Caroline Helton

Black Song: A Manifesto for Music and Justice centers acts of musical creation and performance that emerge from Black experiences, affirm Black humanity, and connect to Black communities. Written for scholars, performers, and music fans, the book shows that learning about Black Song and its creation is central to understanding both American music and Black American experiences. By providing a more inclusive, just, and accurate understanding of the art of Black Song, the authors disrupt and expand musical canons. Black Song shines a spotlight on the response, resistance, and community building that occur in musical creation in Black spaces, past and present. The authors explore histories and performances across musical styles—from classical to country to hiphop to opera to jazz to gospel to many others. They offer practical advice on how to perform, research, teach, and listen to this music. As they center Black Song in American history and music, they show that this music is a valuable tool for promoting productive and healing dialogues about race, justice, and history. Encouraging empathy and understanding, Black Song shows how to approach Black music and spaces with knowledge and respect.

Never has there been a more urgent time to foster cultural humility, diversity, and community dialogue while addressing systemically exclusionary teaching practices in vocal music. Singing Down the Barriers offers readers from all ethnic backgrounds a space in which to better understand the historical and cultural barriers to researching, programming, and performing repertoire by composers from the African diaspora. Emery Stephens and Caroline Helton present a pedagogical guide for singers, singing teachers, students, and administrators that will assist not only with programming but also in creating sustainable, brave spaces for critical conversations on race, equity, and American music. The book is divided into three parts: Part one presents historical context for African American song from the 19th century to the 21st century. Part two examines the culture of academic institutions and provides a framework for positive change. Part three provides strategies to foster integrated communities that can explore this repertoire with respect and mutual support as well as ways to incorporate Afrocentric music into the canon. This book is a seminal resource for higher education, community music programs, private studios, and beyond, and will help support DEI initiatives for vocal music programs.

Never has there been a more urgent time to foster cultural humility, diversity, and community dialogue while addressing systemically exclusionary teaching practices in vocal music. Singing Down the Barriers offers readers from all ethnic backgrounds a space in which to better understand the historical and cultural barriers to researching, programming, and performing repertoire by composers from the African diaspora. Emery Stephens and Caroline Helton present a pedagogical guide for singers, singing teachers, students, and administrators that will assist not only with programming but also in creating sustainable, brave spaces for critical conversations on race, equity, and American music. The book is divided into three parts: Part one presents historical context for African American song from the 19th century to the 21st century. Part two examines the culture of academic institutions and provides a framework for positive change. Part three provides strategies to foster integrated communities that can explore this repertoire with respect and mutual support as well as ways to incorporate Afrocentric music into the canon. This book is a seminal resource for higher education, community music programs, private studios, and beyond, and will help support DEI initiatives for vocal music programs.