Will the Circle Be Unbroken?: The Sacred Music of the African American DiasporaMain MenuWill the Circle Be Unbroken? The Sacred Music of the African American DiasporaEnter the ExhibitWhat is African American Sacred Music?From Spirituals to SoulSongs of the Underground RailroadThe Legacy of the Fisk Jubilee SingersWomen and WorshipMusic of the Revolution: Sacred Music and ProtestGospel Roots: African American Churches in Los AngelesAlbert J. McNeilThe Albert McNeil Jubilee SingersJester HairstonDon Lee WhiteHansonia CaldwellOpening the ExhibitWhat’s a Music Exhibit without the music?Take an audio journey through the CSUDH Sacred Music Archives collectionsSign our Guest Book!Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda24Gerth Archives and Special Collections, California State University Dominguez Hills
Gospel Singers stamps from the USPS Legends of American Music series
1media/gospel stamps_thumb.jpg2020-05-05T13:42:29-07:00Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda24373081In 1998, the United States Postal Service honored four great women of Gospel with a special series of stamps. Included were Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Roberta Martin, and Clara Ward.plain2020-05-05T13:42:29-07:00Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda24
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1media/IMG_20200130_105956153.jpg2020-04-28T14:14:48-07:00Women and Worship18timeline2020-05-06T13:40:47-07:00African American women have been a crucial part of African American sacred music, playing pivotal roles in the advancement of everything from composition to performance. They have also lent their gifts and leadership skills to their churches. Aside from music composition, many of these gifted and accomplished women have held prominent positions within the church, serving as choir directors, ministers of music, organists, pianists, and even ministers. These are just some of the most prominent and influential African American women who have impacted the growth and evolution of sacred music, many of whom have ties to Los Angeles and its sacred music traditions. They have each influenced and been influenced by each other and 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.
