From Greenfield to Warfield: A survey of African-American concert singers

My father, Henry L. Nettles, is the possessor of a deep, rich bass voice. If given the chance he would have dedicated his life to the world of song. To a certain extent he has. However, he never achieved the acclaim and just rewards a person with his talent truly deserves. To whom do you turn to when you are a teenaged African-American in Hartsville, South Carolina, during the Second World War, seeking a career as a concert singer? Are Marian Anderson, Roland Hayes, and Paul Robeson the only African-Americans involved in concert singing? Were they the first people of color to strive for success in this field? If not, who came before them? Are opportunities available in Europe for people of color as singers? I've no doubt that these and many additional questions plagued my father while he pursued his ambition. They certainly plagued my mind. This work will hopefully shed some light on some of these questions and perhaps, by increasing our awareness, assist in awakening humankind to the true meaning of the arts, a reflection of ourselves.

Name thesis:degree_name

D.M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Music

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Nettles, Darryl Glenn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hill, John W.

• Biography
• History, Black
• Music

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1995 Nettles, Darryl Glenn

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9624448
(UMI)AAI9624448

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/21046