In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Robert L. Morris

Robert L. Morris

b. 1941

Robert L. Morris, a well-published American composer and arranger, was Director of Choral Activities at Macalester. He holds degrees from DePaul University, Indiana University, and The University of Iowa. Based upon his work as a choral arranger for the late Duke Ellington, Morris was called upon to be part of an institute entitled Jazz: the Rediscovery of African American Authenticity. He traveled to Cuba from 1994-1996, where he made presentations and led performances and discussions of African American religious music as part of a conference entitled Culture and Social Transformation: The Cuban and the African American, involving most major Cuban universities. Morris was founder and artistic director of the Leigh Morris Chorale, a Twin Cities-based community chorale whose “informances” educated audiences about African American classical and written choral music traditions. His SATB choral works greatly exemplify the electrifying southern gospel and spiritual traditions. Additionally, Morris’s music has been performed and recorded by the Minnesota Chorale, Moses Hogan Singers. Dale Warland Singers, and VocalEssence. He currently resides in Chicago.

Suggested Choral Pieces:

1. Children, Go Where I Send Thee (Alliance Music Publishing AMP 0347)  
2. Rockin’ Jerusalem (Walton Music WDW1014) 
3. I Thank You, Jesus (Shawnee Press)