Spring Break
Soulful pioneers live on in powerful film
Abigal Thienel
Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: Focus
The Dodd Research Center's African American music film series presented a showing on Thursday of the movie "Jubilee Singers: Sacrifice and Glory." The film, a historical documentary, recounts the lives and experiences of nine students at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn.
In 1871, only six years after the civil war, the U.S. was facing changes. The abolition of slavery gave new rights to blacks. Among these opportunities was the ability to attend universities (such as Fisk). These benefits were short-lived once financial problems set in, however. The soulful songs his students sang inspired George White, a missionary, to gather a group of students to begin a choir group at Fisk. White used talent and motivation to reveal the importance of song to the world. All but two of the nine students involved had formerly been slaves, and when singing songs such as "Sweet Chariot," White was convinced people of any race would be moved when they heard the sincerity in their voices.
White took his group, dubbed the Jubilee Singers, and moved north to begin performing. Although they gave concert after concert, with largely positive feedback, little money was raised that could be used to save their ailing university. Not ready to lose hope, White brought his group to New York and performed at Pastor Henry Beecher's church. This performance proved to be a turning point for the Jubilee Singers.
In an interview with musicologist Horace Boyer, White said, "They said you could hear the soft weeping and I'm sure that the Jubilee Singers were joining them in tears, because sometimes when you think about what you are singing, particularly if you believe it, you can't help but be moved."
After becoming a sensation in the United States, the Jubilee singers had to compete with other musical groups. Even with positive feedback from the public, there were still many who were not impressed. The New York World called them "trained monkeys" and other newspapers criticized their efforts. The Jubilee's hope of performing internationally was as much a success as it was in the United States. Performances in Switzerland, Wales, Germany and Holland made the Jubilee Singers internationally famous. Mark Twain commented on the group of young musicians by saying, "I don't know anything else that so moved me, except the Jubilee Singers."
After performing for seven years, raising enough money to fund their school, the Jubilee Singers retired. Some of the original singers have since died from disease or fatigue, but their legacy of inspiring hopes in newly-freed blacks lives on.
In 1871, only six years after the civil war, the U.S. was facing changes. The abolition of slavery gave new rights to blacks. Among these opportunities was the ability to attend universities (such as Fisk). These benefits were short-lived once financial problems set in, however. The soulful songs his students sang inspired George White, a missionary, to gather a group of students to begin a choir group at Fisk. White used talent and motivation to reveal the importance of song to the world. All but two of the nine students involved had formerly been slaves, and when singing songs such as "Sweet Chariot," White was convinced people of any race would be moved when they heard the sincerity in their voices.
White took his group, dubbed the Jubilee Singers, and moved north to begin performing. Although they gave concert after concert, with largely positive feedback, little money was raised that could be used to save their ailing university. Not ready to lose hope, White brought his group to New York and performed at Pastor Henry Beecher's church. This performance proved to be a turning point for the Jubilee Singers.
In an interview with musicologist Horace Boyer, White said, "They said you could hear the soft weeping and I'm sure that the Jubilee Singers were joining them in tears, because sometimes when you think about what you are singing, particularly if you believe it, you can't help but be moved."
After becoming a sensation in the United States, the Jubilee singers had to compete with other musical groups. Even with positive feedback from the public, there were still many who were not impressed. The New York World called them "trained monkeys" and other newspapers criticized their efforts. The Jubilee's hope of performing internationally was as much a success as it was in the United States. Performances in Switzerland, Wales, Germany and Holland made the Jubilee Singers internationally famous. Mark Twain commented on the group of young musicians by saying, "I don't know anything else that so moved me, except the Jubilee Singers."
After performing for seven years, raising enough money to fund their school, the Jubilee Singers retired. Some of the original singers have since died from disease or fatigue, but their legacy of inspiring hopes in newly-freed blacks lives on.
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