Shades of Black is a song cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano depicting adversities and triumphs African Americans experienced throughout history. The text of the song cycle was written by African American poet, Lucille Clifton. I incorporated five of her poems into the composition. The adapted poems include: Slaveships, Harriet, From Dark Nursery Rhymes for a Dark Daughter, Black Women, and Listen Children. 

The first song, Slaveships, relates to the horrific journey Africans experienced while they were enslaved at sea. The second song, Harriet, relates to Lucille Clifton’s admiration for the heroic, brave black women, Harriet Tubman, Isabell ( Sojourner Truth), and her grandmother. The third song, From Dark Nursery Rhymes for a Dark Daughter, is about one of the haunting struggles of “flesh colored” objects not matching black people’s skin. The fourth movement, Black Women, relates to black women not being able to embrace their femininity/womanhood. The final movement, Listen Children, is about black people loving and appreciating themselves.

"Harriet" and "From Dark Nursery Rhymes for a Dark Daughter" have not be performed/recorded so midi adaptations are used.

Performers: Lauren Sarkela and Colleen Allard-Smith

"From Dark Nursery Rhymes for a Dark Daughter" (midi) - Shades of Black

"Slaveships" - Shades of Black

Maria is a sacred SATB choral work that draws inspiration from the painting Enigma (2015) by Michael Cheval. The portrait represents the debate of whether human characteristics are developed from either inherited genetics, nature, or environmental influences, nurture. To accurately portray this debate, a single motive will be shifted and transformed multiple times until it blossoms to the climatic point. The single motive will symbolize nature, while the alterations of the motive will symbolize nurture. The text, a Gregorian chant praising Virgin Mary, is used to honor the well known birth and development of Jesus Christ. 

Performers: Libby Hammilton, Elizabeth Santi, Salleigh Harvey, Abby Magoola, Matthew Gavilanez, Ethan Durham, CJ Waldrop, Lauren Sarkela, and Vivian Hamilton

Maria - Willie Cornish Jr.

The Olive Tree is a sacred SATB choral work based on Psalm 52:8 (NAS). The text explains the feeling of being strong and secure while in the presence of the Lord. The choir represents the tree being firmly planted into the earth. Meanwhile, the piano represents God's continuous and unconditional love blowing through its branches, like the wind.

There are two versions of this piece. Version A is the original and Version B is the shortened.

The Olive Tree - Version B (Shortened)

The Olive Tree - Version A (original)

This is a string quartet accompaniment arrangement for Offenbach's "Barcarolle" from Les Contes d’Hoffmann. The voice parts have not been altered. 

Performers: Christian Casiano, Natasia Simmons, Jay Bloodsworth, Ryan Singer. 
Singers: Wallis Lucas and Addison Ballew

Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann String Quartet Arrangement - Willie Cornish Jr.

Composer, Arranger, and music lover.
Furman University '22
University of Michigan '24
-To view/purchase sheet music or to know more, visit: www.williecornishjr.com

"From Dark Nursery Rhymes for a Dark Daughter" (midi) - Shades of Black

Willie Cornish Jr.

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