Jessye Norman. Singer - ACE163.5

Washington Monument. Norman singing Oh, Freedom with Howard University Music Class of ’66. Talking about this reunion. Practise sessions at the University. Photographs of Norman’s class. Meeting old friends. Singing. Dr Doris McGinty, Music History Teacher, says that there was a general expectation that Norman would be successful, but that she herself was less certain; talks about her voice teacher, Caroline Grant. Norman says she had always sung. Master class: Norman answers a question about being nervous. Student Corinthia Cromwell asks why Norman chose classical music: Norman answers she has no talent as a jazz singer. She wonders if she might have turned out differently had she had more exposure to such music early on. Cromwell thinks she is drawn to jazz because of it being an American art form deriving from black culture; Norman agrees but is concerned that this could mean that she herself might not be considered capable of singing Schubert or Wagner. Norman talking about first hearing classical music on the radio, and listening to Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. Student Mark Seabrooks asks about going to Europe. Norman points out that it’s not Utopia and going there won’t help him avoid racial prejudice. Norman remembers her father saying that black people had to work twice as hard as whites to be successful and accepted.