University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Music Music 2021 SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON FEMALE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMPOSER EVELYN SIMPSON-CURENTON Iris E. Fordjour-Hankins University of Kentucky, [email protected] Author ORCID Identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6911-9478 Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2021.281 Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Fordjour-Hankins, Iris E., "SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON FEMALE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMPOSER EVELYN SIMPSON-CURENTON" (2021). Theses and Dissertations--Music. 190. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/190 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Music at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Music by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Fordjour-Hankins, Student Dr. Angelique Clay-Everett, Major Professor Dr. Lance Brunner, Director of Graduate Studies SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON FEMALE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMPOSER EVELYN SIMPSON-CURENTON ___________________________________________ DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS PROJECT ___________________________________________ A Doctor of Musical Arts Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Kentucky By Iris Fordjour-Hankins Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Angelique Clay-Everett, Professor of Music Lexington, Kentucky 2021 Copyright © Iris Fordjour-Hankins 2021 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6911-9478 ABSTRACT OF DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS PROJECT SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON FEMALE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMPOSER EVELYN SIMPSON-CURENTON Those who are interested in learning more about Evelyn Simpson-Curenton (b. 1953) will find it challenging to find scholarly material on her life and music. She is best known for her arrangements of spirituals that were sang and recorded by Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman (whose concert recording Spirituals in Concert was released in 1991). Simpson-Curenton is also known for her choral work, “Psalm 91,” made famous by Oakwood University’s Aeolians. Though she is self-published, her absence from compilations, volumes, and anthologies for solo voice and piano is regrettable. This dissertation provides well researched scholarly information about her musical life and contributions. It presents biographical information, a first-person interview, and a descriptive works catalogue for teachers, performers, and research scholars. By highlighting Simpson-Curenton’s work and promoting it, we also actively reckon with the racist past and its exclusion of black voices. The goal of this work is to promote Simpson- Curenton’s music for use by teachers, singers, and coaches. It also works to lift black voices, specifically black female artists, into the spotlight they so deserve. KEYWORDS: Female Composers, Spirituals, Simpson-Curenton, Black Artists Iris Fordjour-Hankins May 28, 2021 SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON FEMALE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMPOSER EVELYN SIMPSON-CURENTON By Iris Fordjour-Hankins Dr. Angelique Clay-Everett Director of Doctor of Musical Arts Project Dr. Lance Brunner Director of Graduate Studies May 28, 2021 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 1 Corinthians 12:9 When I began the pursuit of a doctoral degree in music, I had no idea that the journey would lead me through the most challenging times in my life. I learned, I pursued, I have gained, I have lost, yet I am grateful. Most importantly I have learned in this lesson that God’s grace is sufficient for me. I owe a great deal of gratitude to a number of people. But first I must acknowledge my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I must also remember my mother Gertis Elizabeth Fordjour and my only sister Anna Maria Fordjour Ahmed, and my mother-in-law Gwendolyn Hankins, all of whom I lost in death during this journey; I feel their love every day and I am looking forward to seeing them again in perfection at the day of the Lord’s appearing. Now for those of my family who bring me daily joy I must acknowledge my husband, Ernest Hankins, III; daughter Iman Isabella; son EJ (Ernest Hankins, IV); my father, Isaac Fordjour (Janet); and my brothers Ike, Derrick, and Ricky. I must also acknowledge the love shown me by members of the Burns Seventh-Day Adventist Church family in Detroit, MI, including Vernester Beauchamp and Dr. Gerald Ian Fisher-Curley, and also the Lima Drive Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Lexington, KY. Also, I give thanks to those who taught me the art of singing: Dr. Angelique Clay-Everett, Dr. Everett McCorvey, Dorothy Duensing, Dina Soresi Winter, and Dr. Ginger Beasley. I am grateful for the following people who have invested their time, talents, and resources in me: the late Dr. Pearse Lyons of Alltech, Inc; the late Jeanette Pollard; Dr. Renee Collins, founder of Valley Conservatory and her faculty; Dr. Eurydice Osterman, Dr. Aimee Fincher, Dr. Lloyd Mallory; my students at Oakwood University and Valley Conservatory, and Dr. Leslie Malland, my wonderful editor. Lastly, I am most indebted to Evelyn Simpson- Curenton for allowing me to spend countless hours of time with her in preparing this document. May the beauty of her music be heard for generations to come. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements……………………………………….……………………………...iii Part One Chapter One: Introduction and Background………………………………………………1 Chapter Two: Composer Biography and Interview…………………………………..…...9 2.1: Biographical Information……………………………………………………..9 2.2: Interview with the Composer………………………………………………..12 Chapter Three: Annotated Index with Performance Practices: A Descriptive Works Catalogue………………………………………………………………...28 3.1: Overview and Performance Practices...…...………………………………...28 3.1.1: Overview…..………………………………………………………28 3.1.2: Concert Spirituals…………………………………………………29 3.1.3: Types of Spirituals…..…………………………………………….32 3.1.4: Consideration of Usage of Dialect……..………………………….34 3.1.5: Hymn Arrangements…………..…………………………………..41 3.2: Catalogue and Song Index.………………………………………………….42 3.2.1: The Purpose of this Catalogue…………………………………….42 3.2.2: About these Arrangements………………………………………...43 3.2.3: Voice Categories…………………………………………………..44 3.2.4: Index of Songs…………………………………………………….46 3.2.5: African American Music for the Classical Singer: Spirituals and Hymns……………………………………………………………47 iv 3.2.6: Battle-Norman Arrangements for Voice and Piano: American Negro Spirituals……………………………………………………….….61 3.2.7: Forthcoming Publications: American Negro Spirituals and Hymns……………………………………………………………75 3.2.8: Possible Publications………………………………………...……87 Chapter Four: Persevering Evelyn Simpson-Curenton’s Music…………………………93 Part Two: Program Notes From Spirituals to Art Songs by Black Composers, May 17, 2015…………..…..…….110 From Spirituals to Art Songs by Black Composers, April 17, 2016……………………123 A Chamber Recital, May 3, 2021……………………………………………………….138 Lecture Recital: Shining a Spotlight on Female African American Composer Evelyn Simpson-Curenton, May 19, 2021…………………………………………..…147 Appendices……………………………………………………………………………….97 Appendix A: Score Corrections………………………………………………….97 Appendix B: First Person Interview Continuation……………………………...100 Appendix C: Further Publications……….……………………………………...102 Appendix D: Listing of Music, Recordings, and Websites….………………….104 Appendix E: Photos of the Composer………..…………………………………106 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………149 Vita……………………………………………………………………………………..154 v PART ONE CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND “The black musician has created an entirely new music-in a style peculiarly Afro-American-that today spreads its influence over the entire world. And ever since his arrival in the New World, he has enriched with his contributions the European-based musical