Sacred Sound

The Westminster Jubilee Singers celebrate 10 years of performing African-American classical music.

By:Susan Van Dongen
   One Princeton-based ensemble has been making a joyful noise for 10 years and now its alumni are starting to make some noise of their own.
   The Westminster Jubilee Singers of Westminster Choir College of Rider University was launched in 1995 and will celebrate its 10th anniversary Nov. 4 at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton. In addition to contemporary music by African-American composers, the concert will also showcase the star quality of two very special alumni — soprano Laquita Mitchell, a rising talent in the opera world, and American Idol finalist Anwar Robinson.
   Mr. Robinson, a 2001 Westminster graduate, won over audiences with his renditions of everything from Marvin Gaye to "Moon River." Settling down at his office in New York after the whirlwind American Idol finalists’ tour, he reflected on his opportunities at Westminster, especially with the Jubilee Singers.
   A teacher, pianist and composer as well as vocalist, Mr. Robinson says he had been listening and performing all kinds of music since childhood. He was well aware of the breadth of classical literature written by African-American composers when he came to college, but says that interest was rejuvenated at Westminster.
   "I also got a taste of the more contemporary composers like Adolphus Hailstork and Moses Hogan," Mr. Robinson says. "I feel privileged to be exposed to that and (Conductor J. Donald Dumpson) was instrumental in making sure that took place constantly. Being in the Jubilee Singers taught me to take responsibility and ownership of an art form and a way of communicating. The music also helped me discover my identity, inside and outside of Westminster."
   Mr. Dumpson says seeing Mr. Robinson’s success is especially rewarding since, as a student, he was part of the Educational Opportunities Program at Westminster, which opens doors for minority youths to have access to higher education.
   "Anwar had tremendous talent and was very bright, but there were also financial challenges he had to deal with," Mr. Dumpson says. "So here’s someone who has evolved from that to (stardom) on ‘American Idol,’ as well as being an educator in the New Jersey school system. Now he’s a part of the Educational Opportunities board. His story is an extraordinary example of reaching out and helping a person and, in turn, they reach back and help others."
   "I’ve been a member of the board since the fall of 2001," Mr. Robinson says. "Right after I graduated, I was asked to join and I hopped to the opportunity. I wanted to support the incentives that ensure all children in all areas get the same opportunities I’ve had.
   "Someone reached out to me and told me about Westminster," he continues. "So I thought I needed to do the same for gifted children who want to make music a way of life, as opposed to something that’s just a hobby."
   Mr. Dumpson says Ms. Mitchell has also done extraordinary things with her musical gifts.
   "She’s doing ‘Porgy and Bess,’ playing the role of Clara with the Washington National Opera and last spring sang the role of Mimi in ‘La Boheme’ with the Cincinnati Opera," he says.
   Ms. Mitchell was also the recipient of the 2004 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Grand Prize.
   But the group is not just a training ground for stars. Mr. Dumpson says he’s most passionate about being able to bridge a musical culture gap through the Jubilee Singers, especially with minority students.
   "Many of the students come with a background in R&B or gospel, so connecting them with classical music can be a culture shock," he says. "But the Jubilee Singers provide a medium to being to able to embrace new music. It’s a kind of music that connects with the emotions. Students can work on expressiveness and their individuality can step forward in a way you can’t always find in other literature. They can really share their talents with the audience and they can connect with the audience’s emotions as well."
   The group is peopled with vocalists from all races, Mr. Dumpson says. He’s also quick to point out that, even though the emphasis is on African-American music, it’s not a gospel choir.
   "We do works by composers such as William Grant Still, in fact we did one of his works titled ‘And They Lynched Him on a Tree,’" Mr. Dumpson says. "It’s a powerful piece and an excellent example of choral literature written by an African-American composer and definitely not gospel."
   Highlights of the Jubilee Singers’ recent seasons include performing two Hannibal Lokumbe pieces with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra — "African Portraits" and the world premiere of "God, Mississippi and a Man Called Evers." In addition, the ensemble appeared at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Orchestra in a concert version of Porgy and Bess.
   The Jubilee Singers have recently performed at the Apollo Theater in New York as part of the Children’s Defense Fund’s 30th anniversary. They also teamed up with Penn State University’s Essence of Joy ensemble in a joint concert tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That’s in addition to concert tours of New England and the Mid-Atlantic States.
   The anniversary concert features a new set of spirituals arranged by African-American composer Nathaniel Dett.
   "We also have works arranged by Jester Hairston, who played the old man on the show TV show ‘Amen,’" Mr. Dumpson says. "In addition to being a character actor, he was a prolific composer and arranger of spirituals. Then we’ll close the evening out with some foot-stomping gospel."
   Founded by Mr. Dumpson, a member of the college’s Sacred Music Department, he envisioned that the Jubilee Singers would help support, teach and perform African-American classical music. The group has been critically praised for its bold explorations into the literature as well as its technical virtuosity.
   In addition to teaching, Mr. Dumpson is minister of music at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia as well as president of the entertainment production company J. Donald Dumpson Productions. As a keyboardist, composer and arranger, he’s collaborated with an array of musicians, such as Charles Dutoit, Bobby McFerrin, Patti LaBelle and Cab Calloway.
   Leading the Jubilee Singers is most meaningful to him, however, because the group nurtures a new generation of musical talent.
   "One of the best parts of the ensemble is its role in retention of minority students at Westminster, and that’s always been very important to me," Mr. Dumpson says. "When African-American and Latino students come to Westminster, there’s an ensemble for them, there’s music they can connect with, music that has a sense of familiarity. This ensemble definitely plays this role.
   "What’s most important to me is to be able to communicate the beautiful cultural rainbow that comes through the sounds of the Jubilee Singers," he continues. "This wonderful music has the power to bring people together."
The Westminster Jubilee Singers present their 10th Anniversary Concert at Richardson Auditorium, Princeton, Nov. 4, 8 p.m., conducted by J. Donald Dumpson, with guest appearances by Laquita Mitchell and Anwar Robinson. Tickets cost $15-$50. For information, call (609) 258-5000. On the Web: www.westminster.rider.edu