Mickey Thomas Terry
Mickey Thomas Terry
Courtesy of the artist

In Black and White #0106

The work of African-American organ composers is a powerfully compelling story in music and on our next Pipedreams broadcast we’ll explore its diverse nature. With performer and commentator Mickey Thomas Terry, we’ll visit the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Saint Patrick’s Church, and the National Presbyterian Church, all located in Washington, DC. Here we’ll listen to largely unknown creations by Thomas Kerr, William Cooper, Noel DaCosta, George Walker and Eugene Hancock. We’re highlighting music for organ with African percussion, and organ solo settings of African-American spirituals, music for church services, and pieces for the concert hall. It’s a multi-faceted discovery, spelled out In Black and White the African-American organ art, this week on Pipedreams.

THOMAS KERR: Selections from Suite Sebastienne: Theme & Cantus; Frolicking Flutes; Reverie for Strings; Procession of the GargoylesMickey Thomas Terry (1964 Möller; 2001 Goulding & Wood/National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC) Pipedreams Archive recording

EUGENE HANCOCK: Sometimes, I feel like a motherless child.

WILLIAM B. COOPER: 2 Pieces: Toccatina; PastoraleMickey Thomas Terry (1970 Aeolian-Skinner/National Presbyterian, Washington, DC) Pipedreams Archive recording

NOEL DaCOSTA: Generata for Organ and Strings [1958]; Ukom Memory for Organ and Percussion [1981]; Spiritual Set [1974] –Newman Baker & Dill McDaniel, percussion; Lorna McDaniel (1979 Rieger/First Unitarian, Wilmington, DE) Adama LP-001

NOEL DaCOSTA: Triptich [1973] –Mickey Thomas Terry (1994 Lively-Fulcher/St. Patrick RCC, Washington, DC) Pipedreams Archive recording

GEORGE WALKER: 3 Pieces: Elevation; Jesu, wir sind hier; InvokationMickey Thomas Terry (1970 Aeolian-Skinner/National Presbyterian, Washington, DC) Albany TROY136

EUGENE HANCOCK: 5 Spirituals: We are climbing Jacob’s ladder; Swing low, sweet chariot; Go, tell it on the mountain; My Lord, what a morning!; Joshua fought the Battle of Jericho –Robert Scoggin (1958 Möller+Sipe rebuild/Christ UMC, Rochester, MN) Pipedreams PD CD-1002