Rosephanye Powell facts for kids

Dr. Rosephanye Powell (born in 1962) is a famous American musician. She is a composer, singer, professor, and conductor. Many people say she is one of the best choral music composers in America. Choral music is music written for a group of singers, like a choir. Dr. Powell's music is published by several big companies. She is currently a special professor at Auburn University in Alabama.

Early Life and Education

Rosephanye Dunn Powell was born in Lanett, Alabama. When she was a child, she learned to play the piano and saxophone. She also loved to sing in choirs. In 1980, she graduated from West Point High School as the top student.

Dr. Powell first received a scholarship to play basketball at Alabama State University. However, she soon realized she wanted to focus on music. She earned her first degree in Music Education from Alabama State University in 1984. She then continued her studies. She earned a master's degree in vocal performance from Westminster Choir College in 1987. Later, she received her Doctor of Music degree in vocal performance from The Florida State University in 1993.

Dr. Powell is married to William C. Powell, who is also a choral conductor. They have two daughters.

Music Career and Achievements

Before becoming a well-known composer, Dr. Powell performed many songs. She especially focused on the works of William Grant Still. She also loved to perform African-American spirituals. Spirituals are a type of religious folk song. Dr. Powell even helped edit a book about William Grant Still's songs.

She also had a weekly radio show called Living History. On this show, she talked about Black music and history. Dr. Powell has taught music at different universities. She taught at Philander Smith College and Georgia Southern University. Today, she is a professor of voice at Auburn University.

In 2009, Dr. Powell received the Living Legend Award. This award was given to her at a music festival in Los Angeles. She has also been recognized in important publications. These include Who Is Who in Choral Music and Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

In 2011, Dr. Powell and her husband worked together. They edited a collection of twelve spirituals. These songs were arranged for treble voices, which are higher singing voices. The collection was published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Powell has also written articles for music magazines. These include Showchoir and Choral Journal.

Composing Music

Dr. Powell writes many different kinds of songs. Her compositions include sacred (religious) and secular (non-religious) works. She writes for mixed choirs, women's choirs, men's choirs, and children's choirs. Her music often has beautiful melodies and strong rhythms. She uses rich harmonies, which are often inspired by African-American music styles.

In 2010, one of her longer works, Christmas Give, was featured on a CD. This CD was called "Christmas at America's First Cathedral." It featured the Baltimore Choral Arts and orchestra. In 2014, her first major sacred work premiered. This piece, "The Cry of Jeremiah," was for chorus, organ, and orchestra. It was performed at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.

Dr. Powell's music is popular all over the world. It is especially loved in Europe and Asia. Many famous conductors have performed her works.

Selected Works

Here are some of the songs Dr. Rosephanye Powell has published:

• The word was God (1996)
• I wanna be ready (1996/2004)
• Wait on the Lord (1997)
• Ascribe to the Lord (1998, 2001)
• Kingston Market (1999)
• Wade in the water (2000)
• Come let's celebrate (2000)
• Grumble Too Much (2000)
• Three psalms of David (2000)
  • O God, you are my God
  • Make Haste, O God
  • The Righteous Cry Out
• The promise lives on (2000)
• Drinkin' of the wine (2002)
• Sorida (2002)
• Non nobis domine (2002)
• Gloria (2002)
• I Dream A World (2002)
• Sometimes I feel like a motherless child (2003)
• Sing unto the Lord (2003)
• Good news! (2003)
• Children of the rainbow (2005)
• Pete, pete (2005)
• Sicut cervus (2004)
• Still I rise (2005)
• As the deer pants (2006)
• Ev'ry time I feel the spirit (2006)
• Gwendete (2006)
• Come unto me all ye that labour (2006)
• Rejoice! (2007)
• He is marvelous (2007)
• Glory Hallelujah to duh newborn King (2007)
• Solidaridad (2008)
• Hope come true, a suite of songs (2008)
  • In dat great giddin' up mo'nin
  • Hope Come True
  • Keep Yo' Lamps
  • To Sit and Dream (text by Langston Hughes)
• Christmas give, a suite of six songs (2010)
  • Have you seen the baby Jesus
  • Christmas Memories
  • Ring the Bells
  • Holy Night
  • Ogo ni fun Oluwa
  • Christus Natus Est (text by Countee Cullen)
• Be glad in the Lord (2009)
• Spirituals for upper voices (2011)
• Down by the riverside (2011)
• The Cry of Jeremiah (2012)
  • Is not his word like a fire
  • O Lord, you have deceived me
  • Cursed be the day
  • Hallelujah!
• Phenomenally woven (2016)

Recordings of Her Music

Dr. Powell's music has been recorded on several CDs:

• Still I Rise (2006)
• Motherless Child (2009)
• Christmas at America's First Cathedral (2010)
• We Who Make Our Meaning Clear (2010)
• REFLECTIONS: Portraits from the Life of Christ (2010)

See also

In Spanish: Rosephanye Powell para niños