Brooksie E. Harrington

Dr. Harrington's lecture focuses upon the aesthetics of African American Gospel Music as represented through the element of the "seam." Specifically, it takes an in-depth look at the lives and the music of noted North Carolinian gospel greats such as Durham's Rev. Shirley Caesar and “The Nightingales.” (Because of the influence of African American Gospel Music, attention will be given to the music of Southern Gospel Music's icon, Mr. William [Bill] Gaither.) Also the lecture provides inroads into the music of lesser known greats such as Rocky Mount natives F. C. Barnes and his son, Luther Barnes, Jr., and the presence of this genre within the University of North Carolina Consortium--UNC's The Black Student Movement Gospel Choir, founded in part Ms. Francine Randolph, Lucy Shropshire and Renee’ Ray in the early 70’s,all of whom were pianists. This ever-present seam creates an inseparable bond between the music and the musician, while simultaneously establishing a dialogue with the listener. Further, it provides a glimpse into African-American biography, religion, history, culture, and related experience that tremendously impinged upon the final aesthetic product.

Biography
Music, for me, is a family affair. While it might sound trite to strangers, the reality of my words is known to the Rockingham community. My father, J. Stancil Harrington, and his friends established the Golden Harps, a gospel quartet, while students at Leak Street Colored High School. Even on limited means, my parents made certain that piano lessons were provided to all of their children. While my brother Cliff and sister Kathi chose other careers, for me music became a vocation.

Before matriculating at UNC-CH, I studied music for ten years, playing music that transcended genres. Ironically enough, my tenure as student pianist for UNC’s BSM Gospel Choir, marked my foray into African American Gospel Music. Although I received my undergraduate degree in English/Speech, I continued to study music with such esteemed musical theorists as Ms. Martha Flowers, honored by The Ohio State University for her work in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. The culmination of my experience with African American Gospel within the confines of academia occurred when writing my dissertation, whose focus was the work and biography of Rev. Shirley Caesar. During that time, I toured with her and gained invaluable access to the spiritual and secular worlds of gospel music. My dissertation turned book--Shirley Caesar: A Woman of Words is currently housed in the Schomburg Library. My additional research in the field of African American Gospel operates on several levels. Combining the traditions of Folklore and African American Gospel Music, I co-produced the original CD for North Carolina State University’s 2004 documentary on Princeville entitled: Princeville Remembers the Flood. With Dr. Paul Lovejoy, Director of the York University Harriet Tubman Resource Center on the African Diaspora, I am engaged in a collaborative effort to internationalize African American Gospel Music within the academic world. Presently, we are establishing on-line a gospel center focusing on this genre's role in world aesthetics. Mostly recently, I participated in the 2006 HBCU Gospel Music Legacy Tour that was orchestrated by Ms. Laura Archibald of Toronto, Canada. The show featured performances by Rev. Caesar and the respective university gospel choirs and lectures by yours truly. My latest and most promising project is my text, tentatively entitled: The Aesthetics of African American Gospel Music, which will be published, ultimately, by the University of South Carolina Press.

For more information, please visit: http://faculty.uncfsu.edu/ bharrington/