Published on
June 16, 2020
Video length
38 mins
Listen to this March 11, 2020, conversation between Uzee Brown, Jr., legendary composer and educator, and John D. Witvliet, held during a visit to Calvin University.

10 Video Clips 

Below are video clips (link on each title) from the half-hour conversation, highlighting key periods in the formation and life of Dr. Uzee Brown. Dr. Brown joined the faculty in 1973 and currently serves as Chair of the Division of Creative and Performing Arts at Morehouse College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College, a Master of Music in Composition from Bowling Green State University, and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan.

He has received numerous composition and arranging commissions ranging from National Public Radio and the Atlanta Symphony to colleges, universities, church and civic organizations, and his compositions have been heard throughout the world, including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. His engagements include master classes, workshops and recitals of African-American music from work songs and spirituals to art songs. Additionally, Dr. Brown served for several years as the director of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir.

1. Influence of Wendell P. Whalum

2. Growing up in Cowpens, South Carolina

3. Arranging Spirituals Well

  • On the importance of arranging a spiritual so that it brings the multi-layered text to life.

4. Lesser Known Spirituals

5. Uzee Brown Society of Choraliers

6. Music and the Church

  • The unique gifts of music in the church and the role of music in the worship experience.

7. GIA Publications, Inc. and Accessibility

8. Prophetic Words for Today’s Morehouse Students

  • Dr. Uzee Brown challenges current Morehouse College students about creating or working for something that has a greater global impact on spirituality and a cultural unity. Learn more about Morehouse College.

9. We Shall Overcome with Atlanta Symphony

10. Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Family

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