Afrocentric Voices Radio

Welcome to Afrocentric Voices Radio!

You will hear a range of Classical music often missed by traditional Classical music stations. There are recordings of vocal music by historical African American composers like William Grant Still and H. T. Burleigh and vocalists such as Marian Anderson and Paul Robeson. There are also performances of works by contemporary composers such as Anthony Davis and George Walker and singers Denyce Graves, Lawrence Brownlee, Florence Quivar and Darryl Taylor. And, of course, you will hear great vocalists, including Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, Shirley Verrett, Grace Bumbry, Kathleen Battle and others who have achieved international success.

Whether operas, oratorios or art songs, whether accompanied by single instrument or large ensemble, the recordings share the common presence of the glorious solo voice.

Each day from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Central Time, you will hear selections focusing on a specific theme:

Sunday - The Art of the Negro Spiritual
The beauty of this American folk song performed in concert format


Monday - Festival of Song
Secular art songs by African American vocalists and composers

Tuesday - Oh, Pioneers
Vocalists who helped establish an African American presence in the world of classical music

Wednesday - Present Company Accepted
Vocalists from the later half of the 20th Century to today

Thursday - Gentlemen’s Agreement
From countertenor to bass, African American vocalists sing opera, art song and oratorio

Friday - Big Hand for the Ladies
From coloratura to contralto, African American vocalists sing opera, art song and oratorio

Saturday - It Ain’t Art Song!
Excerpts from opera, oratorio, requiems, and theater performed by African American classical vocalists

Sunday mornings are filled with Sacred Sounds from 8:00 until 11:00 a.m. CDT. African vocalists lift up historical and contemporary music from the Christian tradition.

If you have suggestions for a theme or recordings to feature, contact Randye Jones at rljones@afrovoices.com.

New Recordings

These recordings have been just been added to the Afrocentric Voices Radio collection and will be heard in the near future:

• Inez Matthews * Bach B Minor Mass
• Roland Hayes * The Art of Roland Hayes
• Vinson Cole * Vinson Cole, Tenor

If you would like to donate a commercially produced classical recording featuring solo vocal music performed or composed by an African American, I would be happy to consider it for addition to the station's playlist. Please send donations to: PO Box 281, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Now on Twitter!! Visit http://twitter.com/singin1.