The Shawn E. Okpebholo Collection of Spirituals
Volume 1
Contents:
Balm in Gilead (for baritone, flute, and piano)
Wade in the Water (for baritone and piano)
Deep River (for baritone and piano)
Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray / Standin’ in the Need of Prayer (for baritone, flute, and piano)
Great Day (for baritone and piano)
I Want to Die Easy When I Die / Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and piano)
Were You There? (for baritone and piano)
Lord, I Want to be a Christian / Give Me Jesus (for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and piano)
Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit (for baritone, viola, and piano)
Steal Away (for baritone and piano)
Oh, Freedom (for baritone and piano)
The Shawn E. Okpebholo Collection of Spirituals, Volume 1 marks the composer’s first set of reimagined spirituals, breathing new life into this treasured tradition. Written for baritone Will Liverman, mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, pianist Paul Sánchez, flutist Caen Thomason-Redus, and violist Dorthy White Okpebholo—this collection captures both the deep reverence and contemporary resonance of these enduring songs. The works are featured on Okpebholo’s debut solo album, Steal Away.