African-American women composers remain largely unknown despite their important musical contributions. Active in the United States since the late-19th century, several gained national and international recognition during their lifetimes, only to have their work neglected after their deaths. From Spirituals to Symphonies is a unique, extensively researched examination of the history and scope of musical composition by African-American women, focusing on the implications of race, gender, and class for their musical creativity, and demonstrating how this important, underappreciated category of American art was shaped by the unique individual personalities of its participants. Their particular times, communities, families, racial heritages, economic circumstances, education, and musical training were all brought to bear on their music, and author Helen Walker-Hill challenges the assumption that black women's only important musical contributions have been in folk, jazz, and pop. With unprecedented detail, she charts the lives and the output of a group of artists whose work has gone unnoticed for too many years.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Piano scholar Walker-Hill (Piano Music by Black Women Composers) presents an accessible, thoughtful, and humanist study of African American women composers who, for the most part, have been ignored by historians. Readers are introduced to Undine Smith Moore (1904-89), Julia Perry (1924-79), Margaret Bonds (1913-72), Irene Britton Smith (1907-99), Dorothy Rudd Moore (1940-), Valerie Capers (1935-), Mary Watkins (1939-), and Regina Harris (1956-), as well as the 20th-century social milieu in which they worked. Frankly examining race and gender issues and individual challenges, such as blindness or being adopted, the author, who conducted interviews with many of the composers and their families, also discusses the music of each woman at length in appreciative, nontechnical language. Detailed works lists and an appendix enumerating other black women composers add reference value; opening and concluding overview chapters supply historical context and big-picture views. Besides Mildred Denby Green's groundbreaking Black Women Composers: A Genesis (1983), which focuses more on the music than on the women themselves and includes musical analyses and examples, there aren't other books on this subject. Public and academic libraries, then, would do well to acquire this study. Bonnie Jo Dopp, Univ. of Maryland Libs., College Park
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Review
“This excellent and beautifully produced publication will immediately interest those working in music history and women's studies. It is an exemplary study of significant composers born between 1904 and 1956....This essential book will be a significant addition to general collections and to academic collections at all levels.”–Choice
“...presents an accesible, thoughtful, and humanist study of African American women composers...Public and academic libraries would do well to acquire this study.”–Library Journal
“Walker-Hill reveals an important side of American musical history which has been previously underpresented.”–Religious Studies Review
“Piano scholar Walker-Hill....[p]resents am accessible, thoughtful, and humanist study of African American women composers who, for the most part, have been ignored by historians....Besides Mildred Denby Green's groundbreaking Black Women Composers:A Genisis(1983), which focuses more on the music than on the women themselves and includes musical analysis and examples, there aren't other books on this subject. Public and academic libraries, then, would do well to acquire this study.”–Library Journal
“In this unique historical music reference tool the author explores an area where little, if any, investigation has been done...This reference tool is priceless in that it serves a dual role. It provides recognition to a group of unsung heroines for their musical gifts, skills, and talent, and it serves as a valuable, user-friendly resource and reference in a highly specialized area of American music composition. The author should be commended for her diligence in bringing recognition to such and important group of artists.”–Multicultural Review
“Helen Walker Hill's new book is the result of half a lifetime's work...Evidence of the integrity and thoroughness of her effort leaps from virtually every page of this monumental, yet practical, volume. From Spirituals to Symphonies deserves a place in many collections, from public libraries and school shelves to research universities...that will make this a standard work for years to come.”–Journal of the Music Library Association
“...a must-read. Whether you are interested in providing students with some background information on a famous composer, nurturing interactive reading or creating a music appreciation lesson, this book stands above many other children's books about music because of its readability, historically accurate information and distinctive illustrations.”–American Music Teacher
“...an exemplary reference work...thoroughly absorbing to read...”–Journal of the IAWM
“This volume explores the history and scope of musical composition by African-American women, with a focus on the implications of race, gender, and class for their musical creativity....Of interest to the academic and the general reader.”–Reference & Research Book News
“...presents an accesible, thoughtful, and humanist study of African American women composers...Public and academic libraries would do well to acquire this study.”–
“Walker-Hill reveals an important side of American musical history which has been previously underpresented.”–
