Anthologies of African Vocal Music

Call for Scores  – Extended deadline

You are invited to submit original compositions/arrangements scored for solo voice or choral ensemble, for possible inclusion in two forthcoming anthologies of contemporary African art music to be published by Music Research Institute Press:

African Chorale: An Anthology of Original Pieces and Arrangements for

Chorus

African Art Songs: An Anthology of Original Songs and Arrangements for

Solo Voice

From Egypt to South Africa, Ethiopia to Ghana, singing constitutes a fundamental element of African musical life. This fact is nevertheless often forgotten. Particularly outside the continent, the performative voice appears to have been sidetracked by other forms of African music-making such as drumming and dance. Amid this general oversight, vocal works by composers of African art music are perhaps least known. A major reason for the lack of awareness about contemporary African art music is the unavailability of published scores and recordings. Within Africa and beyond, printed scores and anthologies are extremely rare. Paradoxically, throughout the continent, scored pieces for solo voice and choral ensembles are widely performed, being often the most accessible body of work by contemporary African composers. The vibrant art song traditions of contemporary Africa are mainly sustained via the circulation of photocopied and handwritten scores by informal networks of singers, choir directors and other aficionados.

The proposed anthologies will not only help to bring the modern singing traditions of Africa to global awareness, but also fill a long neglected gap in African music publishing.

Pieces contained in the volumes will span secular and sacred repertoires, and cover the breath of the continent, with entries representing East, West, North and South Africa, as well as adjacent islands. In addition to art songs and choral works by African composers resident in the continent and abroad, also welcome are:

Art songs/choral works by composers of African descent resident in the diaspora or the continent.

African art songs/choral works by non-African composers.

Scores may be submitted electronically to oyebadedosunmu@hotmail.com, with “Anthologies of African Art Songs” in the subject line.

Alternatively, scores may also be mailed to:

Oyebade Dosunmu

1115 N. Euclid Avenue, Apt. 1

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Submitted scores should be accompanied by the composer’s bio. Also indicate in an attached document the following:

• Title of piece(s)• Medium: solo or choral work; accompanied/a capella• Range and combination of voices, i.e. SATB, STB, TTBB, SSA, SSAATTBB etc.

Please state if pieces have already been published elsewhere, and by which publisher.

Submission deadline: June 30, 2012

* Join African Art Music on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanArtMusic