Laura Sam
Comparable to a traditional hand-pieced quilt, “Songs of My America” warmly wrapped the audience with intricate blocks of song cycles, gospel songs, and spirituals, artfully stitched together by Ms. Gillian Fields, soprano, and Mr. Robert Brewer, collaborative accompanist, joined by the Voices of Oak City Choir, directed by Ms. Fields. Each quilt block represented the musical genres significant to Ms. Fields, giving voice to her musical heritage.
The audience was kindly greeted and guided to the sanctuary by Oak City Baptist Church members, and was given a gracious welcome by Chiquita F. Douglas who then served as emcee for the evening. Expert technical support was provided by the church’s media team enhancing the program through video projection, sound, and lighting designs. Celebrating the church’s rich history of 159 years, “Songs of My America” was the first event of the Oak City Baptist Church’s Homecoming season.
Ms. Fields opened the program with Frontier Songs by David Ashley White. Using traditional text and tunes that were well-known to nineteenth-century American settlers and still familiar today, these three pieces, “Come Pure Hearts, “Where, O Where?,” and “Promised Land,” showcased Gillian’s classical training with expansive range, challenging melodic contours, and complex rhythms. Each piece was distinctively expressed by Ms. Field’s powerful vocal presence and Mr. Brewer’s beautifully phrased accompaniment. The give and take between the vocal and piano lines created interest – at times playful, and always a delight. The strong musical connection between Ms. Fields and Mr. Brewer was clearly apparent as they moved expressively through the song cycle.
Part 1 of a video presentation was then shared, detailing Ms. Fields’ creative process of “Approaching music through a classical perspective but also from an African American point of view.” Early musical influences of home and church were noted by Ms. Fields as foundational to her development as a musician. She credits her classical training in both piano and voice throughout her formative educational experiences as providing varied music-making opportunities and preparing her for collegiate and graduate studies in music.
The program continued with a vibrant, multi-pieced quilt block – the exuberant singing of the Voices of Oak City Choir. Directed by Ms. Fields and accompanied by accomplished musicians Rev. Cassandra Stone (keyboard), Mr. Tony McFarland (lead guitar), Mr. Clyde O’Neal (bass guitar), and Mr. William Winters (drums), the choir opened with “Excellent is Your Name.” Using both the power of unison singing and the sonority of gospel harmonies, the choir sang and moved in sync with both the music and one another, continuing with “Sweet Aroma of Praise,” and “Jesus Brought Me Out.” Although all three songs were in the traditional gospel style, each piece was given a unique interpretation that engaged the audience as evidenced by the many who sang, swayed, and clapped along. The choir’s high-energy sound, expertly guided by Ms. Fields, was both uplifting and jubilant. The accompanying musicians shone in their own right, creating a spirited accompaniment that was a perfect complement to the choir.
Part 2 of the video presentation further shared Ms. Fields’ perspective as a self-described Black, operatic, classical musician. “Classical music is not grounded in the Black experience, but we, as artists, composers, and poets, have had a strong influence and impact on the classical genre.” In addition to programming classical song cycles, Ms. Fields includes gospel music because it is her church musical home, and explains that she ends her recitals with spirituals because, “I want to pay homage to the Black experience in this country because spirituals speak to our journey of freedom, our journey of acceptance, and our journey of wanting to be seen and heard.”
The song cycle, Songs of the Seasons, with music by Margaret Bonds and poetry by Langston Hughes, exemplified the artistic impact of Black composers and poets on classical music that Ms. Fields spoke of in her video presentation. Ms. Fields sang with profound connection to the text, effectively intertwining the poetry and music with thoughtful attention, while Mr. Brewer accompanied with exquisite nuance. Ms. Fields and Mr. Brewer together conveyed the contrasting mood and drama of each song: the sultry “Poème d’ Automne,” the shimmering “Winter Moon,” the cheerful “Young Love in Spring,” and the bluesy “Summer Storm.”
The set of traditional spirituals to which Ms. Fields expressed a deep connection, concluded the program with “His Name So Sweet,” “Give Me Jesus,” and “Witness,” arranged by Hall Johnson, and “You Can Tell the World,” arranged by Margaret Bonds. Performed with passion and conviction, the storytelling of each song and creative energy of both Ms. Fields and Mr. Brewer compelled the audience to listen attentively to each note and word.
Wrapping the audience in warmth and beauty, the vibrant musical quilt crafted by Ms. Gillian Fields created a captivating musical experience, well-deserving of the standing ovation enthusiastically given by the audience at the conclusion of “Songs of My America.”
