappreciated and unknown.

This post was originally published on ChoralNet, the online bulletin board system for the American Choral Directors Association. Thanks to ACDA for their help in retrieving the post for this blog.