Harriet Tubman Project

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The TCAPS Choral Departments of Central and West High Schools present “The Journey of Harriet Tubman” on Thursday, February 1 at the First Congregational Church at 7:00 PM. This performance will be the culmination event of the 3-day residency with the composer, Ron Kean and filmmaker, Hannah Kean. “The Journey of Harriet Tubman” is a multimedia work featuring familiar African-American Spirituals in the west African music style. The selected Spirituals reflect the life and times of Harriet Tubman with the voice of Harriet being sung by dramatic soprano Vanessa A. Allen, of Grand Rapids, Michigan

In preparation for this 5-movement work, students have spent time learning these beautiful melodies and about how they functioned as a form of communication code. The West African oral traditions of storytelling, recording history, metaphor, and coded message helped the transplanted Africans not only to transcend the despair and pain of their enslavement, but also to preserve their heritage in spite of their oppressed circumstances.While Spirituals have long been a part of the choral repertoire, studying this work along with the story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, has brought new light to the approach of the text and musical elements.

In addition to Central High School’s Chorale and West Senior High’s Chorale and Bel Canto choirs, high school artists will have visual art on display and instrumental ensembles will also be featured.