The Art of the Spiritual

This brief guidebook for classical singers and those (of any culture) who love the Spiritual explains the use of interpretive elements, modes of delivery, colloquial dialect, cultural and historical considerations, and artful variation that can help bring Spirituals to life on the concert stage. Spirituals are religious/inspirational songs, born during slavery or a related successive period, and designed to express heartfelt emotions or to uplift, motivate, or share information with a group. Many Spiritual melodies originated during slavery, but only became widely known or sung during the latter parts of the 19th century when various composers (white and black) began arranging them for the public and concert stage. For clarity and authenticity, this work gives musical examples and key quotes from acclaimed arrangers and presenters of this music. It should help all classical singers feel comfortable interpreting this national treasure, this wonderful genre of song called the Spiritual, in ways that are both traditional and personal