Music in the black Church: A Kaleidoscope of Colors

Saturday, February 11, 10- 4 and Sunday, February 12, 4:00 - 5:30

First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor

608 E. William St. Ann Arbor, MI 48107 - 7970

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLC   - DONATIONS ARE WELCOME

Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale is a 501(c)(3) qualified charitable organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Donate below.

Music in the Black Church: A Kaleidoscope of Colors

Day 1: Saturday February 11

10:00 - 12:00 

Opening Session

Location: Sanctuary

Welcome  

Alice McAllister Tillman, Music Director, Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale (OOTC) Music Director and Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Alumna

Sharon Vaughters, President Willis Patterson OOTC and Chorale Member

Opening Remarks and Introduction of Speakers 

Willis C. Patterson, Founder of Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale 

Exposé on the Negro Spiritual and Sacred Music from the Oral Tradition 

Dr. Uzee Brown, Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale Alumnus

10:50 am

Kaleidoscope Panel: The Diversity and Utility of Music in the Black Church

Moderators: Longtime colleagues Dr. Willis C. Patterson and Dr. Uzee Brown

The Kaleidoscope panel will explore the history, diversity, current and future trends in Music in the Black Church. Panelists: Dr. James Abbington, Rev. Portia Mann, Dr. Louise Toppin and Mr. Lamar Willis

12:15 pm

Community Networking Lunch (pre-registrants only)

Compliments of Virginia Sory Brown, ACCM Board Member

Registration is closed. There may be a limited number of spots available on Saturday. Inquire at the lunch check-in table at Pilgrim Hall.

Location: Pilgrim Hall 

Afternoon Focus Sessions 

1:15 – 4:00 pm

Location: Sanctuary

1:15 pm 

Adult Choral Reading Workshop – James Abbington. 

This session is designed to explore the variety of genre and formats in African American Church Traditions. Dr. James Abbington, executive editor of the African American Church Music Series by GIA Publications will lead the session inviting participants of all backgrounds to sing or listen.  Sample music provided compliments of by GIA publishing.

2:05 pm

Use of Organ in the Black Church 

Lamar Willis, Minister of Music, will share and demonstrate the types of organs and their use over time within African American church traditions. The role of the pipe organ and the Hammond B3 for congregational singing, choirs, as a solo instrument, as well as its role within sermons and other parts of worship. 

2:35 pm

African American Vocal Solo Repertoire 

This special mini concert of African American art songs provides a sampling of music that has grown from variety of genres including jazz, blues, ragtime, and sacred music including hymns and spirituals. Like the spiritual, these songs are an expression of the African American experience with text by poets including Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and Florence Hynes Willeté.  Specialist in Music student Amber Merritt and Master of Music student Tyrique McNeal will perform solo works by Margaret Bonds, Undine Smith Moore, Irene Britton Smith, Joyce Solomon Moorman, Robert Owens, and Brandon J. Spencer with Josh Marzan and Peter Smith pianists. 

3:10 pm

Closing Panel: Reflections on the Future of Music in the Black Church and Beyond

Our guest presenters and panelists will reconvene to dialog and discuss emerging trends in music in the Black Church and infusing it in other congregations as they strive for diversity and inclusion.  Audience members will be invited to ask questions and share their experiences.  

4:00 pm Adjourn

Day 2: Sunday, February 12, 2023

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm EST

Music in the Black Church: Concert

This collaborative concert features the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale and the Brazeal Dennard Chorale in a performance of Robert Ray’s 1971 Gospel Mass, as well as a variety of music from African American church traditions. 

The performance will be conducted by Alice McAllister Tillman,  Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale Music Director and Artistic Director of the Brazeal Dennard Chorale.

Accompanied by Brian Buckner, Assistant Director and Accompanist, Our Own Thing Chorale.

Music in the Black Church: A Kaleidoscope of Colors is made possible through collaboration and support from the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale,  American Center for Church Music (ACCM), the American Guild of Organists (AGO), First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor and GIA Publications, Inc.