Grande Dames of the Chicago Black Renaissance
A Spring Concert by The Michael Teolis Singers
MTS is in the throes of preparing one of its most ambitious and historic programs in its 17-year history.
It is the custom of the organization to feature the works of select composers at its spring concert. This season, the ensemble will perform the choral works of six Black women composers who were born in Chicago and/or developed their crafts in the Windy City. Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Lena McLin, Regina Harris Baiocchi, Betty Jackson King, and Irene Britton Smith are being represented.
At first, I planned to do the music of several Black women from across the country; I researched works of familiar names and looked for others. As I began my research, I discovered severalchoral works by Florence Price and Margaret Bonds, both Chicago composers. We performed works by both of these women over the years. Of particular note was the “Ballad of the Brown King,” by Margaret Bonds, which we presented at our Holiday concert in December, 2012. At that point, I thought of presenting a concert of the choral works of only Bonds and Price. As I continued researching, however, I was coming across other Black women composers from Chicago, some whose music I knew and performed. It was around that time that I realized I could assemble a program that would celebrate Black women from Chicago, alone. Along with my own resources, the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College has been tremendous help in putting together some of the final pieces of our programming puzzle.
The centerpiece for this concert will be Margaret Bonds’ “Credo,” set to a text by W. E. B. Du Bois. She fully orchestrated the work; however, we will be performing with the piano reduction. I came across several short choral works by Florence Price, which will make up a lovely choral bouquet. Much different than the other selections will be a set of two pieces set in African dialects by local composer, Regina Harris Baiocchi. The late Lena McLin will be represented by three of her works, including her “Te Deum Laudamus.” The balance of the program will include settings of “Psalm 46” by Irene Britton Smith and “Psalm 57” by Betty Jackson King.
This concert is developing into a special, unique, and singular historical event. The music is appealing, accessible, and well-crafted. At this performance, we will introduce or reintroduce some important voices to the world of choral music and to a new and wider audience.
It is the custom of the organization to feature the works of select composers at its spring concert. This season, the ensemble will perform the choral works of six Black women composers who were born in Chicago and/or developed their crafts in the Windy City. Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Lena McLin, Regina Harris Baiocchi, Betty Jackson King, and Irene Britton Smith are being represented.
At first, I planned to do the music of several Black women from across the country; I researched works of familiar names and looked for others. As I began my research, I discovered severalchoral works by Florence Price and Margaret Bonds, both Chicago composers. We performed works by both of these women over the years. Of particular note was the “Ballad of the Brown King,” by Margaret Bonds, which we presented at our Holiday concert in December, 2012. At that point, I thought of presenting a concert of the choral works of only Bonds and Price. As I continued researching, however, I was coming across other Black women composers from Chicago, some whose music I knew and performed. It was around that time that I realized I could assemble a program that would celebrate Black women from Chicago, alone. Along with my own resources, the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College has been tremendous help in putting together some of the final pieces of our programming puzzle.
The centerpiece for this concert will be Margaret Bonds’ “Credo,” set to a text by W. E. B. Du Bois. She fully orchestrated the work; however, we will be performing with the piano reduction. I came across several short choral works by Florence Price, which will make up a lovely choral bouquet. Much different than the other selections will be a set of two pieces set in African dialects by local composer, Regina Harris Baiocchi. The late Lena McLin will be represented by three of her works, including her “Te Deum Laudamus.” The balance of the program will include settings of “Psalm 46” by Irene Britton Smith and “Psalm 57” by Betty Jackson King.
This concert is developing into a special, unique, and singular historical event. The music is appealing, accessible, and well-crafted. At this performance, we will introduce or reintroduce some important voices to the world of choral music and to a new and wider audience.
Saturday, May 4, 2024 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church of Oak Park
324 N. Oak Park Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60302
First United Methodist Church of Oak Park
324 N. Oak Park Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60302
