Upcoming Art Songs from the African Diaspora and beyond with Michael Harper

Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Fee: £365

Art Songs from the African Diaspora and beyond

with Michael Harper

Explore Art Songs by African and Mixed-Heritage Composers and the influence of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Harry T. Burleigh on generations of composers of African heritage along with songs that grew out of the many local, indigenous, and national influences from various countries and regions around the world. There will be a focus on stylistic interpretation, diction, poetry, and historic context. Particular emphasis will be given to Black Women Composers. Some of the music is readily available in anthologies or on the websites of the composers and the African American Art Song Alliance. Please see below for a full list of anthologies and suggested repertoire. Any American song or any song in English is also welcomed.  Of course,  the songs by African-heritage composers could be in other languages as well.

This course will focus on widening knowledge and there will be an opportunity to learn some songs as a group.

Each participant should prepare two or three art songs, one could be a  spiritual, and will have individual coaching sessions in the group. Duos and singers with their own accompanist are also welcome to attend, to work with the tutors.

Repertoire Suggestions:

Particular emphasis will be given to Black Women Composers including: Amanda Ira Aldridge, Margaret Bonds, Brittney Elizabeth Boykin, Valerie Capers, Avril Coleridge-Taylor, Maria Thompson Corley, Shirley Graham Du Bois, Jacqui Hairston, Hannah Kendall, Betty Jackson King, Dominique Le Gendre, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Undine Smith Moore, Nailah Nombeko, Julia Perry, Zenobia Powell Perry, Florence Price, Shirley Thompson, Errollyn Wallen. Some of the music is readily available in anthologies or on the websites of the composers; List of Anthologies of Art Songs by Black American Composers.

Other sources for information are the African American Art Song Alliance, African Diaspora Music Project, Videmus Publishing and Classical Music Reprints – Glendower Jones.

A £70 deposit is required to secure your place on this course. The balance of fees, including accommodation, is due 3 weeks before the course start date.

You can also buy an Observer Pass for this course. The Observer Pass entitles you to attend on SATURDAY from 11am–1pm as an observer only and costs £10. This can be redeemed against a subsequent course booking. Places are limited. More info and terms and conditions here.