Community Corner
Marian Catholic High Holds First Black History Month Concert
Claire Jakubisin, Choir Director at Marian Catholic brings spirituals as Chamber, Concert, Spartan and Marian Varsity Choirs perform.
When Claire Jakubisin was hired as the choir director at Marian Catholic six years ago, one of her goals was bringing all types of music to the school.
On February 26th, one of her goals was complete as Marian Catholic held their first Black History Month Concert.
" As we studied our Black History Month music, we learned not only about how spirituals affected the African slaves, but we also learned about the poet Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance" explains Jakubisin. "There is are so many life and musical lessons to learn and appreciate from music that is historical, especially music from the African American culture."
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"It is important to sing music from specific time periods because it helps a student to have an appreciation of how we got to the music of today. Music from other time periods also gives insight into the emotions and experiences that people had during that time' she added.
One of the most famous spirituals includes "Swing low, sweet chariot," composed by a Wallis Willis was sung by the Marian Catholic Chamber Choir. Spirituals are Christian songs that were created by African Americans. Spirituals were originally an oral tradition that spoke of Christian values while also describing the hardships of slavery."
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" I loved all the songs that we performed but, I was especially happy with the performance of the piece "Soon ah will be done" by William Dawson" said Jakubisin.
One of the top moments of the evening, was the solo part of He Never Failed Me Yet, sung by Marian Catholic choir member Talia Warr. She brought the style and tradition of the old Spirituals. As an example, in the eighteenth century at camp meetings, participants would sing, chant and dance. Spirituals most often come from the "ring shout," a shuffling circular dance to chanting and handclapping that was common among early plantation slaves.
Marian Catholic Choirs will have their final concert of the season on May 7th at 7 PM. It is free admission and will be held inside Croarkin Theatre at Marian Catholic High School.
