Pace Jubilee Singers

In 1871, the ancient Hebrew word "Jubilee" was applied to an African-American vocal ensemble by a music teacher at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. The word carried a reference to the freeing of slaves that reached back thousands of years. Touring to raise money for their college, the Fisk Jubilee Singers also established a precedent for the refined, dignified presentation of art songs and spirituals. By the 1920s, the example they set had inspired quite a number of predominately religious ensembles, including the Norfolk Jubilee Quartet, the Dixie Jubilee Singers, the Elkins...