Singing Down the Barriers
A Guide to Centering African American Song for Concert Performers
Published on 15. July 2023
Book
Hardback
204 pages
978-1-5381-6991-9 (ISBN)
Description
Never has there been a more urgent time to foster cultural humility, diversity, and community dialogue while addressing systemically exclusionary teaching practices in vocal music.
Singing Down the Barriers offers readers from all ethnic backgrounds a space in which to better understand the historical and cultural barriers to researching, programming, and performing repertoire by composers from the African diaspora. Emery Stephens and Caroline Helton present a pedagogical guide for singers, singing teachers, students, and administrators that will assist not only with programming but also in creating sustainable, brave spaces for critical conversations on race, equity, and American music. The book is divided into three parts:
Part one presents historical context for African American song from the 19th century to the 21st century.Part two examines the culture of academic institutions and provides a framework for positive change.Part three provides strategies to foster integrated communities that can explore this repertoire with respect and mutual support as well as ways to incorporate Afrocentric music into the canon.This book is a seminal resource for higher education, community music programs, private studios, and beyond, and will help support DEI initiatives for vocal music programs.
Singing Down the Barriers offers readers from all ethnic backgrounds a space in which to better understand the historical and cultural barriers to researching, programming, and performing repertoire by composers from the African diaspora. Emery Stephens and Caroline Helton present a pedagogical guide for singers, singing teachers, students, and administrators that will assist not only with programming but also in creating sustainable, brave spaces for critical conversations on race, equity, and American music. The book is divided into three parts:
Part one presents historical context for African American song from the 19th century to the 21st century.Part two examines the culture of academic institutions and provides a framework for positive change.Part three provides strategies to foster integrated communities that can explore this repertoire with respect and mutual support as well as ways to incorporate Afrocentric music into the canon.This book is a seminal resource for higher education, community music programs, private studios, and beyond, and will help support DEI initiatives for vocal music programs.
Reviews / Votes
Singing Down the Barriers, which is intended for people of all races, challenges assumptions and provides a thoughtful road map intended to correct the glaring omissions in our vocal canon. Their work presents a respectful approach to music and approaches difficult conversations about our racialized, exclusionary past while offering practical advice intent on engendering authentic conversation. -- Louise Toppin, professor of music, voice, The University of Michigan "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" is an aphorism that is often cited to underline the importance of studying history. In Singing Down the Barriers, Stephens and Helton present the same advice, but with a positive spin. Those who learn from the past can improve the present, and lay the foundation for a future that is rich and respectful. Everyone should read this book because it is instructive and enriching. The volume is also empowering, not only to the composers and culture of Black song, but to anyone who aspires to be a collaborative partner in the performance of this repertoire. * Journal of Singing *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
21 b/w illustration
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
489 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5381-6991-9 (9781538169919)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Emery Stephens | Caroline Helton
Singing Down the Barriers
A Guide to Centering African American Song for Concert Performers
E-Book
07/2023
1st Edition
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
€32.99
Available for download
Persons
Emery Stephens, baritone, is an assistant professor of voice at St. Olaf College. He has delivered presentations for the College Music Society, Race and Pedagogy National Conference, African American Art Song Alliance, National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music, and the Singing Down the Barriers Institute.
Caroline Helton, soprano, is a clinical associate professor of music at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Through her teaching, recordings, and publications, she is a tireless advocate for integrating the canon of song repertoire to reflect and respect its true diversity. Along with Emery Stephens, she co-founded the Singing Down the Barriers project.
Caroline Helton, soprano, is a clinical associate professor of music at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Through her teaching, recordings, and publications, she is a tireless advocate for integrating the canon of song repertoire to reflect and respect its true diversity. Along with Emery Stephens, she co-founded the Singing Down the Barriers project.
Content
List of Figures
Preface
Introduction: What is the "Singing Down the Barriers" Project?
Section I: Historical Foundations and Context
Chapter 1: American Music in the 19th Century through an Inclusive Lens
Chapter 2: The Early Twentieth Century: Race, Music, Popular Culture and the Harlem Renaissance
Chapter 3: Post-War, the Civil Rights Era, and Beyond
Section II. Institutional Interventions
Chapter 4: The Academy as an Agent of Restorative Justice through Pedagogy, Performance, Research, and Community Engagement
Chapter 5: Influence and Inspiration: Understanding Context and Cultural Influences in Classical American Vocal Music
Chapter 6: Centering the African American Experience: Spirituals and Non-classical Genres in the Voice Studio
Section III: Strategies for Creating Community and Building Music Ecosystems
Chapter 7: Allyship, Permission, and Informed Performance Practice
Chapter 8 :Facilitating Meaningful Conversations and Building Relationships: How to Create Vibrant Music Ecosystems in the Academy
Chapter 9: Community Engagement, Data Collection, and Audience Development
Selected Bibliography and Resources
Selected Song Anthologies and Collections
Glossary
Index
About the Authors
Preface
Introduction: What is the "Singing Down the Barriers" Project?
Section I: Historical Foundations and Context
Chapter 1: American Music in the 19th Century through an Inclusive Lens
Chapter 2: The Early Twentieth Century: Race, Music, Popular Culture and the Harlem Renaissance
Chapter 3: Post-War, the Civil Rights Era, and Beyond
Section II. Institutional Interventions
Chapter 4: The Academy as an Agent of Restorative Justice through Pedagogy, Performance, Research, and Community Engagement
Chapter 5: Influence and Inspiration: Understanding Context and Cultural Influences in Classical American Vocal Music
Chapter 6: Centering the African American Experience: Spirituals and Non-classical Genres in the Voice Studio
Section III: Strategies for Creating Community and Building Music Ecosystems
Chapter 7: Allyship, Permission, and Informed Performance Practice
Chapter 8 :Facilitating Meaningful Conversations and Building Relationships: How to Create Vibrant Music Ecosystems in the Academy
Chapter 9: Community Engagement, Data Collection, and Audience Development
Selected Bibliography and Resources
Selected Song Anthologies and Collections
Glossary
Index
About the Authors