In 1977, Willis Patterson published his Anthology of Art Songs by Black American Composers with publisher E.B.Marks. Although this was not the first anthology of its type, it had been more than 30 years since any previous publications. In addition to the anthology, Patterson produced an accompanying recording in 1981 of most of the music in the anthology using then-current Michigan students Richard Taylor, Claritha Buggs, Susan Matthews, Erika Wheeler, Gail Mitchell, Uzee Brown, and Charsie Randolph (Sawyer). There were also several professionals who contributed to this important recording. They were: Willis Patterson, George Shirley, Hilda Harris and Laura English-Robinson.

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This is a must-have collection of spirituals and composed works by a variety of African-American composers.

Includes biographical notes on composers.

For high voice and piano.

Full listing of composers and songs included in this anthology here.

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Includes biographical notes on the composers and performers.

Accompanying compact discs (issued in pockets inside back cover) contain performances by various singers with piano accompaniment.

Full listing of composers and songs included in this anthology here.

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This welcome volume and its accompanying compact discs make readily avail­able the contributions of contemporary African American composers to art song. Including thirty-nine pieces for voice and piano created since 1968 by eighteen artists, A New Anthology of Art Songs by African American Composers navigates a varied musical terrain from classical European tradi­tions to jazz and Spirituals. With nearly half of the featured songs composed by women and with others by lesser-known and emerging composers, this im­portant collection offers a diverse, representative sampling of African American art songs and works to secure the places of these songs and artists in the canon of contemporary American music.

The featured composers are H. Leslie Adams, Mable Bailey, Charles S. Brown, Wallace McClain Cheatham, Adolphus Hailstork, Jacqueline B. Hairston, William H. Henderson, Jeraldine Saunders Herbison, Betty Jackson King, William Foster McDaniel, Undine Smith Moore, Byron Motley, Bar­bara Sherrill, Robert Owens, Nadine Shanti, Frederick Tillis, Dolores White, and Julius P. Williams.

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The anthology features interviews with each composer which provide wonderful information that will help singers and teachers interpret the pieces. There is something in this anthology for every level of singer – from beginner to professional.

Full listing of composers and songs included in this anthology here.

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Appendix 8 from So You Want to Sing Spirituals (Revised 17 Oct. 2019)

This bibliography is a selected list of musical score compilations containing art songs by African American composers. Only the relevant song(s) contained in the compilations are listed--with composer and accompanying recording note where applicable.

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