Stacey V. Gibbs : Fix Me, Jesus

This concert-styled arrangement of the traditional spiritual carries a plea to be ready for a promising future: Fix me for my long white robe. Fix me for my starry crown. The a cappella setting perfectly balances four-part and divisi voices, making this accessible to many groups.

Arranger: Stacey V. Gibbs

Here is a traditional Xhosa folk song once again authentically arranged by the director of the Pretoria Youth Choir Lhente-Mari Pitout. Created to be sung in the original Xhosa language, an IPA pronunciation guide along with a poetic translation is provided making an authentic performance easy to realize.

Arranger: Lhente-Mari Pitout | Performed By: Exigence

Written in answer to a call for connection in troubled times, this is about persistence, community and moving ahead. The composer reflects on multiple love warriors like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and others and reminds us that all of them started their movements out of the love of their people, not out of the hatred of someone else.

Composer: Melanie DeMore

The Pretoria Youth Choir from South Africa under their director Lhente-Mari Pitout has traveled the world spreading the joy of traditional South African music. Now this music from South Africa finds a new home with the professional choir EXIGENCE featuring music of Black and Latinx composers under the direction of Eugene Rogers. A wonderful recording exposes the complexity and the joy in this exciting music.

Composer: Lhente-Mari Pitout | Performed By: Exigence

Written for Philip Brunelle and Vocal Essence. This beautiful and complex piece asks in longing harmonies Where has love gone? Because it is inhumane to live without love and peace! A timely message beautifully set.

Composer: Jose Galvan | Performed By: VocalEssence

Written as a vehicle to bring the powerful Kwanzaa ceremony to the concert stage with a call to action. The #SayHerName movement resists police brutality against Black women. If you say the name, you're prompted to learn the story, and if you know the story, then you have a broader sense of all the ways Black bodies are made vulnerable to police violence.

Composer: Alysia Lee | Performed By: Exigence

EXIGENCE is a professional vocal ensemble that highlights the artistry within Black and Latinx communities. This choral series builds on this mission by commissioning and seeking Black and Latinx composers. This exciting composition in this first release fuses musical styles that are influenced by South African, Hindu and Eastern European traditions. This is for the very best community and professional choirs.

Composer: Derrick Spiva, Jr. | Performed By: Exigence