Choral Reading Session:�Historically Marginalized Composers

Morgan Jolley (morganejolley@gmail.com)

Joslyn Thomas (joslynthomas01@gmail.com)

Eric Williamson (ewilliamson91@gmail.com)

NY ACDA, August 15, 2022

Challenges with Developing Choirs

• Accessibility (especially with aural/oral cultures being notated in Western European notation)
• Range and Tessitura Considerations
• Voicings available
• Establishing Vocal Independence
• Musical Elements: Intervallic relationships, Rhythmic challenges, Harmonic Structure,
• Age-Appropriate Text
• Meeting students where they are at and taking them on a journey (and letting them take you on a journey too)!
• Developing Literacy
• Equity in Representation and Diversity
• Finding Culture Bearers
• Finding the Music! So many composers self-publish!

Canto de Pilon, �Traditional from Venezuela, �arr. Cristian Grases

Joan Varner

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“When I am Silent”

The Duel (The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat), ��Michael Bussewitz-Quarm

El Pambiche Lento, �Juan-Tony Guzmán�Folk Merengue from the Dominican Republic

It’s All Right, �Curtis Mayfield, �arr. Robert T. Gibson

Craig Hella Johnson

“Meet Me Here”

Daa Naa Se, �arr. Raymond Wise

Nana Abena Dansowaa Amoah-Ramey, Ghanaian Culture Bearer, Ethnomusicologist, African American & African Diaspora Studies Department, Indiana University

Until I Reach My Home, �arr. Brandon Boyd��Primary source-based arrangement

We Are

Ysaÿe Barnwell 

I am a Cloud, ��Neil Ginsberg

�Rollo Dilworth

“Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around”

Plena

Diana Sáez

Will the Rain Fall Down, �Braeden Ayers

Panhandle, 1939: Dust Bowl

More Composers to Consider �This is NOT an exhaustive list! Go exploring!)

Thank you!�Special thanks to our brilliant collaborative pianists, Kim Dunkin & Doreen Fryling!

Morgan Jolley (morganejolley@gmail.com)

Joslyn Thomas (joslynthomas01@gmail.com)

Eric Williamson (ewilliamson91@gmail.com)

NY ACDA, August 15, 2022