“Will the Circle Be Unbroken – The Sacred Music of the African Diaspora”

Feb 9, 2020 – I attended exhibit, celebrations, and performances at the CSUDH Gerth Archives and Special Collections and the Georgia and Nolan Payton Sacred Music Archive titled Will the Circle Be Unbroken -The Sacred Music of the African Diaspora-curated by Beth McDonald and Greg Williams at CSUDH Library Cultural Arts Center. The gospel music exhibit and archive is an invaluable resource. The program celebrated Sallyanne Payton founding sponsor of the African Diaspora Sacred Music and Musicians program and the Georgia and Nolan Payton Archive of Sacred Music), Dr. Hansonia Caldwell (professor emeritus of music at CSUDH, pianist, choral director, author) and 100th birthday of Albert McNeil (choral conductor, ethnomusicologist, author, professor emeritus of Music at University of California, Davis, founder of Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers.

Soprano Marlaina Owens opened the program with two songs and The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers shared a mini concert. The exhibit will be open at least until August 2020 at California State University Dominguez Hills Library-Cultural Arts Center (CSUDH LIB). See pic 1 Dr. Albert McNeil and 100th birthday cake. pic 2 robe worn by Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers during 1970 International tour that included performance at Church of All Nations in Jerusalem, Israel.

See pic 1 Dr. Albert McNeil and 100th birthday cake. pic 2 robe worn by Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers during 1970 International tour that included performance at Church of All Nations in Jerusalem, Israel.