African American Sacred Music
Exploring the Music of the Black Church and its Reach to the World
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Beyond the pulpit and preaching, there is no event that takes place in the Black Church tradition like its music, From its early form as "Plantation Songs" to its current expression as "Contemporary Gospel", African American Sacred Music has been the fuel and engine that has inspired nearly all of the musical genres that can be found in the world of music today.
In this course you will be introduced to an explanation and definition of African American Sacred Music that crosses multiple genres. You will hear explanations of the art form from some of the leading scholars and historians in the country today. In the end, you will be given musical examples and short performances of the legendary craftsmen and craftswomen that have made this style of music the beloved American treasure that it has become.
We invite you to take action right now and enroll in this course that has 20 video lectures that will both inspire and inform you.
Your Instructor
Bishop Lewter holds degrees from Oberlin College, Harvard University and the United Theological Seminary. Over the years, he has created over 50 online courses and have served hundreds of student from all across the country and world. With over 40 years of pastoral experience, Bishop Lewter has combined his practical professional experience with his scholastic experiences to provide students a unique blend of the academy and the church community.
Course Curriculum
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StartSectional Introduction (11:16)
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StartWhat is the Gospel (8:01)
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StartMusic During the Slave Era (6:39)
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StartAfrican American Sacred Music During the First and Second Great Awakening (8:10)
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StartBlack Church Music After the Civil War (7:16)
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StartAfrican American Sacred Music in the 20th Century (6:18)
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StartAfrican American Sacred Music in the 20th Century Continued (3:04)
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StartSectional Introduction to Groups and Artists (11:16)
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StartPlantation Songs and Doctor Watts Hymns (2:33)
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StartEarly Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Dinwiddie Jubilee Quartet (6:58)
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StartNorfolk Jubilee Quartet, Thomas Dorsey and the Golden Gate Quartet (12:23)
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StartRosetta Tharpe and the Dixie Hummingbirds (10:50)
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StartMahalia Jackson (8:40)
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StartSwan Silvertones (1:27)
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StartFive Blind Boys of Mississippi and Alabama (3:34)
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StartThe Staple Singers and James Cleveland (12:08)
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StartJackie Verdell, Brother Joe May and Aretha Franklin
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StartThe Hawkins Singers, Andre Crouch and the Winans (10:29)
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StartYolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin (14:25)