African American Sacred Music in Catholic Worship
By Kevin P. Johnson D.M.A.
(Article: Page
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Conclusion
The Black Catholic Church of the twenty-first century
is very different from the Church of Clarence Rivers, Thea Bowman, Leon Roberts
and other Black Catholic musical pioneers. Their work provided the leadership and
vision necessary to define the parameters and possibilities for African American
music in the Catholic Church.
Cyprian Davis comments in his essay “Speaking the
Truth”:…African Americans have profoundly changed liturgical music.
On the other hand, African American Catholic musicians have also added to the scope
and breadth of African American sacred music. Far too often Black Catholics found
themselves singing the songs of Zion in a foreign land. With hesitation and with
effort did we take down our harps to sing a new song. And then we realized that
it was no longer a foreign land and no longer a strange song. The former things
had passed away.
While the musical groundwork has been laid for the musicians of this new millennium, much is still left to do. The work of creating African American Catholic sacred music is not complete. We must continue to add to the stores of African American sacred church written for Catholic worship. Black composers must continue to compose music for use in the liturgy that meets the challenge of the new millennium to serve diverse congregations. Publications such as, The Lead Me Guide Me Hymnal will continue to be written as a testament to the progress and evolution of African American Catholics.
African American liturgy has touched the hearts of many worshippers both black and white and African American parishes have benefited from the universal appeal of its music and worship style. Yet, the quality and authenticity of black Catholic liturgical music must never be compromised in order to serve multicultural and or majority non-Black congregations. As the Church becomes more universal, African American Catholic liturgy must emerge as a soulful combination of traditional African American and Catholic liturgical musics. This can only be accomplished by renewed efforts to train young musicians in the ways of black Catholic worship and pastoral commitment to hire qualified professionals to lead music ministries.
Author biography and contact information
Dr. Kevin P. Johnson is an Associate Professor of Music
and chairman of the Department of Music at Spelman College where his teaching opportunities
include the Spelman College Glee Club and Chamber Singers, choral conducting and literature,
music technology, and several courses relating to general music education. His church work
currently includes: director for the Archbishop Lyke Memorial Mass Choir
(Archdiocesan Choir in Atlanta), director of the Atlanta Catholic Inspirational Choir
(choral tour of Italy, Summer 2007) and Minister of Music at Our Lady of
Lourdes Catholic Church in Atlanta, Georgia for the past seven years.
He is married to Celeste and has three children, Ryan, Sarah and Kevin.
The whole family is currently engaged in music ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes.
Johnson earned bachelors and master’s degrees in music
from California State University, Los Angeles and a doctoral degree from the
University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He taught choral and
general music in high schools in Los Angeles for ten years, and has worked as
Director of Music at Catholic churches for more than thirty years. Dr. Johnson
is an active conductor/clinician for school honor choruses throughout the United States,
and is often invited to provide choral workshops and retreats for music educators
and churches. He serves as music director for local, regional and national conferences
and events year round.
Johnson is a choral arranger and composer with works published
by Colla Voce, GIA Publications and Treble Clef Press. Dr. Johnson and his wife Celeste
founded Lion and Lamb Publishing where many of his works are published. He is a member
of the American Society of Composers and Publishers as well as an active member of the
American Choral Directors Association. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society,
and has been the recipient of several musical honors and awards nationwide.
Most recently, Dr. Johnson served as music director for the
National Black Catholic Congress X in Buffalo, NY. Where he presented his new
African American Sacred Music for Catholic Worship Series entitled, Psalms for the Church Year,
Volumes I, II, and III, to an audience of over 3000.
Dr. Johnson can be reached on 404-270-5480,
email kjohns10@spelman.edu or at
www.lionandlambpublishing.com.
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