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Will the Circle Be Unbroken?: The Sacred Music of the African American Diaspora

Exhibit 05- Don Lee White case

This case features the life and works of noted composer, conductor, and arranger Don Lee White. Among his many achievements, White was the music minister at Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church for almost 40 years and the founder of the dlw Community Chorale. Part of the "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" exhibit at California State University Dominguez Hills. Photo by Beth McDonald, February 2020.

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1. Exhibit 05- Don Lee White case This case features the life and works of noted composer, conductor, and arranger Don Lee White. Among his many achievements, White was the music minister at Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church for almost 40 years and the founder of the dlw Community Chorale. Part of the "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" exhibit at California State University Dominguez Hills. Photo by Beth McDonald, February 2020.
2. Exhibit 02- The Legacy of the Fisk Jubilee Singers The tradition of the concert spiritual – a more formal, arranged version of the songs sung by slaves – began with the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The popularity of the Fisk Singers and the warm reception of their music inspired other choirs to follow in their footsteps. The concert spiritual tradition continues at many historically black colleges, churches, and community choirs today. African American composers, past and present, who are masters of the concert spiritual include John Wesley Work, Jr. R. Nathaniel Dett, Hall Johnson, Jester Hairston, and Moses Hogan. Part of the "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" exhibit at California State University Domniguez Hills. Photo by Beth McDonald, February 2020.
4. Exhibit 03- Gospel Roots case The church has been a center of African American life since the earliest congregations were established in the 1700s and has also often been the center of the community’s musical traditions. This legacy was brought to California by ministers who arrived in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries from states that had strong African-American communities steeped in the musical culture of the African diaspora. Part of the "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" exhibit at California State University Dominguez Hills. Photo by Beth McDonald, February 2020.
5. Exhibit 08 - Jester Hairston
6. Exhibit 09- The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers Part 1
7. Exhibit 07- The Evolution of African American Music This case contains books and albums that record a wide cross section of African American music and the musicians who popularized them from spirituals through gospel, ragtime, jazz, and modern pop. The artists in this case were trailbreakers for the musicians that came after them, making music so extraordinary it was impossible to ignore, regardless of race. Many of the modern variations of these genres are made up of earlier forms that have been merged and remixed, creating new styles for old stories. Part of the "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" exhibit at California State University Dominguez Hills. Photo by Beth McDonald, February 2020.
8. Exhibit 14- Hansonia Caldwell
9. Exhibit 04- Women and Worship case African American women have always been significant contributors to sacred music in all arenas from composition to performance, though their accomplishments are sometimes overshadowed by their male counterparts. In studying their achievements as part of a larger whole, we can truly celebrate and appreciate the scope of the impact that they have had. These women rewrote the songbook of African American sacred music, changing the musical landscape and leaving a legacy for future generations. Part of the "will the Circle Be Unbroken" exhibit at California State University Dominguez Hills. Photo by Beth McDonald, February 2020.
11. Exhibit 13- Songs of the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman
12. Exhibit 12 - Albert McNeil case Side 2
13. Exhibit 11 - Albert McNeil case Side 1
14. Exhibit 15 - Hansonia Caldwell
15. Exhibit 10- The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers Part 2

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Don Lee White Don Lee White was born in Los Angeles, CA, on October 25, 1926 and attended both Los Angeles City College and California State University, Los Angeles before earning his Master’s degree in Music in 1958 from the University of Southern California (USC) where he majored in Church Music. White completed graduate work towards his doctorate in Musical Arts at both USC and Stanford University, and was given an honorary doctorate in 1984 by the University of Monrovia, West Africa. In his early career, he served as organist for New Hope Baptist Church before accepting the position as college organist and Professor of Music at Prairie View A. & M. for five years. Upon his return to Los Angeles he taught organ, piano, choral music, conducting and music appreciation at California State University, Los Angeles for 27 years.

White also served as the organist and musical director of the Grant African Methodist Church, Los Angeles, for over 38 years. Under his leadership, the Grant A.M.E. adult choir achieved national recognition for their musical versatility. Under his leadership, the adult choir of Grant A.M.E. Church gained substantial recognition for their versatility in music and professional performances throughout the United States and has several recordings. White also served as director of music for the Southern California Conference Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Church for 15 years and served eight years as associate director for the Connectional Music Department for the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1988, White took a leave of absence from Grant A.M.E. and organized the D.L.W. Community Chorale, whose purpose is to perform the extended compositions of African American composers. White preferred anthems, cantatas, and opera, saying “The smooth performance of the classical sacred music is something the musicians of today should strive to keep alive and valued for future generations”. White was an active member in many music organizations, among them the National Association of Negro Musicians and the American Chorale Directors Association. In addition he was often requested to give lectures and workshops across the country.

In 2008, White was inducted as a "Living Legend" into the California State University Dominguez Hills Georgia and Nolan Payton Archive of African Diaspora Sacred Music and Musicians (ADSMM). He passed away on September 16, 2010. Explore the Don Lee White Collection.