Fisk Jubilee Singers And Their Songs

Northern Advocate, 16 June 1947, Page 2

Fisk Jubilee Singers And Their Songs

Though negro spirituals retain their charm and spell today, and though younger generations are aware that the pioneers in this realm of music were the Jubilee Singers, there are few who know much about the singers and their songs.

For that reason an address given by Mrs W. Philpotl to the Whangarei League of Mothers at their June meeting was of a decidedly educational character.

The original Jubilee Singers the speaker said, did not come to New Zealand. They • were a company of emancipated slaves who raised 100,000 dollars to build the university in which they were students.

Because of the colour bar, they had to travel by night, and were many times turned out of hotels, hut eventually. so great was their appeal that they broke down the caste spirit. Prejudice vanished under the spell of their beautiful singing FOR EMANCIPATION The university was named after Clinton Fisk, the great general who worked for the emancipation of the slaves. Thirteen" of the students formed the first choir, and such was their success that at last they were allowed to sing in the same hotels as the whites, and when an invitation came to visit England, they were offered reduced passages. They had breakfast with the Prime Minister and sang before the Queen of England.

They sang before crowded audiences, and tributes were paid to them by the heads of universities. Beautiful renderings of the negro spirituals were given by Mesdames W. Robertson and W. Burns. Mrs Burns was also accompanist. The president. Mrs Tudehope, thanked speaker and singers.

The hostesses Were Mesdames A. S. Rarity. C. F. Chcesman and D. Wise.