Hosted earlier this year by distinguished visiting faculty member Denyce Graves, this concert commemorates the 90th anniversary of a concert—organized by Black Juilliard students and curated by renowned composer H.T. Burleigh—celebrating the work of Black artists and composers. "Claiming Your Space" revisits works from the 1934 program alongside world-premiere student compositions that were commissioned for the present occasion.

The groundbreaking 1934 concert, called "The Negro in Music", featured notable Juilliard students including Anne Wiggins Brown and Ruby Elzy, who would originate the roles of Bess and Serena in the world premiere of Gershwin’s "Porgy and Bess" the next year.

"Claiming Your Space: A Celebration of Black Music at Juilliard" was curated by Juilliard faculty member Fredara Mareva Hadley and presented to a sold-out crowd in February, as part of Juilliard’s Arts and Society Series. 

Juilliard’s creative enterprise programming, including the Creative Associates program, is generously supported by Jody and John Arnhold and the Arnhold Foundation.

KEEP ME FROM SINKING DOWN
By Carl Diton
Aaron Paterson, Organ

YOU ASK IF I LOVE YOU
By H.T. Burleigh
Jasmin Ward, Soprano
Amber Scherer, Piano

TIDE
By H.T. Burleigh
Jazmine Saunders, Soprano
Amber Scherer, Piano

JUBA DANCE
From In the Bottoms Suite
By R. Nathaniel Dett
Ruogu Wen, Piano
Arayah Lyte, Dancer

MY LADY
From Two Songs
By Samuel Coleridge Taylor
Jasmin Ward, Soprano
Amber Scherer, Piano

AFRICAN DANCE NO. 2
From Four African Dances, Op. 58
By Samuel Coleridge Taylor
Dylan Hamme, Violin
Ruogu Wen, Piano
Morgan Scott, Actor

CABIN BOY (Mississippi Boat Song)
Traditional
Arranged by Willis Laurence James
Jazmine Saunders, Soprano
Amber Scherer, Piano

SYLVESTER’S DYING BED
World premiere composition
By Christopher Armstrong
Jasmin Ward, Soprano
Amber Scherer, Piano

CITY CALLED HEAVEN
Spiritual
Arranged by Hall Johnson
Jasmin Ward, Soprano
Amber Scherer, Piano

SCANDALIZE MY NAME
Traditional
Arranged by H.T. Burleigh
Naomi Steele, Mezzo-Soprano
Amber Scherer, Piano

WERE YOU THERE?
Spiritual
Arranged by H.T. Burleigh
Jazmine Saunders, Soprano
Jasmin Ward, Soprano
Naomi Steele, Mezzo-Soprano
Amber Scherer, Piano

LET THE SUN SHINE ON ME
World premiere composition
By Danae Venson
Dylan Hamme, Violin
Ruogu Wen, Piano
Aaron Patterson, Organ

SINNER, PLEASE DON'T LET THIS HARVEST PASS
World premiere arrangement
Spiritual
Arranged by Damien Sneed
Jazmine Saunders, Soprano
Jasmin Ward, Soprano
Naomi Steele, Mezzo-Soprano
Damien Sneed, Piano