Historic Choral Collaboration: Harvard Glee Club Joins Fisk Jubilee Singers in Nashville

The recent collaboration between the Harvard Glee Club and the Fisk Jubilee Singers marks a significant moment in collegiate music history. Both ensembles are celebrated as some of the oldest and most distinguished choirs in the United States, with Harvard's roots tracing back to 1858 and Fisk's originating in 1871. While the Glee Club helped popularize choir music at American universities, Fisk Jubilee Singers are renowned for their role in preserving African American spirituals.

For most of their storied existence, these two choirs never shared the same stage until this past spring. According to Andrew Clark, the director of choral activities at Harvard, this longstanding separation felt like an overlooked opportunity. Clark remarked, “These are two of the oldest choirs in the United States, and two choirs that have a bit of historical significance, but they’ve never performed together.” This collaboration sought to rectify that omission.

The culmination of their efforts was a two-day event at Fisk University in Nashville, where the choirs convened during the Glee Club's southern tour. The schedule allowed both groups to rehearse together, fostering a deeper musical connection. G. Preston Wilson Jr., the director of the Jubilee Singers, expressed the enrichment gained from such interactions. He noted that the typical tour schedule often restricts the musicians' ability to engage authentically, but this collaboration provided vital moments for connection outside of performance.

Wilson emphasized, “We don’t get to exist as musicians together... That’s what makes our performances meaningful.” The artists were given the chance to share meals and converse, reinforcing the communal spirit that enhances their art. A memorable highlight was the choral share, in which each ensemble conducted sessions for the other, bridging stylistic influences and enriching their understanding.

During some informal exchanges, attendees noted the unique ensemble dynamic among the Fisk singers, who often sing without a formal conductor or accompaniment. College sophomore Preston McNulty Socha highlighted the deep rapport among the Jubilee Singers, saying, “They’re so deeply connected to each other,” noting that each member acts as both soloist and collaborator simultaneously. He described their rehearsals as a transformative experience, shifting his perspective on what it means to sing within an ensemble.

The concert, held at Spero Dei Church, demonstrated the fruits of this collaboration with both groups performing individual pieces and then coming together for two joint performances: “Witness,” a spiritual arrangement by Jack Halloran, and “Due Glory,” composed by Braxton Shelley, a Yale professor and former Harvard instructor. Shelley joined the performance, enriching the experience further with a personal touch alongside Wilson, who had a dual role as a performer and as a Jubilee Singers alumnus.

In the spirit of education and heritage, Wilson expressed a desire to elevate the profile of the Jubilee Singers beyond classroom knowledge, saying, “I want to ensure that people know who the Jubilee Singers are in perpetuity.” He encouraged the audience to visit Fisk's campus, learn about its history, and witness the talents of the Singers firsthand. This collaboration with Harvard is seen as a pivotal step in broadening recognition for the Jubilee Singers.

This performance exemplifies a larger trend as the Harvard Glee Club has engaged in various collaborations with prominent historically black colleges and universities in recent years. In 2022, for example, they partnered with the Aeolians of Oakwood University in a festival weekend that celebrated musical diversity.

Looking ahead, Clark hopes to facilitate future interactions, such as a week-long residency for the Jubilee Singers at Harvard, similar to past exchanges. Wilson is enthusiastic at the prospect, declaring, “Send the invitation and the welcome wagon, and I’ll be up there.” Such eagerness signals the potential for continued collaborative growth between these storied institutions.