1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Artwork: "PSALM 85" by John August Swanson
As part of The Abyssinian Baptist Church’s annual Black Music Month Celebration, Psalmody in Color is a weekend-long festival dedicated to exploring and uplifting the psalm settings of Black composers, past and present. Through concerts, lectures, and workshops, the festival highlights the rich sacred music traditions that have shaped worship and cultural life across generations.
Anchored by a concert of psalm-based works, the weekend also includes a full day of educational programming that engages scholars, musicians, clergy, and community members in dialogue about the role of psalmody in Black musical expression. Participants will encounter the psalms as a living and evolving art form—rooted in scripture, shaped by history, and brought to life through the artistry of Black composers.
The Abyssinian Baptist Church and the Calvin O. Butts III Educational and Cultural Center will serve as the convening place for the weekend, grounding the festival in the church’s historic legacy of faith, justice, and music. Together, these spaces provide a setting where sacred artistry, education, and community can intersect to honor the legacy of Black sacred music and inspire future generations.
Join in person or watch via livestream.
