UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The College of Arts and Architecture's School of Music will present the 2026 African American Music Festival on Tuesday, March 3. This year’s theme, "Sisters in Song: Revolutionary Works of Black Women," centers the transformative contributions of Black women composers, arrangers, songwriters, and performers whose artistry has shaped, and continues to shape, American music.
Designed as a one-day celebration of scholarship, pedagogy and performance, the festival affirms a powerful truth: Black women are not peripheral figures in American music, they are central to its evolution. The 2026 festival situates their contributions not as an addendum to history, but as foundational to classical, gospel, jazz, popular and sacred traditions.
The day will begin with a lecture by Khyle Wooten, assistant professor of music performance and director of choral activities at Ithaca College, examining the legacy of Black women in American music. In the afternoon, Penn State alumna Kiena Williams, class of 2014, will lead a masterclass exploring culturally grounded vocal techniques supporting healthy and expressive singing in gospel and spiritual traditions.
The festival will culminate in two concerts in the School of Music Recital Hall. The afternoon concert, "Sisters in Song," features Penn State students and faculty performing works by influential Black women across genres. The evening concert, "Powerful Powell," highlights the groundbreaking choral music of Rosephanye Powell, the most widely published Black woman choral composer, including selections from "Cry of Jeremiah" and "Quiet Revolutionary."
March 3 holds special significance as the birthday of Margaret Bonds, the pioneering composer whose work bridged classical music, Black literary traditions, and social activism. Held during Women’s History Month, the festival underscores the urgency of recognizing and celebrating Black women’s leadership in American music.
Arreon A. Harley-Emerson, festival director and director of Essence of Joy, emphasized the deeper purpose behind this year’s theme:
“This festival is about more than representation; it is about recalibration. Black women have long been architects of American sound, shaping its aesthetics, institutions, and movements. 'Sisters in Song' invites us to listen differently, to center the voices that have too often been marginalized, and to recognize that the revolution in American music has frequently been written, sung and led by Black women.”
Ann Marie Stanley, director of the Penn State School of Music, noted the festival’s alignment with the school’s artistic and educational mission.
“The African American Music Festival exemplifies the School of Music’s commitment to artistic excellence, historical integrity, and meaningful engagement," Stanley said. "By centering the work of Black women, this year’s festival expands our understanding of American music and affirms our responsibility as educators and artists to honor the voices that shape our cultural landscape.”
The 2026 African American Music Festival welcomes participation from students, faculty, alumni and members of the broader community. Admission is free with additional information available through the Penn State School of Music website.