In this month’s issue we take an UpClose look at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), more specifically, their music programs, by learning about what’s happening in music at Jackson State University in Mississippi.
Why are we doing this? SBO+ readers, many of whom are music educators, play a critical role in guiding their students who may want to participate, or major in music in college. HBCUs are often overlooked as students and parents consider their choices. Perhaps if they knew that HBCU graduates generally had less student debt than their counterparts graduating from predominantly white institutions, they would feel differently!
Also, many students, families, and teachers simply don’t know much about HBCUs or what they think they know may be incorrect.
First, a look at the background. HBCUs are institutions established prior to 1964 with the principal mission of educating Black Americans. These institutions were founded and developed in an environment of legal segregation and, by providing access to higher education, they contributed substantially to the progress Black Americans made in improving their status. Even after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, HBCUs have played a huge role in educating students of all racial and ethnic groups, including the Vice-President of the United States!
There are currently about 100 HBCUs, with an even split between private non-profit and public institutions.
An interesting historical fact is that during the 1930s and 1940s, many Jewish university professors fled Europe and had their academic credentials revoked by fascist regimes. A large percentage of them found teaching positions in HBCUs.
Let’s explore a few common misperceptions about HBCUs.
Myth: HBCU music programs are pretty much all about marching band.
Fact: While marching band plays a large role in some HBCUs, many of them don’t have a marching program. Those that do often have robust and excellent wind ensemble, orchestra, choral, and jazz groups as well.
Myth: HBCUs are for African-American/Black students only.
Fact: Although HBCUs were originally founded to educate Black students, in 2022, non-Black students made up 24 percent of the enrollment at HBCUs.
Myth: White students will feel out of place at an HBCU.
Fact: HBCUs frequently rank very high in surveys measuring an inclusive and diverse campus environment. Female enrollment at HBCUs was 64 percent in 2022.
With about 100 HBCUs, why focus on Jackson State University?
About 20 years ago, a group of HBCU directors formed the HBCU National Band Directors Consortium to ensure the health and growth of ensembles other than their marching bands. They have held an annual convention featuring all-star concert bands, jazz bands, and chamber groups and in 2016 I was the conductor/clinician for the top collegiate honor band. This was a superb group who worked hard, but one group of students seemed to stand out for their professionalism and work ethic – Jackson State University. During that week, I heard their wind ensemble perform and they displayed a wonderful musicality. I approached their director, Prof. Lowell Hollinger, for a chat and we have been friends ever since and I have been honored to be his conducting coach and mentor.
In 2023, their wind ensemble was invited to perform the feature concert for the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, the first HBCU to ever receive that invitation. I advised Prof. Hollinger on his program and travelled to JSU to hear and coach the ensemble. Even though they were in the middle of a highly demanding marching band season and were preparing for a Super Bowl performance, this ensemble played with nuance and great musicality. As I walked around the building I heard fabulous singers, skilled jazz artists, and fine string players. Many (most?) of them were not music majors but there was clearly great music being made at “Jax State.” Let’s learn more about it as SBO+ goes “UpClose.”
JSUms.edu/music
