Wade in the Water: African American Sacred Music Traditions
name: label: Collection Collector
content: Maltsby, Portia
label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Program in African American Culture
setName: label: See more items in
content: Program in African American Culture Collection
label: See more items in
content: Program in African American Culture Collection / Series 1: Program Files
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1997-11
container: label: Container
content: Box 25, Folder 9
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: In conjunction with the exhibition, the National Museum of American History presented a series of public programs celebrating the living musical heritage of America's African American churches. "Wade in the Water: African American Sacred Music Traditions" was organized and circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services. The programs stretched over various days in the months of October, November, and December, and they included concerts, a roundtable discussion, demonstrations, and a panel discussion. They were typically held in the Carmichael Auditorium or the Hall of Musical Instruments, National Museum of American History, or in the Baird Auditorium, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. 

Participants included:

Opening Celebration

Niani Kilkenny, Director, Program in African American Culture

Spencer R. Crew, Ph.D., Director, National Museum of American History

Aaronetta Pierce, National Director for the Arts, The Links, Incorporated

Margaret Batchelor White, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Washington, DC - Maryland -Virginia Cluster, The Links Incorporated

Lonnie Bunch, Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs, NMAH

Bernice Johnson Reagon, Curator Emerita, NMAH

Howard University Concert Choir, J. Weldon Norris, Director

October Events

Sacred Music Concert, October 17, 1997

"No Compromise" Ensemble
Lloyd Jones co-director
Margaret Jones co-director
Matthew Jones 
Betty Sawyers 
Carol Phillips
Charles Phillips Jr. 
Marcia Bradley
Carl Booknight
Gloria Booknight
Donyell Tibbs

Gospel Radio Roundtable, October 29, 1997

Ray Edwards, WOL-AM
Patrick Ellis, WHUR-FM
J.C. Alexander, WYCB-AM
Robin Breedon, WPGC-AM
Jacquie Gales Webb, WHUR-FM, moderator

Noontime Concert, October 31, 1997

Archbishop John Carroll High School Choir, Ruth Jones, director


November Events

Ministers of Music Symposium, November 1, 1997

Metropolitan Baptist Church, Thomas Tyler, director
Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ Senior Choir, Alece Morgan, director
Holy Comforter - St. Cyprian Catholic Church, Kenneth Louis, director
Evelyn Simpson Curenton, moderator

Noontime Concert, November 6, 1997

Robert Sims, Chicago baritone

Sacred Song Institute, November 8, 1997

United Prayer Bands of Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC
Morgan State University Choir, Dr. Nathan Carter, director
St. Augustine Catholic Church Gospel Choir, Valeria Foster, director

Evening Concert, November 8, 1997

Morgan State University Choir, Dr. Nathan Carter, director
St. Augustine Catholic Church Gospel Choir, Valeria Foster, director
Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, NMAH curator emeritus

Noontime Concert, November 10, 1997

"Pure in Heart," Trenillo Walters, director

Noontime Concert, November 11, 1997

"In Process…", an a capella ensemble

Noontime Concert, November 13, 1997

Bladensburg High School Concert Choir, Gwendolyn Jenifer, director

Noontime Concert, November 18, 1997

Eleanor Roosevelt High School Gospel Choir, Dr. Barbara W. Baker, director

Sacred Music Concert, November 19, 1997

Virginia State University Choir, Johnella L. Edmonds, director

Sacred Music Concert, November 21, 1997

Chancel Choir, Stephen Gibson, director

Sacred Music Concert, November 22, 1997

"Sargent Gospel-Aires," "Timbrel," and "EMI" musical ensembles
Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church, Marilyn Gross, director

Sacred Music Concert, October 29, 1997

African American Harp Ensemble, Annetta Williams-Harrod, director
Praise and Worship Ministry, First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Maryland, Doretha McDaniel, director

December Events

Noontime Concert, December 1, 1997

Dunbar High School Concert Choir, Anita Jones, director

Noontime Concert, December 3, 1997

Duke Ellington High School Show Choir, Samuel Bonds, director

Noontime Concert, December 4, 1997

High Point High School Concert Choir, Ned Lewis, director

Program number AC408.102.