Margaret Bonds - "The Bells" (Dr. Samantha Ege) | Oct 26th

Margaret Bonds was a composer and teacher from Chicago, U.S.A. who was one of the first nationally recognised Black composers and musicians. She was well connected with many other Black composers and artists including Langston Hughes, Will Marion Cook and Florence Price. Here, her composition "The Bells" is performed by Dr. Samantha Ege who is world-renowned for performing the works of women composers including Florence Price and Vítězslava Kaprálová.

Ideas for discussion questions:

1. What does this piece remind you of?

2. What barriers might Margaret Bonds have faced as a Black woman in the U.S.A. in the mid 20th century?

3. How can you tell this is a spiritual?

4. How does Dr. Samantha Ege use dynamics in this performance?