Old Spirituals and Gospels Set at Wheaton Arts

WheatonArts will present an Old Spirituals and Gospel Concert on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Event Center. The performers are the Whittington Family of Port Norris, NJ and the South Jersey Community Men’s Gospel Choir.
WheatonArts Folklife Center Director, Iveta Pirgova, explains that the origin of spirituals can be traced back to the slavery period of the African Americans who created these remarkable sacred songs. Although numerous rhythmic and sonic elements of the spirituals can be traced to both West African and European sources, they are a musical form that is indigenous and specific to the religious and social experience of African Americans in the United States. Many of the spirituals are performed in a “call and response” singing style that relates them to the work songs of the early 19th century, while others are known to have carried double meanings associated with the Underground Railroad practices.
Pirgova explains, “Spirituals later evolve into a more sophisticated form called Gospel. There are different types and versions of Gospel and many of them utilize choirs, incorporate distinct musical improvisation, with piano and/or Hammond organ, drums, bass guitar or other instrumental accompaniment. Earlier forms of Gospel fuse musical elements of both the spirituals and the blues while its more recent developments incorporate elements of Hip Hop, R and B, or Rap. Spirituals and Gospel not only reflect religious, aesthetic and social values of the community, but also have significant impact on other musical genres and have become an integral part of the American musical heritage and cultural identity.”
The Whittington Family of Port Norris, NJ. Folklorist and author Dr. Rita Moonsammy of Tabernacle, NJ, states, “Whittington’s history and artistry are rooted in a community story that is not well-known outside the maritime towns of the Mid Atlantic region. They have been a significant force in passing on the tradition of singing a cappella spirituals that have been important to the African American communities of oyster shuckers in such towns as Crisfield, MD, and Port Norris, NJ. While these songs are staples of African American churches, they hold additional meaning for oyster shuckers as the music of the workplace. The incorporation of the spirituals into the workplace occurred partly because shuckers work in different styles and at different paces. They were paid either by the pound or gallon, and so each one attempted to go as fast as he or she could. Singing the spirituals helped them keep up their own pace by keeping up their spirits. As Beryl Whittington describes it, ‘One guy over there, say, would start up singing and then up and down the way the others would pick it up. It would help you keep going when you were tired or discouraged.’ Whittington and his children have contributed to preserving their heritage within the community and educating the public in a number of ways.”
Every year, the family performs at the Bay Days Festival in Port Norris, where audience members often join in with the singing. For his contributions to the local culture and traditions, Whittington was recognized in 2008 by the Bayshore Discovery Project with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
South Jersey Community Men’s Gospel Choir. According to group member Barry Ballard, “The growing need for men to become more involved as role models in their churches and communities as well as my love for Gospel music inspired me to work toward establishing a South Jersey Community Men’s Gospel Choir. Currently, the choir has 66 members who represent 18 various churches in the South Jersey community. Our goal is to be more than a group of singers. We currently visit hospitals, nursing homes, and veteran’s homes to spread God’s Word and to comfort and support those who are shut-in and are less fortunate than some of us. At this time, most of the music for the SJCMGC is what is referred to as traditional “Black Gospel” music. This is, generally speaking, a compilation of improvised hymns (Jesus the Light of the World, O Come All Ye Faithful), and revamped Negro Spirituals (Ride on, King Jesus). Some of our musicians are also writing compositions for the choir. This type of music leans heavily on strong vocals, call and response, and hand-clapping. While a cappella music can be included in this genre, we typically rely on the familiar sounds of the Hammond organ, piano and/or keyboards, lead and bass guitars, drums, and a saxophone.”
A State of the Arts NJ video about these groups is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjQh3CbZqcw. Concert ticket prices: Adults $10.00; WheatonArts Members $9.00; and at the door $15.00. Children 12 and under are free but require a ticket. Call 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, extension 100, to order tickets or for more information visit www.wheatonarts.org.
The Folklife program at WheatonArts has provided multicultural, multigenerational programs and educational resources since 1995, engaging and serving over 53 ethnic and cultural groups throughout South Jersey.
WheatonArts is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December 31, 2012. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $10.00, $9.00 Senior Adults and $7.00 Students. Children five and under are free. All children 17 and under are admitted free on Sundays through December 18, 2011. (WheatonArts received a PNC Arts Alive grant by The PNC Foundation. Through this grant WheatonArts offers free admission to all children 17 and under every Sunday through December 30.) Free to shop and stroll. For more information about WheatonArts, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.
WheatonArts strives to make exhibits, events and programs accessible to all visitors. Provide two weeks notice for additional needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711. Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State. Additional funding provided through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.