Oral Moses

Style: Opera; Jazz; Gospel; Classical

Title: Professor Emeritus Kennesaw State University

Bio: Oral Moses, bass-baritone performs regularly throughout the United States and Europe singing Oratorio and recitals with special emphasis on a wide variety of Negro Spirituals and Art Song repertoire by African-American composers. He has had numerous successes in Oratorio and Opera performing major roles in Le Nozze di Figaro, Regina, La Boheme, Albert Herring, Tremonisha, Rigoletto, and Die Zauberflöte among many others. Symphonic engagements have included works with the Nashville Symphony, the Jackson Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Tacoma Symphony and the Atlanta symphony. He has toured Eastern Europe, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Berlin singing the role of Porgy in Porgy and Bess. He has recorded several CDs of Art Songs and Spirituals by African-American composers among which is his last CD entitled, “Oral Moses sings…songs of America.“ His CD, “Extreme Spirituals, “ is a collaboration with the controversial eclectic Rock/Classical Band Birdsongs of the Mesozoic on Cuneiform label. In 2001 Albany Records released a collection of spirituals sung a capella entitled, "Spirituals in Zion," which he recorded in the historic Zion Baptist Church built by enslaved African Americans in 1861. As a solo recording artist for Albany Records his premiere CD, “Deep River: Songs and Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh.” is featured in the PBS film documentary, “Antonin Dvorak in America.” His second CD, “Amen! African-American composers of the Twentieth Century," continues to be a best seller on the Albany Record label. He has collaborated with gospel artist, Babbie Mason on the CD/Video project, “Treasured Memories: A Celebration Of Our Gospel Music Heritage,” documenting the rich legacy of Gospel Music. A second CD collaboration entitled, “Third Day Offerings: A Worship Album,” allowed him to record with the contemporary Christian Rock group, “Third Day, “and earned him his first gold record. His most recent contribution to the work of preserving the Negro Spiritual is the website: www.thenegrospiritualinc.com. Born in South Carolina he began his singing career as a member of the United States Seventh Army soldiers Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany and as a member of the famed Fisk Jubilee singers while attending Fisk University following his military career. As a T. J. Watson Fellow he studied in Germany and Austria and upon his return to the United States he earned a Masters of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Vocal Performance and Opera from the University of Michigan. In 1986 as a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant he co-authored a book entitled, “Feel The Spirit-Studies in Nineteenth Century Afro-American Music” published by Greenwood Press. He is a contributing author in both the third edition of, "Notable Black American Women," and the second edition of, “Notable Black American Men,” published by Gale Press. He is a frequent guest lecturer and clinician for Gospel and Spiritual music workshops and conferences. He is retired Professor Emeritus of Voice at Kennesaw State but continues to teach part time for the School of Music. University.

Voice Type: Bass-Baritone

Music Styles Taught: Opera; Jazz; Gospel; Classical

Availability: I am available as a performer; I am currently accepting private students; I am available as a clinician or presenter

Contact Information