There are comparable performance practices that exists in the singing of choral and solo art song spirituals that stylistically contextualize these timeless American songs of resistance. Approaches to performance pedagogy will be considered within the categories of the spiritual and discussions about: (1) text-dialect coupled with International Phonetic Alphabet; (2) ornamentation and embellishments; and (3) African rhythmic adaptations synthesized in Western art traditions. Participants will engage in exercises to demonstrate an understanding of these skills. These perspectives reflect the affirmation and cross-cultural sharing about the universal message of the human experience that is embedded in the Negro Spiritual.
American Roots: Pedagogical Approaches and Performance Practices of Negro Spirituals
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Melody Gamblin-Bullock
Dallas College-Brookhaven
MELODY GAMBLIN-BULLOCK, choral music educator and conductor is passionate about promoting the artistry of the choral art form. She is currently Director of Choral Activities at Dallas College-Brookhaven where she conducts Pegasus Choral Society and Vivace Madrigals. She has conducted and performed in international choral performances in Europe, Asia, and South America. While serving in her previous position as assistant director of the Dallas Symphony Chorus, Ms. Gamblin-Bullock prepared that ensemble for noted performances with conductors Thomas Wilkins, Lawrence Loh and Jaap van Zweden. She also prepared Pops concerts for James Newton Howard and Marvin Hamlisch.
Jammieca D. Mott
Prairie View A&M University
DR. JAMMIECA D. MOTT is Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Voice at Prairie View A&M University. Her students have performed roles in university productions, as well as summer programs, including The Glimmerglass Festival, The Chautauqua Institution Voice Program and Miami Music Festival. Dr. Mott’s students have also participated in Los Angeles Opera’s HBCU Opera Career Comprehensive, The Song Continues with Marilyn Horne at Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Finals, Mostly Mozart Festival, as well as the Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artists Vocal Academy. Dr. Mott is active as a performer and conducts masterclasses and clinics for young singers.
Demetrius Robinson
Prairie View A&M University
Dr. Demetrius Robinson serves as the Director of Choral Activities and Music Education Coordinator at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. Dr. Robinson received a Bachelor of Music Education degree in Vocal and Instrumental Music and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi, respectively. He also completed an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership at William Carey University and a Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of Memphis. In addition, Dr. Robinson received the Future Music Faculty Fellowship from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2022.
