Join Westminster Choir College for their annual Celebration of Black Music festival for a vibrant celebration of African American choral traditions, featuring powerful concerts, enlightening lectures, and captivating recitals. Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of music and culture as we honor the legacy and future of black choral artistry.

Schedule of Events:

March 2, 2025

9:30 a.m. – Adult Education Session with Thula Sizwe

10:30 a.m. – Thula Sizwe Service Participation
Join the members of Thula Sizwe as the participate in the service at Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

4 p.m. – Thula Sizwe Concert
Join the members of Thula Sizwe for a concert at Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

March 3, 2025

3:20 p.m. – Organ Masterclass
Westminster offers the opportunity to observe the development of our organ students in coaching sessions with Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs.
Location: Gill Chapel

7 p.m. – Organ Recital featuring Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs
Admission is FREE for this event. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Location: Gill Chapel

March 4, 2025

1:10 p.m. – Lecture: Music and Social Justice with Dr. Felicia Barber
Co-sponsored by Rider University’s Baccalaureate Honors Program.

Location: The Mike and Patti Hennessy Science and Technology Center Room 102

4:30 p.m. – Conducting Masterclass with Dr. Felicia Barber
Westminster offers the opportunity to observe the development of graduate student conductors and choirs in coaching sessions with renowned conductor Dr. Felicia Barber.

Location: Gill Chapel

March 5, 2025

9 a.m. – High School Choral Invitational
A look into Westminster's High School Choral Invitational with guest clinician Dr. Felicia Barber featuring performances by Westminster Choir and Thula Sizwe, The Group Zulu from South Africa

Location: Gill Chapel

3:20 p.m. – Voice Masterclass with Rochelle Ellis
Westminster offers the opportunity to observe a voice masterclass under the direction of Dr. Rochelle Ellis.

Location: Student Recreation Center Seminar Room

March 6, 2025

9 a.m. – High School Choral Invitational
A look into Westminster's High School Choral Invitational with guest clinician Dr. Rosephanye Powell featuring performances by Westminster Choir and Thula Sizwe, The Group Zulu from South Africa

Location: Gill Chapel

11:30 a.m. – Lecture: Dialect in Negro Spirituals with Dr. Felicia Barber
The Department of Music Studies hosts Dr. Felicia Barber for their weekly forum–where expert speakers and passionate scholars explore and discuss the latest insights and trends in the field.

Location: Lynch Adler Hall Room 202

1:10 p.m. – Lecture: Cultural Appropriation with Thula Sizwe
Location: Lynch Adler Hall Room 202

4:30 p.m. – Jubilee Singers Rehearsal with Dr. Rosephanye Powell
Westminster offers the opportunity to observe a rehearsal with Westminster Jubilee Singers under the direction of internationally renowned composer Dr. Rosephanye Powell.

Location: Gil Chapel

March 8, 2025

9 a.m. – Professional Development Session with Thula Sizwe
Theme: The Loose Thread: Navigating the Complexities of Cultural Appropriation in Music and Education
Led by: Lee Saville-Iksic
Musical guests: Thula Sizwe, The Group Zulu from South Africa

Cost to register: $25

Location: FIne Arts Center Room 110

2 p.m. – Community Sing with Thula Sizwe
Location: Yvonne Theater

7:30 p.m. – Songs for the Journey
With a Pre-concert talk with Rosephanye Powell and Vinroy D. Brown Jr. beginning at 7 p.m.

This concert will feature the works of Dr. Rosephanye Powell and The Song of Haiwatha, Op. 30 (Coleridge-Taylor)

Performers:
Westminster Jubilee Singers
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Pine Forge Academy Choir

Location: Yvonne Theater

March 9, 2025

9:15 a.m. & 11 a.m. – Thula Sizwe Service Participation
Join the members of Thula Sizwe as the participate in the service at Nassau Presbyterian Church. This event is open to the public.

Location: Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542

2:30 p.m. – Thula Sizwe Concert
Join the members of Thula Sizwe for a concert at Nassau Presbyterian Church. This event is open to the public.

Location: Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Date: March 2 - 9, 2025

Location: Various Venues in NJ, USA

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