Singing the African American Spirituals with Integrity 2026

A workshop for church musicians, clergy, and lay to learn how to introduce African American Spirituals to their choirs and congregations.
About this Event

Singing the African American Spirituals with Integrity

A workshop for clergy, musicians, and congregants

Sat. Nov. 7, 2026 from 2 to 5 pm at Calvary St. Augustine Church
814 N 41 St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

The African American Spirituals have an essential place in American sacred music and continue to move hearts and souls of people around the world. These songs come from a very particular place and time: the communities of enslaved Africans in America during the centuries leading up to the Civil War and emancipation.

But these deeply inspired songs also can be found in our hymnals today for the purpose of being sung by people of all backgrounds. No matter our heritage, can we find a way to sing these songs with integrity?

We approach these songs with a sense that we walk on sacred ground. But can we also see that they were originally sung as a way of reclaiming the common humanity that was denied these singers in bondage? Can we affirm the humanity we share with them by seeing something of our own hopes and struggles in theirs?

This is a "singing" workshop, where four master teachers of the Spirituals will take turns teaching new songs from 2:00-4:00, followed by a worship service of song and praise featuring Philadelphia’s Intermezzo Choir Ministry, now in its 58th season under only its second director, Carrie Lessene.

In addition to Ms. Lessene, songs will be taught by Ruth Naomi Floyd, an internationally acclaimed composer, singer, and teacher; Dr. Jay Fluellen, composer, pianist, and teacher from the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas; and Dr. Thomas Lloyd, conductor, composer, and published scholar from the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral.

To learn more about the Anti-Racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, visit: .