Beyond the Notes: A Celebration of Women Composers from the African Diaspora

Join associate professor of Vocal Arts Christine Anderson and friends for this Beyond the Notes recital of vocal music by women composers of the African diaspora. This program features music of living, award-winning composers Hannah Kendall, Mariela Rodriguez, Mason Bynes, Nkeiru Okoye, and Rosephanye Powell; and works arranged by the late Eva Jessye, the first Black woman to be known internationally as a choral conductor. 

This program pays tribute not only to these creative artists, but also to powerful Black women who came before, including Okoye’s Songs of Harriet Tubman, Powell’s Miss Wheatley’s Garden, named for Phillis Wheatley, America’s first African-American female poet (ca. 1753?–1784), and two settings of “Songs for the People” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825–1911), an abolitionist and poet who was born free and among her other activities worked at Philadelphia’s Underground Railroad station.  

Singers: Serafina Belletini, Paulina Cevallos, Lisa Willson DeNolfo, Kayla Elliott, Megnot Toggia

Pianist: Yoni Levatov 

Light refreshments served. Boyer recital credit given. 

This program will also be live streamed via Zoom Webinar, for those who are unable to attend or prefer a virtual format. Access the live stream here: https://temple.zoom.us/j/95081420287 

Our programs are geared toward a general audience and are open to all, including Temple students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, and friends. Registration is encouraged.