HOUSTON — There was an extraordinary celebration of culture, history, and unity during “Jubilee Weekend 2025: Voices Unshaken.”
The event blended music, education, and community engagement in a powerful tribute to Black heritage and
resilience.
The festivities commenced on Thursday, February 6, with the arrival of the Grammy Award-winning Fisk Jubilee Singers. A special welcome dinner, hosted by Dr. Linda Brown Coleman, an alumna of Fisk University, honored the new director, Dr. G. Preston Wilson, and the new department head, Dr. Cordelia Anderson. Among the esteemed guests were Dr. A. Jan Taylor (retired director of choral activities at Prairie View A&M University), Dr. Joli Rocke (adjunct vocal lecturer, Prairie View A&M University), Dr. Demetrius Robinson (director of choral activities at Prairie View A&M University), and Mr. Ashton Jones (director of choral activities at Texas Southern University). These guests shared their personal journeys with the current Jubilee Singers, offering insights into their careers and providing invaluable guidance as the students navigate their academic and artistic paths. Additionally, the evening served as a networking opportunity for Drs. Anderson and Wilson as they embarked on their new leadership roles.
On Friday, the Jubilee Singers led a choral master class at Benjamin O. Davis High School, where students from six Aldine ISD campuses participated in the learning experience. Under the direction of Dr. G. Preston Wilson, students were not only guided in technical instruction but were also deeply moved and inspired by the Singers’ dedication to preserving the legacy of Black composers and traditional spirituals. The session also served as a student recruitment initiative for the Houston Fisk Alumni Association (HFAA), encouraging young talent to consider Fisk University for their academic and musical aspirations.
At the conclusion of the class, Compudopt gifted each Jubilee Singer a brand-new personal laptop, ensuring they could continue their academic and musical pursuits while traveling. The day also featured a three-course luncheon prepared by the student chefs in the Davis High School culinary department. The evening concluded with a free community concert at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. Marcus Cosby, senior pastor and Fisk Jubilee Singer alumnus, also serves as a university board member. Co-hosted by the historic Jack and Jill Houston Chapter, the performance left attendees in awe, setting the stage for an unforgettable weekend.
On Saturday, Houston experienced “Voices Unshaken: An Evening of Legacy and Liberation,” an event sponsored by Christ Church Cathedral, the Houston Area Urban League, and the Houston Fisk Alumni Association (HFAA). This powerful concert featured the renowned Jubilee Singers alongside Houston’s own Scott Joplin Orchestra, paying tribute to Absalom Jones, the first Black priest in the Episcopal Church, and Margaret Skidmore, a late Christ Church parishioner, the great-great-granddaughter of General Clinton B. Fisk, and an advocate for fine arts and community inclusion during her career at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). The program showcased a repertoire spanning the rich history of Black composers, demonstrating the enduring excellence of Black music in both song and orchestral performance.
This event not only celebrated the legacy of Fisk University and the Jubilee Singers but also ensured that the voices of Black composers and artists continue to be uplifted and heard.
