Scholarly Abstractions: African-American Spiritual

Weldon, Brady.  Sing Me to Heaven: The History, Music, and Character of the African American Spiritual. Bachelor of Music Education Senior Thesis.  Stephen F. Austin State University, forthcoming..

 

Hailed as one of the most important and influential musical genres in the developing United States, the African-American spiritual, through its heart-breaking melodies and daring messages of hope and reassurance, continues to boldly inspire and resonate with people of all cultures and backgrounds even today. The product of an enslaved people, these songs, passed down through a rich oral tradition, brought profound sorrow and fierce jubilation to the American slaves, who relied on their melodies and stories to bring light into their often dim existences. These spirituals of the early African-American people, at their roots, reflect an outpouring of music which exposes the human condition at the most open, vulnerable level, and are continually examined by both scholar and student alike for their brilliance and spirited fervor.

 

In this research, I will provide a brief historical overview of the genre, examine three specific types of spirituals, using examples of each, and propose a new paradigm for how we consider this invaluable body of music, suggesting a genuine appreciation of the genre for its brilliance and ingenuity, as opposed to its dismissal as an artistically-thin music.  My ultimate hope in this research is to gain and share a greater understanding of this familiar, yet often misunderstood genre, and offer a much-deserved gesture of respect and gratitude to these countless souls, raising their voices as one in humble prayer for hope and freedom.

           

(“Scholarly Abstractions” is a feature highlighting brief abstracts from recent graduate projects in choral music.  To share your thesis abstract, contact Scott Dorsey at )