Rosephanye Powell

Quiet Revolutionary

Quiet Revolutionary, for SATB, divisi with piano is in three short movements. This six-minute piece is in celebration of Dr. Eileen Southern, author of The Music of Black Americans: A History, Dr. Samuel A Floyd, Jr., respected author and founder of the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College, titled his essay Eileen Jackson Southern: Quiet Revolutionary. The composer says, In 'Quiet Revolutionary,' I sought to depict Dr. Southern's delicate state of bliss through jazz harmonies, sparse accompaniment, and simplicity of form, lyrics, dynamics, melody, and rhythms. The piano introduction depicts Dr. Southern quietly at work, unaware of the passage of time. A great honoring the legacy of a Black female scholar and musician.