“I’LL BE SOMEWHERE LISTENING FOR MY NAME”: WINGS OVER JORDAN CHOIR, THE SPIRITUALS, AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR by Mary Dobbin Williams

The choir Wings Over Jordan made numerous contributions to choral music using the spirituals. The transmission of spirituals that began within the institution of slavery were adapted for demonstrations and marches during the Civil Rights Movement. The songs were created to illuminate political, social and cultural environmental messages. The recognition of this choir resulted in music recordings, USO tours during World War II, as well as other international performances. The choir performed weekly on the “Negro Hour” over radio station WGAR in Cleveland, Ohio. Check out this Master’s Thesis!