Past Symposia
The University of Arkansas Black Music Symposium is the University of Arkansas' Annual conference dedicated to educating and exposing the community to the music contributions of Black Americans. This year’s theme, “Lest our Feet Stray,” invokes a spirit of remembrance of Black music genres that were integral to the survival of Black Americans during slavery, the Jim Crow south, and the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout the week, there will be lectures that support the theme exploring the ways in which Gospel music and Black Art Song are related to the experiences of Black musicians as well as social movements. Evening concerts include an organ recital by world renown organist and Director of Chapel Music at Yale University, Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs. The week will also feature performances by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, performances by tenor Dr. Albert R Lee, of Yale University, our own Soprano Dr. Lenora Green Turner. The event will close with a community workshop and concert with Grammy-winning Gospel artist, Kurt Carr. Supported by generous funding from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and the Alice L. Walton Foundation, this event has proven to be a major boon for the arts at the University of Arkansas and to Northwest Arkansas