William Grant Still (1895-1978) was the first African-American to have a symphony performed by a major US orchestra (Symphony No. 1-"Afro-American" in 1931), to have an opera performed by a major US opera house (Troubled Island by New York City Opera in 1949), to conduct a major US orchestra (the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra in 1955), and to have an opera performed on television (A Bayou Legend in 1981). His songs have a very American sound, with hints of French harmonies and spirituals.

Our special guest hosts today are baritone Lester Lynch, who balances his international career with teaching at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and composer M. Roger Holland, II, from the University of Denver, who runs The Spirituals Project and composed Ubuntu: I Am Because You Are, premiered by Kantorei (as soon as there is a clip, we will add this to the show notes!).

Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Aliyah Quill, soprano, Solomon Onyukwu, baritone, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist (click on the titles for purchase information):

Songs of Separation:

from the anthology William Grant Still: An Art Song Collection:

Recorded at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.

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So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

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You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree

Aliyah Quill and Solomon Onyukwu are students/graduates of Carnegie Mellon University.

This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.