Clark University: 'A Great Cry of Soul: a musical program for African American History Month'

[Margaret Allison Bonds (1913-1972), African American Composer and Pianist]

Clark University
A Great Cry of Soul: a musical program for African American History Month

Clark University's Music Program will present "A Great Cry of Soul" at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, in Daniels Theater in Atwood Hall on Downing Street in Worcester. The event is free and open to the public. Deeply committed to study of the rich heritage of Black American music, David Howse and Ben Moritz have planned programs highlighting the music of Black American composers to raise awareness of their contributions to the musical fabric of our country.

This 60-minute concert features early Negro spirituals, gems of the Harlem Renaissance, and rarely-performed classical art songs of Black American composers such as William Grant Still, Margaret Bonds and Harry T. Burleigh. The event will explore the musical and historical significance of music and poetry, including works by black poets such as Langston Hughes. Through guided listening, call and response singing, and rhythmic clapping, participants will tap into powerful music from the past and present—music that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit. [Works Lists and Bibliographies for Margaret Allison Bonds (1913-1972), Henry “Harry” Thacker Burleigh (1866-1949) and William Grant Still (1895-1978) have been compiled by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma and may be found at AfriClassical.com]