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| Howard University Choir | |
|---|---|
| Name | Howard University Choir |
| Origin | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Founding year | 1921 |
| Genre | Choral music, spirituals, gospel music, classical music |
| Years active | 1921–present |
| Associated acts | Howard University, School of Divinity, College of Arts and Sciences (Howard University) |
Howard University Choir The Howard University Choir is the flagship choral ensemble of Howard University, based in Washington, D.C., noted for performances of spirituals, gospel music, and choral composition. The ensemble has collaborated with institutions such as the National Symphony Orchestra, participated in events at the Kennedy Center, and represented Howard University on tours to venues including Carnegie Hall, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and international festivals.
Founded in 1921 during the presidency of John R. Slater and the administration of Moorfield Storey (context of university leadership), the choir emerged amid broader cultural movements including the Harlem Renaissance, the development of the Black church tradition, and the growth of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Early programs featured works by composers such as Harry T. Burleigh, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and arrangements from the African American spiritual tradition. Under successive directors the choir participated in landmark events tied to the Civil Rights Movement, including concerts during the era of Martin Luther King Jr. and appearances at commemorative services for figures like Thurgood Marshall and Rosa Parks. During the late 20th century the choir expanded touring activities aligned with initiatives from United States Information Agency cultural tours and collaborations with ensembles such as the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra.
The ensemble is administered by the Howard University Department of Music within the College of Arts and Sciences (Howard University), coordinated with the School of Divinity (Howard University) for sacred repertoire. Membership draws students from programs in voice, music education, choral conducting, and majors across disciplines, with auditions scheduled each semester by the choral office overseen by the Director of Choral Activities. The choir’s structure features sections modeled on standard SATB voicing, led by section leaders who often study under faculty with ties to institutions such as the Juilliard School, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and Eastman School of Music.
Programming emphasizes a blend of African American spirituals, gospel music, classical music choral literature, contemporary works by composers like Undine Smith Moore, Hall Johnson, and arrangements of pieces by Duke Ellington and William Grant Still. Performances range from liturgical settings at venues like First Baptist Church to concert series featuring major choral works such as Beethoven-era choruses, 20th-century compositions, and premieres of new works commissioned from composers affiliated with Black Arts Movement figures. Stylistically the choir navigates traditions associated with the Black church tradition, academic choral technique linked to conservatories, and crossover collaborations with jazz artists and orchestras.
Milestone appearances include concerts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a performance for a presidential inauguration event associated with Barack Obama, international tours to countries including the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Germany, and festival appearances at events like the Augsburg Bach Festival and the Spoleto Festival USA. The choir has participated in high-profile collaborations with the National Symphony Orchestra, soloists from the Metropolitan Opera, and civic ceremonies at the United States Capitol and commemorations linked to Juneteenth observances.
The ensemble’s recorded legacy includes studio albums, live concert recordings at venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and contributions to compilation projects featuring spirituals and gospel music. Media appearances include broadcasts on National Public Radio, televised specials associated with the Kennedy Center Honors, and archival recordings preserved in collections at the Library of Congress and the Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
Directors have included prominent figures in choral pedagogy and African American musical life, with mentorship ties to educators at Howard University and guest conductors from institutions such as the Curtis Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory. Notable alumni who performed with the choir have gone on to careers at the Metropolitan Opera, in academia at Morehouse College and Spelman College, and as recording artists in gospel music and classical music scenes; alumni have collaborated with performers linked to Mahalia Jackson, Marian Anderson, and producers from major labels.
The ensemble has received institutional honors from Howard University, civic awards from the District of Columbia cultural offices, invitations to perform at nationally significant events such as Presidential inaugurations, and recognition in national media and academic surveys of African American music. The choir’s contributions to preservation of spirituals and choral scholarship have been acknowledged by organizations including the American Choral Directors Association and archival inclusion at the Library of Congress.
Category:Choirs in Washington, D.C. Category:Howard University