• Sign In
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
American Choral Directors Association

American Choral Directors Association

The mission of ACDA is to inspire excellence and nurture lifelong involvement in choral music for everyone through education, performance, composition and advocacy.

  • Conferences
    • 2025 National Conference
    • Region Conferences
    • Symposium for Research in Choral Singing
    • Children’s Choir Conductor Retreat
    • Conference Archives
  • Resources
    • Repertoire
      • College and University Choirs Repertoire
      •  Soprano Alto Choir Repertoire
      • Tenor Bass Choir Repertoire
      • 2023 Spring Reading Sessions
    • Education and Communication National Standing Committee
    • Research and Publications Committee
    • National Webinars
    • ChoralNet
    • Composer Resources
    • International Conductors Exchange Program
    • Career Center
    • Advocacy
    • Students
    • Archive Collections
  • Publications
    • Choral Journal
    • ChorTeach
    • International Journal of Research in Choral Singing
    • Hinshaw Music Series
  • About
    • About ACDA
    • ACDA Careers
    • ACDA Bylaws
    • ACDA Leadership
    • Advertising & Exhibiting
    • ACDA Awards & Competitions
    • Chapters and Regions
    • History
    • Leadership Tools
    • National Office & Staff
  • Membership
    • ONE ACDA
  • Donate

Understanding the Unique Voice and Culture of the Gospel Musician

Matt Falker
Anchor Music / MiraCosta College

Cedric Dent
Middle Tennessee State University

Session Abstract: It can be quite a challenge understanding the perspective of a student that walks into your choral classroom armed with only experience in contemporary gospel, and little to no music reading exposure. Through Cedric Dent’s time with 10-time GRAMMY award winning vocal group “TAKE 6”, we will explore the unique voice of the Black gospel musician, by seeking to understand the core of the gospel vocal sound, common gospel harmonic devices, and the cultural heartbeat that seeps through this special musical art. Participants will learn about how to better connect with, honor, and educate these students.

×
Matt Falker Headshot

Matt Falker

Anchor Music / MiraCosta College

Matt Falker is a jazz and gospel pianist, vocalist, arranger and clinician. As the piano professor at MiraCosta College, he directs the Downbeat award-winning Frequency vocal jazz program, and hosts the Oceanside Jazz Festival for jazz choirs.

Matt distributes his jazz choir arrangements through his company, Anchor Music Publications (formerly SMP - Frank DeMiero), with the music of dozens of other writers. Anchor also runs the Vocal Jazz Academy: a series of one-day jazz workshops for teachers and students around North America.

Matt presented a workshop concert at the 2019 IVJC Conference in Helsinki, Finland.

anchormusic.com / oceansidejazzfestival.com / vocaljazzacademy.com

Cedric Dent Headshot

Cedric Dent

Middle Tennessee State University

For 25 years, Cedric Dent, a native of Detroit, Michigan, was a baritone vocalist, music arranger, and co-producer of the 10-time GRAMMY Award-winning vocal group, TAKE 6. He is also a 2-time Grammy-nominated music arranger and created several arrangements for the Grammy-award winning recording Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration (1992).

A professor at Middle Tennessee State University, Dent directs the MTSU Singers (a vocal jazz ensemble), teaches a course he developed on the history of black gospel music, and teaches courses in music theory. He also coordinates the School of Music’s internship program for music industry majors.

This content was published on: August 17, 2022

  • Event Home

Additional Sessions

  • Choral Techniques for Pop A Cappella
  • Singing Afro-Brazilian Music: Jongo and Samba Reggae
  • Our December Dilemma: The “Sacred” Controversy
  • Celebrating the African influence in the Music of Latin America
  • Bridging the Gap: From Concert Choir to Contemporary A Cappella

Footer

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
AppStore Google Play Store

Privacy Policy

 
American Choral Directors Association

PO Box 1705
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1705
(405)232-8161

© 2025 American Choral Directors Association · All Rights Reserved.