Music In-Person: Negro Spirituals

Songs of the Soul: The History and Power of Negro Spirituals
Four In-Person Sessions
Tue., Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm MT

They are known as Negro Spirituals―the sacred, deeply emotional and religious folk songs created by enslaved Africans in the United States expressing their pain, hope and longing for freedom. Rooted in oral tradition, the songs are influenced by African rhythms and melodies that form the foundation of much of American music. In this class, DU Associate Professor M. Roger Holland examines Negro Spirituals—what they are, their characteristics, their function within the enslaved community, along with the African origins and influences of this music, the middle passage, and the beginning of the slave trade. “Early in the course, we look at the history, African roots and cultural significance of the Spirituals,” Holland says. “We consider how the Spirituals originated during the era of American slavery as expressions of faith, resistance and hope.” He then explores how this music grew in America, along with the various meanings both explicit and encoded within the music. Holland says the lyrics held hidden meanings that sometimes offered instruction for escaping slavery and may also be regarded as songs of resistance. Wade in the Water and Go Down, Moses are prime examples. “There is considerable evidence that spirituals were used as secret codes of communication,” Holland adds. “It’s also interesting to note that the themes of these songs still resonate with various communities today, and the class will discuss the various reasons why that is.” Note: Get in the mood for this class by attending an optional, Spirituals Project Choir concert at DU’s Newman Center on Thursday, February 27 at 7:30 pm. Sign up early; tickets are required and these concerts fill quickly. Visit The Spirituals Project website for tickets.

M. Roger Holland, II is a teaching associate professor in music and religion and director of The Spirituals Project at the DU’s Lamont School of Music, and a contributor to Colorado Public Radio Classical. He holds masters’ degrees from Union Theological Seminary and the Manhattan School of Music. He served as artist-in-residence and director of the Union Gospel Choir for over 13 years. He has played for the Broadway productions of Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple and the Tony award-winning show Memphis.