Choral Music by Afro-American Composers: A Selected, Annotated Bibliography

Abstract

Lists and describes approximately 1,600 published and unpublished choral works by more than 100 African-American composers and arrangers, 600 more works than the first edition. Many of these works, representing all styles from simple four-part settings to avant-garde pieces, have not been performed before because of the difficulty in locating them. White's bibliography provides a useful tool for busy conductors wishing to perform music by African-American composers, and serves as an incentive to choral conductors to program little-known composers as well as unknown works by established musicians. Arrangement is by composer. Entries list number of pages; voicing and solo requirements; vocal ranges; degree of difficulty; a cappella or type of accompaniment; publishers; and catalog number. Also included are a title index; a listing of selected collections of Negro spirituals; biographical sketches of African-American composers and arrangers; and three appendixes: selected source readings, selected discography, and addresses of publishers and composers.