Thanks for your patience during our recent outage at scalar.usc.edu. While Scalar content is loading normally now, saving is still slow, and Scalar's 'additional metadata' features have been disabled, which may interfere with features like timelines and maps that depend on metadata. This also means that saving a page or media item will remove its additional metadata. If this occurs, you can use the 'All versions' link at the bottom of the page to restore the earlier version. We are continuing to troubleshoot, and will provide further updates as needed. Note that this only affects Scalar projects at scalar.usc.edu, and not those hosted elsewhere.
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 SingersMusic 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
Women and Worship
1media/IMG_20200130_105956153.jpg2020-04-28T14:14:48-07:00Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda243730818timeline2020-05-06T13:40:47-07:00Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda24African 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.
1media/Undine Smith Moore_thumb.png2020-04-29T13:01:10-07:00Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda24Undine Smith Moore2media/Undine Smith Moore.pngplain2020-05-05T14:38:29-07:00Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda24
1media/Margaret Pleasant Douroux_thumb.png2020-04-29T12:36:20-07:00Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda24Margaret Pleasant Douroux2media/Margaret Pleasant Douroux.pngplain2020-05-05T14:27:51-07:00Beth McDonald16200cb3d5a875b72f65508a603e1bfceb2cda24
1media/IMG_20200130_105956153_thumb.jpg2020-04-30T14:43:35-07:00Exhibit 04- Women and Worship case3African 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.media/IMG_20200130_105956153.jpgplain2020-05-01T13:00:25-07:00
1media/art songs women composers_thumb.jpg2020-05-05T13:29:15-07:00Art Songs and Spirituals by African American Women Composers by Vivian Thomas2From the Hansonia Caldwell Collection, Gerth Archives and Special Collections, CSU Dominguez Hills.media/art songs women composers.jpgplain2020-05-05T15:01:29-07:00
1media/blues legacies and black feminism_thumb.jpg2020-05-05T13:30:03-07:00Blues Legacies and Black Feminism, by Angela Y. Davis.1From the Hansonia Caldwell Collection, Gerth Archives and Special Collections, CSU Dominguez Hills.media/blues legacies and black feminism.jpgplain2020-05-05T13:30:03-07:00
1media/gospel stamps_thumb.jpg2020-05-05T13:42:29-07:00Gospel Singers stamps from the USPS Legends of American Music series1In 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.media/gospel stamps.jpgplain2020-05-05T13:42:29-07:00
1media/Songs of the Roberta Martin Singers_thumb.jpg2020-05-05T14:56:28-07:00Songs of the Roberta Martin Singers, Volume 11Songs of the Roberta Martin Singers, Volume 1, published 1951. From the Hansonia Caldwell Collection, Gerth Archives and Special Collections, CSU Dominguez Hills.media/Songs of the Roberta Martin Singers.jpgplain2020-05-05T14:56:28-07:00
1media/jaqH and iris_thumb.jpg2020-05-05T15:51:39-07:00Jacqueline Hairston (left) and Iris Stevenson (right)1The African Diaspora Sacred Music and Musicians program’s Living Legends Festival has honored many notable women in sacred music. Left: Jacqueline Hairston performs in 2004. Right: Iris Stevenson was honored in 2009. Both images from the Hansonia Caldwell Collection, Gerth Archives and Special Collections, CSU Dominguez Hills.media/jaqH and iris.jpgplain2020-05-05T15:51:39-07:00