Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are hubs of musical ingenuity with strong reputations, robust histories, and distinct traditions that reflect the history and culture of the innumerable musicians who have passed through their gates. In this panel, we explore the complex, innovative world of HBCU music programs with legendary choral and band directors. The contributions of these musical leaders continued the legacy of building strong positive images of HBCUs, promoting institutional unity and pride, and undergirding the financial health of their institutions, following the model originally established by the Fisk Jubilee Singers in 1871. As a collaborative effort between the Gertrude Robinson Network and the Atlanta University Center’s Robert W. Woodruff Library, this panel centers the experiences of HBCU musical leaders as they share insight into their journeys and the music programs they led, affirming the historical and present-day significance of music and leaders of the HBCU tradition.
