The work of 12 Black composers was brought to light on Wednesday, Feb. 5, through the Illumination concert, a performance held in Boyd Recital Hall.

The pieces featured were of varying styles and subject matter, but all had similar influences of American blues, jazz, folk, and classical music. Many of the composers featured had been classically trained at universities across the country despite the adversity they faced as Black people working in frequently racist institutions.

To highlight these accomplishments and to tell the stories of underrepresented musicians and composers, a brief account of their lives and accomplishments would precede each performance. These were delivered by Marian Stieber, a member of the voice faculty and one of the organizers of the event or the singer of the piece.

Illumination featured the work of 12 composers, with a few repeats throughout the night totaling 16 pieces. These works portrayed a range of emotions, themes, and even styles within the art song genre.

Accompanying each singer was collaborative pianist Debra Scurto-Davis.

The evening started off with “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” composed by H.T. Burleigh and performed by Rowan student Mark Green.

Green was filling in for fellow voice student Samuel Garcia, who had fallen ill and could no longer perform in the Illumination concert. Despite last-minute preparation, Green gave a great performance and kicked off the night with his rich tenor sound.

“Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit” was the first of many spirituals performed throughout the night. Spirituals are a style of vocal music that has long struggled for recognition as “legitimate” vocal pedagogy. By bringing them to light through a recital such as this, the Rowan Vocal Division recognizes their legitimacy.

Some pieces throughout the evening were morose, such as “I Will Lie Down in Autumn” composed by Howard Swanson and performed by Caelan Donahue, or “Grief,” composed by William Grant Still and performed by Mark Green. 

Still, much of the music was joyous and even whimsical, including the piece “Seven Days,” composed by Mable Bailey. This was the only song of the evening whose composer was still living. 

Singer Jenna Migliorino skipped on stage, twirled her hair, and set to work singing about the seven days of the week. This piece highlighted a childlike distaste for Mondays, likening Monday to lemon candy and the rest of the days to other, better sweet treats.

The evening wound down with two choral arrangements, the first of which was presented by the Voces Chamber Ensemble. The eight-person group sang an arrangement of Ave Maria by Nathanial Dett. 

The second choral work was performed by the Rowan Vocal Division and was conducted by Dr. Christopher Thomas. In reference to the first work of the evening, the group sang “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit,” this time arranged by William Dawson.

Leading up to this final performance, special guest of the evening Ramona Chainey, president of the Marian Anderson Music Guild, addressed the crowd.

“It is always a pleasure to listen to the music that is coming out when I come to Rowan. It can lift you up, it makes you soar, it brings you down when you’re grieving, it gives you hope. That’s what it’s all about: music,” said Chainey.

The Marian Anderson Guild is a chapter of the National Association of Negro Musicians. The guild has a scholarship program that has partnered with Rowan to aid musicians looking to further their education.

The Marian Anderson Guild also promotes the work of African American composers and musicians and offers workshops facilitated by a member of the Rowan voice faculty, Dr. Plant.

After the recital’s conclusion, performers mingled with audience members and greeted friends and family. Among these performers was Avé Corbitt, a music performance and music industry major with a Japanese CUGS, who sang “Give Me Jesus” composed by Moses Hogan.

“I just feel like it’s a song that whether you believe in God or not, it’s just something that we all need to hear, and it makes us hopeful,” said Corbitt about her piece.

As for the evening itself, Corbitt said it went pretty well.

“There were a few bumps in the road with getting the jazz students included in it, but I feel like it all beautifully came together,” said Corbitt.

Initially, music performance majors with a jazz concentration were not aware of the Illumination concert, however, after people on the classical side of the vocal division were contacted, everything was worked out and students like Avé were able to perform.

This concert served to both highlight the work of Black composers and display collaboration across the Rowan Vocal Division. For more performances like this, check out the Rowan Box Office website.

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