The NEC Chamber Singers with conductor and director Erica J. Washburn share a program of non-idiomatic choral works by Black composers, spanning from the Renaissance to the 21st century, from as far away as Brazil and Germany, and as close to home as one can be - an NEC alumnus. This concert was created using a combination of in-person ensemble recording and remote submission.

FROM ERICA J. WASHBURN:

“Choral singing, whether in unison or in parts, is the oldest form of ensemble music making. It has lived for thousands of years despite human oppression and catastrophe.

The pandemic has forced us to try our hand at replicating the traditionally intimate experience of choral singing while standing 16 feet apart, masked, and in some cases, separated by thousands of miles. What this pandemic could not change is the passion for choral artistry, and it most certainly was not going to prevent NEC choristers from dedicating themselves to finding a way, despite the challenges, to share their art.

Every human has a voice, whether the use of that instrument flows from their vocal chords or their hands. Every human must be seen and should be heard.”

Program:

Ysaye M. Barnwell | Would You Harbor Me? (1994)
Edward Ferran, tenor

Nathaniel Dett | Ave Maria

Jonathan Lawlor, baritone

Jens Ibsen | How god comes to the soul (2014/2020)
Samantha Fox, alto
Madeleine Wiegers, soprano

Spiritual (arr. Stephen L. Hayes) | Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
Maxwell Herman, tenor

E. Boykin | Consolamini (2016)

José Mauricio Nunes Garcia | Domine, tu mihi lavas pedes?

Undine Smith Moore | Striving after God (1958)