At Graphite, we celebrate the heritage of Black History and their contributions to American culture. African American music has enriched music in the United States in innumerable ways, but if there is one element that permeates it all, it is rhythm.
Stardust
B.E. Boykin
Graphite Publishing
Difficulty: 2
Duration: 3-5 min.
Available for SATB, SSA, or TBB, with piano and djembe
B.E. Boykin’s “Stardust” isn’t consciously influenced by Black music, it is Black music.
“I don’t think about it, I naturally use elements of gospel, jazz, and R&B.”
— B.E. Boykin
The use of driving percussion and intoxicating rhythms drive home a message of strength forged through struggle.
Choir director Marcus J. Jauregui, says, “In ‘Stardust,’ the singers call for ‘a home where we can run” in memory of Ahmaud Arbery, ‘a home where we can pray’ in memory of the victims of the Mother Emanuel shooting, ‘a home where we can breathe” in memory of George Floyd, and a home ‘to sleep and dream without fear’ in memory of Breonna Taylor.
When we sing, we pray twice, and it is my prayer that this piece stirs all who hear it to call for justice for the people of color taken from this world before their time and without concern for their humanity.
‘If we are only stardust, let your names reach to the sky above us. Like petals wafting on a breeze, we lift you up beyond our reach.’”
“Stardust” for SSA choir and piano, performed by the Pershing Middle School Treble Choir Houston ISD, under the direction of Marcus J. Jauregui, for their 2021 Texas Music Educators Association Convention performance.
Forged
Reginal Wright
Graphite Publishing
Difficulty: 4
Duration: 3-5 min.
For TTBB, piano, brake drum, and bass drum
“Forged” by Reginal Wright uses percussion, piano, and low voices to create a powerful, driving work of prophetic power. The text exhorts the listener to be a participant in forging rhetorical weapons for change and justice.
Poet Cara Cullen says, “In the ‘smelter of public opinion,’ we have to choose whether we will be forged by anger and self-righteousness or grace and humility.
When we bring humanity to the table, when we see on the other side of the argument someone equally as passionate and flawed as ourselves, when we commit to justice, when we focus on doing what is right and not just winning, we stand a better chance at effecting positive change than if we just throw our hurt and rage at our opposition.”
“Forged,” for TTBB, piano, brake drum, and bass drum performed by Flower Mound Tenor Bass Choir
Joy Never Leaves
Christopher H. Harris
Graphite Publishing
Difficulty: 4
Duration: 3-5 min.
For SATB and piano
“Joy Never Leaves” by Christopher H. Harris positively bursts and cascades with flowing tears and shouts of joy. “Joy Never Leaves” is a full-throated and elated celebration of the human spirit from beginning to end. It’s a “must” experience for both choir and audience. Moderate vocal ranges and a lack of divisi make “Joy Never Leaves” accessible to most choirs. The exciting piano accompaniment provides a great opportunity for a collaborative pianist to make an important contribution to the performance.
I am full of tears!!
Tears of joy that seem to well and flow
upon the thought that I carry the promise
of beauty for ashes and life anew.A plan so delicate that no gentle hand of ours
could place it all in place with grace
to cause it not to break.Birthed from faith and made with love, it grows.
Hope nurtures it and peace sustains
the dwelling place as the hymn does
the soul that sings of Thee.These tears which once fell for loss,
now build a grateful river that runs
through forests of prayer and possibility.They flow, but joy never leaves.
– Devondra Banks
“Joy Never Leaves,” performed by Indiana University Jacobs School of Music NOTUS Dominick DiOrio, conductor; Rees Taylor Roberts, piano
About the Composers
B.E. Boykin (Brittney Boykin) is a native of Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating from Spelman College in 2011 with a B.A. in Music, Ms. Boykin continued her studies at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. She continued to compose music during her time at Westminster and was awarded the R & R Young Composition Prize just a few months shy of graduating. In May of 2013, Ms. Boykin graduated from Westminster Choir College with a M.M. in Sacred Music with a concentration in choral studies. Among her professional endeavors, Ms. Boykin is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She recently obtained her PhD from Georgia State University with an emphasis in Music Education.
Check out more of B.E. Boykin’s Music!
Reginal Wright has served over 20 years as a public school teacher. As an educator, Reginal has earned many awards including Outstanding Teacher, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and the Secondary Educator of the Year Award. Reginal has performed music throughout Europe and the United States. As a conductor, he is sought after as a clinician in both middle and high school and has enjoyed the opportunity to conduct honor choirs throughout the United States.
As a composer, Reginal’s works have been commissioned by middle school, high school, college, and professional choirs. His works have been performed by All-State Choirs and invited convention choirs. His “Invictus” was performed in the 2021 ACDA National Convention and by the 2022 Texas All-State Tenor-Bass Choir. His “Where are the Bodies” was performed at Carnegie Hall in collaboration with Dallas-based Turtle Creek Chorale. Reginal’s works are published and distributed through Graphite Publishing, BriLee, Carl Fisher, Graphite, Hal Leonard, Oxford University Press, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and Reginal Wright Music. Reginal received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music Education Degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Most recently, he was the head choral director at Mansfield High School and is currently on the music staff at Baylor University. Reginal resides in Arlington, Texas with his wife, Renetta, son, Gabrien, daughter, Reece, and Yorkie, Cooper.
Check out more of Reginal Wright’s Music!
Dr. Christopher H. Harris, native of Fort Worth, Texas, is a music educator, conductor, performer, and choral composer. In August 2017 he joined the faculty at Arkansas Tech University as Director of Choral Studies and Assistant Professor of Music. He received his PhD in Choral Music Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, his Master’s in Choral Conducting from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, and his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Texas Southern University in Houston, TX. Prior to entering graduate school, Harris enjoyed several years of successful public school teaching in Houston, Texas.
His choirs received numerous sweepstakes awards at state UIL competition as well as honors to perform with the Bay Area Chorus and an invitation to perform as a demonstration group at the Texas Choral Directors Association Convention.
Harris is the founder of the Houston Master Singers and has served as the Assistant Director for the Houston Ebony Opera Guild. He is active as an adjudicator and has presented numerous sessions on choral rehearsal techniques at state and regional conventions. He is a published composer with several accolades including winner of both the Eastern and National Divisions of the 2013 National Association for Music Education Composition Competition, and the Grand Prize Winner of the 2016 Ithaca College Choral Composition Competition. His music has been performed internationally by mixed, men’s, and treble choirs of varied ages and abilities.
Check out more of Christopher H. Harris’s Music!
Our Contributing Editor
Jonathan Campbell, BA, MSM, DMA, currently serves as Director of Music at Zion Lutheran Church, Anoka, MN., and is a Contributing Editor for Graphite Publishing. His music publishers include Augsburg Fortress, Concordia, Morningstar, GIA, Sacred Music Press, and Falls House. He won first prize in the Morningside Choral Composition Contest and was also awarded a Faith Partner’s Residency with the American Composer’s Forum. Jonathan has served many churches, conducted the Chorale of the Honors Choirs S.E. MN for eight years, and has served on the faculties of Winona State University, Augsburg University, and Pomona College.
Love reading these newsletters? Get the firsthand by signing up here.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.