Poster Rosephanye Powell
Rosephanye Powell
Courtesy of the artist
Rhapsody in Black

Rosephanye Powell writes music that touches the heart

Rhapsody in Black - Rosephanye Powell
DOWNLOAD

Composer Rosephanye Powell has created a wealth of wonderful new compositions and has had a distinguished career as a teacher and singer. She graduated with a degree in music education and achieved a master’s and doctorate in music performance.  She researched and gave lecture recitals focused on the works of William Grant Still and African-American Spirituals. It became a powerful influence on her later work. 

Musical selections from Rosephanye Powell

“The Word Was God”

While written in the style of a spiritual, this work is not a spiritual. The layering of sound upon sound creates a musical tapestry that creates an excellent interplay between voices.

“To Sit and Dream”

To sit and dream, to sit and read,

To sit and learn about the world

This song is set to the words from a poem by Langston Hughes that invites us to learn and grow toward dreams of a better world with a more just society.

“When We Sing“

Powell's "When We Sing" was written for Cantus in 2014. It originated from the program Fields of Wonder that took place at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in the spring of 2021.

Credits

Host: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu

Producer: Dan Nass

Writers: Andrea Blain and Scott Blankenship

Additional music selections: Jeffrey Yelverton

Executive Producer: Julie Amacher

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Rhapsody in Black Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Rhapsody in Black Episodes

Black Violin mixes hip-hop and classical to create an unabashedly Black sound
5:00
Meet Vernon Neal, the host of 'Rhapsody in Black'
Duke Ellington defied mid-20th century labels with 'The Queen's Suite'

Duke Ellington defied mid-20th century labels with 'The Queen's Suite'

Pianist, composer and innovator Duke Ellington is famous today for his jazz and swing music. However, he had a few other visions kicking around in his toolbox, including some memorable suites such as ‘The Queen’s Suite.’ Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

5:00
Sly5thAve brings together classical, hip-hop, jazz and more in his innovative arrangements
5:00
'Porgy and Bess' paved the way for integration in opera

'Porgy and Bess' paved the way for integration in opera

From the first performance of ‘Porgy and Bess,’ George Gershwin stipulated the opera had to feature an all-Black cast, not white performers in blackface. This benefitted Black opera singers, but their fear was being typecast. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

5:00
William Dawson's Tuskegee Institute legacy

William Dawson's Tuskegee Institute legacy

When William Dawson was 12, he ran away from home to study music at the Tuskeegee Institute. In 1930, he returned to his roots as director of the Tuskeegee School of Music, a post he held for 25 years. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

5:00
Roberta Flack was the shepherd of a new R&B sound

Roberta Flack was the shepherd of a new R&B sound

Pop artist Roberta Flack, who died Monday at 88, grew up classically trained and continued to love the music, even when revolutionizing the R&B scene. Find out more about her life in this episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

5:00
Billie Holiday and 'Strange Fruit'

Billie Holiday and 'Strange Fruit'

Jazz singer Billie Holiday discovered “Strange Fruit,” Abel Meropol’s protest song against lynching In 1939. It became her closing number at all of her performances at Café Society and the best selling record of her career. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

5:00
Paul Robeson brought spirituals and Black history to the main stage
5:00
Gil Scott-Heron's message for the 1970s — and today
5:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Rhapsody in Black

Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Subscribe to the podcast:  Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicTuneInRSS Feed

About Rhapsody in Black
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00