Description
Book SynopsisWith their rich and complicated history, spirituals hold a special place in the American musical tradition. The folk songs of African American slaves have blended with European art song and American choral traditions and become a soul-stirring musical form irresistible to singers seeking to enrich and diversify their performance repertoire. Spirituals are not without controversy, though, and singers of non-Africa descent often struggle to know whether or not their performance of this music is appropriate or socially acceptable. So You Want to Sing Spirituals provides a comprehensive introduction to the history and performance of this rich and diverse musical style. Singer and historian Randye Jones explores spirituals’ folk song roots and the music’s transformation to choral and solo vocal concert repertoire. She profiles key composers and pioneers of the genre while also discussing the use of dialect and other controversial performance considerations. Contributed chapters address elements of collaborative piano, studio teaching, choral arrangement, and voice science and health as they apply to the performance of spirituals. The So You Want to Sing series is produced in partnership with the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Like all books in the series, So You Want to Sing Spirituals features online supplemental material on the NATS website. Please visit www.nats.org to access style-specific exercises, audio and video files, and additional resources.
Trade ReviewA wonderful resource for those interested in navigating the world of spirituals. Randye Jones melds methodical research with practical advice into a book that invites students and teachers of all ethnicities to explore and present spirituals with greater authenticity and confidence. -- Louise Toppin, University of Michigan, director, the George Shirley Vocal Competition for African American Spirituals, Art Song and Operatic Arias
Jones has created a broad-ranging study that enables singers to make informed decisions about a repertoire complicated by its connection to a painful history. It is time to embrace this beautiful repertoire and expand the performance canon. -- Kathleen A. Abromeit, Oberlin Conservatory Library and author of Spirituals: A Multidisciplinary Bibliography for Research and Performance
Finally, a comprehensive guide dedicated to the performance of the concert spiritual! In this much-needed work, Jones expertly imparts her knowledge of the vocal and technical demands that this American art form requires. -- Robert Sims, professor of voice, Northern Illinois University
Table of ContentsForeword George Shirley Chapter 1: What Are Spirituals? Chapter 2: From Cotton Field to Concert Hall Chapter 3: Pioneers of the Concert Spiritual Chapter 4: Song Literature Chapter 5: Using Dialect in Performance Chapter 6: Must You Be Black to Sing Spirituals? Chapter 7: Collaborating with Pianists Casey Robards Chapter 8: African American Art Song Emery Stephens & Caroline Helton Chapter 9: Spirituals: Interpretative Guidelines for Studio Teachers Barbara Steinhaus Chapter 10: Choral Arrangements of Spirituals Patricia J. Trice Chapter 11: Spirituals: America’s Contribution to World Sacred Music Timothy W. Sharpe Chapter 12: Gaining Perspective: A Linguistic Approach to Dialect Felicia Barber Chapter 13: Singing and Voice Science Scott McCoy Chapter 14: Vocal Health for Singers Wendy LeBorgne
