By Sandy Kroeker
Title: University of Illinois Black Chorus Records, ca. 1917-2023
ID: 12/5/88
Primary Creator: University of Illinois Black Chorus (1968-)
Other Creators: Ollie Watts Davis (1957-)
Extent: 2.75 cubic feet
Arrangement:
Organized in four series:
Series 1) Black Sacred Music Symposium, ca. 1991-2019 is arranged chronologically.
Series 2) Music, ca. 1917-2011 is arranged chronologically.
Series 3) Administrative Records, ca. 1981-2014 is arranged chronologically.
Series 4) Black Chorus Performances, ca. 1984-2023 is arranged chronologically.
Date Acquired: 12/15/2023
Subjects: Black Chorus, Black Student Association, Black Students, Choirs, Choral music, Choral singing -- Instruction and study, Films, Music, Student Organizations, Student Surveys, University Records, Vocal music
Formats/Genres: Audio-Visual Material, Concert Programs, Newspaper Clippings, Photographs, Posters, Sheet music, Sound Recordings
Consists of music, administrative records, programs, posters, awards, and photographs documenting the activities of the Black Chorus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 1981 to the present.
Founded in 1968, the Black Chorus is a mixed chorus at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Originally organized by four students and later sponsored by the African-American Cultural program and School of Music Choral Division, the mission of the Black Chorus is to promote African-American musical expression. To fulfill this mission, they maintain an active performance schedule, both on and off campus. They also host the Black Sacred Music Symposium biennially at UIUC, a conference dedicated to the study and performance of Black sacred music traditions.
In addition to performing at various colleges and universities throughout the country, the Black Chorus has performed at the National Black Gospel College Choir Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia; they have performed with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra and as special guests at an Orchestra Hall concert in Chicago. They perform the music of Black Americans, including Negro spirituals, anthems, formal music, traditional and contemporary gospel, jazz, and rhythm and blues. Dr. Ollie Watts Davis has been the conductor of the Black Chorus since 1981.
Black Chorus
Black Student Association
Black Students
Choirs
Choral music
Choral singing -- Instruction and study
Films
Music
Student Organizations
Student Surveys
University Records
Vocal music
Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Acquisition Source: Ollie Watts Davis
Acquisition Method: Transfer
Related Materials: See also Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center Subject File RS 41/12/18.