Concert spirituals, anthems, and gospel music are distinct styles of sacred choral songs by Black composers influenced by Western European classical music. These songs have transcended race and cultures, performed globally by diverse choral groups on concert stages and in religious venues. While African American spirituals, anthems, and gospel music are unique, they share musical characteristics, leading to mislabeling and the incorrect interchangeable use of terms. This miscategorization overlooks contributions to the classical music tradition and leads to inappropriate performance practices. This session aims to provide general characteristics of concert spirituals, gospel, and ethnic anthems to assist in classifying and performing these songs more appropriately. The characteristics are not extensive, as spiritual arrangements and gospel music are dynamic and ever-changing.
Spirituals, Ethnic Anthems, and Gospel Music: Is There a Difference?
William Powell
William Powell is director of choral activities at Auburn University. He teaches choral-related courses and conducts the Chamber Choir, Men's Chorus, Concert Choir, and Gospel Choir. He guest conducts throughout the United States and abroad, with several performances at the Lincoln Center through Distinguished Concerts International New York. Dr. Powell also serves as an adjudicator for state and regional choral festivals and annually for Festival Disney. A graduate of The Florida State University, Westminster Choir College, and Alabama State University, his choral arrangements are published by Hal Leonard, Oxford University Press, and Gentry Publications, which also publishes “The William Powell Choral Series.” Powell has served on the National Board of NCCO as a Southern Region representative. He is also an active member of ACDA and holds memberships with NAfME and the American Society of Composers and Publishers.
Rosephanye Powell
Rosephanye Powell has been hailed as one of America's premier women composers and the most performed African American female composer of choral music internationally. She serves as professor of voice at Auburn University, where she teaches courses in voice, vocal pedagogy, and vocal literature, and conducts the Women's Chorus and Concert Choir. A graduate of the Florida State University, Westminster Choir College, and Alabama State University, she is in high demand as a composer and conductor. In addition to her choral works, Powell is known for her art songs and spiritual arrangements for solo voice and piano. Her numerous awards and honors include the 2025 Brock Commission, Honorary Life Member of NCCO (2023), the National Vanguard Award from the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (2023), and the Luise Vosgerchian Teaching Award presented by Harvard University (2022).