“Piano scholar Walker-Hill....[p]resents am accessible, thoughtful, and humanist study of African American women composers who, for the most part, have been ignored by historians....Besides Mildred Denby Green's groundbreaking Black Women Composers:A Genisis(1983), which focuses more on the music than on the women themselves and includes musical analysis and examples, there aren't other books on this subject. Public and academic libraries, then, would do well to acquire this study.”–
“In this unique historical music reference tool the author explores an area where little, if any, investigation has been done...This reference tool is priceless in that it serves a dual role. It provides recognition to a group of unsung heroines for their musical gifts, skills, and talent, and it serves as a valuable, user-friendly resource and reference in a highly specialized area of American music composition. The author should be commended for her diligence in bringing recognition to such and important group of artists.”–
“Helen Walker Hill's new book is the result of half a lifetime's work...Evidence of the integrity and thoroughness of her effort leaps from virtually every page of this monumental, yet practical, volume. From Spirituals to Symphonies deserves a place in many collections, from public libraries and school shelves to research universities...that will make this a standard work for years to come.”–
“...a must-read. Whether you are interested in providing students with some background information on a famous composer, nurturing interactive reading or creating a music appreciation lesson, this book stands above many other children's books about music because of its readability, historically accurate information and distinctive illustrations.”–
“...an exemplary reference work...thoroughly absorbing to read...”–
“This volume explores the history and scope of musical composition by African-American women, with a focus on the implications of race, gender, and class for their musical creativity....Of interest to the academic and the general reader.”–
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Reference book of overlooked Composers...A true Diamond!,
By Mizzmoon7 "Mizzmoon 7" (Atlanta, Ga.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: From Spirituals to Symphonies: African-American Women Composers and Their Music (Paperback)
This book is fantastic. Helen Walker-Hill does another great job of publishing a work about African American Women composers. The book also contains never before seen photos and detailed biographical information about the composers. This book is a gem!
This book goes great with African American Women Composers: A century of Music, edited by Helen Walker-Hill.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love this book!,
By AfroAmericanHeritage (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
This review is from: From Spirituals to Symphonies: African-American Women Composers and Their Music (Paperback)
I love this book! While the research is scholarly, the writing is fluid and compelling, devoid of academic lingo which might otherwise frighten off those who are not students of music. I felt like I really got to know each of the composers here personally, and the book prompted me to track down their music online. I have a list of sources at my website, AfroAmericanHeritage dot com This is an essential work providing a historical overview plus a closer look at the life and works of Undine Smith Moore (1904-1989) Julia Perry (1924-1979) Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) Irene Britton Smith (1907-1999) Dorothy Rudd Moore (b.1940) Valerie Capers (b.1935) Mary Watkins (b. 1939) and Regina Harris Baiocchi (b. 1956). Despite having gained national and international recognition during their lifetimes, the contributions of many of these women are forgotten today. Includes a selected list of composers and a selected Bibliography/Discography. Recommended to anyone interested in Music History, African American and/or Women's Studies.
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black women composers, black woman composer, fifteenth chord, spiritual arrangements, black classical music, black composers, see discography, piano etudes, dissonant counterpoint, black idioms, holding scores, college choir, spiritual melody, woodwind quintet, composing career, thirteenth chords, jazz harmonies, raging rapids Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Langston Hughes, Margaret Bonds, Undine Smith Moore, United States, Julia Perry, Helen Walker-Hill, Valerie Capers, Virginia State College, Los Angeles, Stabat Mater, Bryn Mawr, Florence Price, Kermit Moore, Sing About Love, African Americans, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Town Hall, Harlem Renaissance, Indiana University, Martin Luther King, American Conservatory, Ballad of the Brown King, Harold Washington Library, Westminster Choir College New!
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black women composers, black woman composer, fifteenth chord, spiritual arrangements, black classical music, black composers, see discography, piano etudes, dissonant counterpoint, black idioms, holding scores, college choir, spiritual melody, woodwind quintet, composing career, thirteenth chords, jazz harmonies, raging rapids Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Langston Hughes, Margaret Bonds, Undine Smith Moore, United States, Julia Perry, Helen Walker-Hill, Valerie Capers, Virginia State College, Los Angeles, Stabat Mater, Bryn Mawr, Florence Price, Kermit Moore, Sing About Love, African Americans, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Town Hall, Harlem Renaissance, Indiana University, Martin Luther King, American Conservatory, Ballad of the Brown King, Harold Washington Library, Westminster Choir College New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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