A Joyful Noise: Gospel and the Black Female Voice

Note: This event is now sold out. To put your name on the waiting list, please email courses@vam.ac.uk including the event title in your email.

The role of Gospel music has arguably set the vocal standard within contemporary music in the West. As such, Gospel has steered us from worship for the Lord to the melody, music, and unsanctified world of the pop charts.

We celebrate and explore the role of non-secular and secular songs in establishing shared perceptions of vocal excellence. Of feeling. Of meaning. Of faith. Of love. Of the Lord. Of the self. We ask what is the toll paid when a vocalist takes the journey from the altar, from praise, and God-fearing households to music stardom? What happens when you 'leave' the church with the voice you developed there? How do you perform and balance the duty for both?

Detailed programme will be available shortly.