Updated September 23, 2021
Recognizing that Canadian Art Song Project has not programmed, commissioned or recorded any works by Black Canadian composers since our founding in 2011, I took time to explore some of the song repertoire that we have overlooked. I thought it might be useful for CASP to share what we have learned with other artists, teachers and those curious about the Canadian art song repertoire.
In truth, I have had difficulty finding song repertoire by Black Canadian composers. There are likely a number of reasons for this, including ongoing systemic discrimination towards people of colour in classical music globally, including in Canada. Additionally, this kind of search requires individuals to publicly self-identify as a member of the Black community, as this information has not historically been gathered and published in Canada.
A quick search of the Canadian Music Centre’s website and online database brings up only one Black composer: Oscar Peterson. It is important to note that the CMC relies on composers to apply to become associate composers in order to be listed. When searching for Black Canadian musicians in the Canadian Encyclopedia website, the only composer listed is Nathaniel Dett.
Nathaniel Dett, celebrated Canadian-American composer
Nathaniel Dett (1882 – 1943) is probably Canada’s most celebrated Black composer of art music to date. I didn’t realize the extent of Dett’s piano / vocal repertoire, as I am most familiar with his choral works and was aware of some of his compositions for piano. But in conversation with Darryl Taylor, African American countertenor and founder of the African American Art Song Alliance, I was directed to an extensive listing of Dett’s compositions through the U.S. Library of Congress. I also found an extensive listing here, which includes almost 20 songs for voice and piano.
In further discussion with Taylor, I was introduced to Maria Thompson Corley. Dr. Corley is a Jamaican-born Canadian who is now based in the U.S. She was raised in Alberta and received both Masters and Doctorate degrees in piano performance from the Juilliard School. In addition to her performing she is a commissioned composer and arranger with works for solo voice / piano and chorus. Her works are best obtained by contacting her directly through her website: www.mariacorley.com.
Soprano Chantale Nurse brought my attention to a couple of other composers of song. Among them are conductor and composer Ted Runcie (b. 1970). Runcie was born in Jamaica and then moved to Toronto with his family when he was young. He studied composition and conducting at McGill University and has written several instrumental and choral works. Although much smaller in scope, Runcie does have some songs written for voice and piano and he has mentioned that he intends to write more. He currently resides and works in Taiwan.
David Bontemps (b. 1978) is a Haitian-born pianist and composer who has been based in Montréal since 2002. David has a number of works for voice and piano and his scores can be found through his website.
Rich Coburn is a freelance pianist, vocal coach, organist, arranger, and composer. He is a founding member of the vocal chamber ensemble Quintus 4. He also trains freelancers to improve their negotiation and communication. Rich recently founded BIPOC Voices, a developing online library of music for instruments and voice by BIPOC/IBPOC composers. He has written a well-crafted set of three songs.
Another wonderful addition to this group of art song composers is world class pianist Stewart Goodyear (b. 1978). His song compositions include settings of texts by Dorothy Parker and were premiered as part of a digital program at Tulsa Opera.
Two other composers who, to my knowledge, have not written for solo voice, but may be interested in future collaborations or commissions:
David Eastmond (b. 1981) holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Toronto, where he focused on clarinet, music education, composition and French language studies. He was a student of clarinet with Peter Stoll and of composition with Chan Ka Nin, John Hawkins, and Christos Hatzis.
Corie Rose Soumah (b. 1996) received a bachelor degree in composition at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal where she studied with composers Jimmie Leblanc and Nicolas Gilbert. Among many other recognitions, she is a prize winner of the 2019 SOCAN Foundation Awards for Young Composers.
Larry Strachan (b. 1970) is the founder of Chamber Orchestra Without Borders Inc. and the Artistic Director, Chamber Orchestra MUSAIC. He pursued his undergraduate studies at University of Manitoba and a Master of Music in Conducting at Shenandoah Conservatory. Strachan’s solo vocal works include a number of art songs, including ‘Black Woman’, ‘Ask Me No More’ and ‘Broken Appointment’. He is best contacted through email.
This is by no means an exhaustive search for all self-identified Canadian Black composers, but I hope that this is a start for those looking to amplify one segment of the underrepresented voices in the art song repertoire.
Please contact CASP if you know of other composers who should be added to this list or if you want to be in touch with us regarding this topic.
Lawrence Wiliford
Co-Artistic Director of Canadian Art Song Project
Good day Mr. Wiliford,
My name is Larry Strachan and I would like to add my name to your list of Canadian Black composers of art song! I was born, raised and continue to live in Winnipeg. How was I made aware of your project? Well, I have recently become a member of the CMC’s Accountability for Change Council (ACC) and Holly Nimmons sent me a preliminary version of the resources page for the ACC webpage. In the Black music section Holly listed your website and I immediately jumped on it….I was amazed! I knew about Nathaniel Dett (saw a performance of ‘The Ordering of Moses’ at Carnegie Hall in 2014) and Maria Corley (used her Naxos recording w. Darryl Taylor during a history of Black composers presentation) and everyone knows Goodyear, but I was completely unaware of the others on that list, although I seem to recall having come across Corie Soumah’s name on some random search. Such accomplished people….congratulations on putting this list together. Sometimes you think know everyone that’s out there, and then “boom”, you learn about all of these other artists.
Like Mr. Runcie, I was born in 1970….on June 8, a date I share with Schumann. I didn’t realize this till much later, after I had already written a number of songs! I’m actually having a piece performed by the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra this coming March. With regard to songs I wrote my first one during my undergrad studies. I used poetry my friends had written for my first handful….I had success with ‘Ask Me No More’ by Tennyson….I performed it a number of times…Prof. Karen Jenson (University of Manitoba) liked it so much I know she gave it to other voice students to perform at local festivals. A recorded performance of it also made it to the local CBC radio Sunday afternoon show ‘Arts Encounters’. During that same recorded performance I debuted “Black Woman” which I believe to be among my best. I won’t ramble on too much here but the last song I wrote was for my son a couple years ago, ‘Hey Black Child’ by…well, I thought it was Countee Cullen but now it’s apparently someone else (Useni Perkins?). Anyway, if you’re on LinkedIn on my page I did include a performance of my song for tenor to a poem by Thomas Hardy, ‘A Broken Appointment’.
Cheers and take care…continue on with the great work!