Gospel/Spirituals

Music that explores themes of Christian belief and biblical history, and is popular among black and whites alike. Their renditions may differ significantly, in keeping with the cultural/stylistic traits of blues and old-time coun¬try/bluegrass, respectively. Early African American spirituals, church hymnody, and blues formed the basis for the rise of gospel music in the 1930s. Sacred music has many stylistic variations – 3 and 4 part harmony, shape-note, common meter hymn choir, call-and-response, and praise house are all a part of gospel’s foundation.

Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.

For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.

Title:
Elaborate Dress | Digital Traditions 1
Elaborate Dress | Digital Traditions
Episode 1

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Marlena McGhee Smalls discusses the reason why the singers wear such elaborate clothing while on stage. From "Voices of the Gullah Culture: Hallelujah Singers." WJWJ-TV Beaufort, SC and SCETV, 1993.
Highway to Heaven | Digital Traditions 2
Highway to Heaven | Digital Traditions
Episode 2

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Rosiland (on lead), Trudy Lucas, Bernice Cromwell, and Mary Lucas (l to r) in rehearsal for a perfomance in the Lowcountry.
Glory, Glory | Digital Traditions
Glory, Glory | Digital Traditions

Video

Grades: Higher Education

The Chosen Sisters performing in 1992 at the "Heritage of Song" concert hosted by McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. Co-produced by South Carolina Educational Television.
Lord Search My Heart | Digital Traditions
Lord Search My Heart | Digital Traditions

Video

Grades: Higher Education

The Malloy Family Singers performing in 1992 at the "Heritage of Song" concert hosted by McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. Co-produced by South Carolina Educational Television.
Old Man River | Digital Traditions
Old Man River | Digital Traditions

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Smith singing at the 1988 Harborwalk Festival in Georgetown, SC. Aired on "Midday 5" program with WCSC-TV in Charleston, South Carolina
You Got to Move | Digital Traditions
You Got to Move | Digital Traditions

Video

Grades: Higher Education

The Moving Star Hall Singers performing in 1992 at the "Heritage of Song" concert hosted by McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. Co-produced by South Carolina Educational Television.
A Charge To Keep | Digital Traditions
A Charge To Keep | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

The songs were recorded live, with no microphones in order to enhance a listener’s transportation by the old-style, traditional slave spirituals praising God even though times were dark.
A Reading From Isaiah | Digital Traditions
A Reading From Isaiah | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

One of the services of a week-long tent revival in 1988 in McCormick, SC (McCormick County). The evangelist is Charles Booker Jr. of Johnston, SC (Edgefield County)
All People | Digital Traditions
All People | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

One of the services of a week-long tent revival in 1988 in McCormick, SC (McCormick County). The evangelist is Charles Booker Jr. of Johnston, SC (Edgefield County)
Amazing Grace -5 | Digital Traditions
Amazing Grace -5 | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

This recording consists of songs predominately created, nurtured, and encouraged by Black Americans. "Negro" spirituals are musical derivations of Africanic arts coupled with the love, power, and...
Beulah Land | Digital Traditions
Beulah Land | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

The songs were recorded live, with no microphones in order to enhance a listener’s transportation by the old-style, traditional slave spirituals praising God even though times were dark.*