Aug 28 - Nov 13
School of Filmmaking Symposium
School of Filmmaking: Symposium

The School of Filmmaking's "Symposium" series opens a door into the world behind the screen, offering audiences a chance to engage with filmmakers, artists and creative thinkers from myriad disciplines who are shaping contemporary storytelling. Through screenings, conversations and engaging dialogue, each event becomes a unique space to come together and explore how art is made, why it matters and what it reveals about the world we live in.

Sep 29 - Oct 3
Fall Dance
Fall Dance

The past and present collide as the School of Dance opens its performance season with a dynamic exploration of movement across generations. Contemporary dancers take center stage to perform works shaped by shared training, mentorship and creative exchange.

29
Sep
Joshua Rupley
Pianist Joshua Rupley in Recital

Hear the piano in conversation across time as Joshua Rupley returns to UNCSA for a residency and solo recital, tracing an arc through the piano's evolution. The program envelops the lyrical depth and clarity of Franz Schubert, the sweeping emotional intensity and structural weight of Johannes Brahms and the contemporary voice of Andrew Hirschfeld. Together, these composers guide audiences from romantic depth to modern exploration, revealing how the piano transforms through eras. Rupley is an award-winning performer and educator. A prizewinner of the Jackie McGehee Young Artists Competition and the Olga Kern International Piano Competition, he appears regularly in recital and is a dedicated advocate for contemporary music and new works. He currently teaches at the Leopold Mozart College of Music at the University of Augsburg.

Oct 1-8
Runied
"Ruined" by Lynn Nottage

Amid the upheaval of civil war in Congo, Pulitzer Prize-winning "Ruined" follows the formidable Mama Nadi, whose bar becomes a haven for women marked by violence, loss and survival. She must skillfully navigate violent power struggles while protecting those who rely on her courage and cunning.

3
Oct
Ksenija Komljenović
Percussionist Ksenija Komljenović in Recital

Engage your imagination and enjoy a bold exploration of sound and identity as faculty artist Ksenija Komljenović presents a solo recital of newly created works. New works by European composers Bartek Miler, Ana Krstajić and Miloš Branisavljević highlight rhythmic precision, tonal color and expressive range. Rooted in Komljenović's heritage, the music draws on a wide spectrum of influences -- folk traditions, blues, jazz, film scoring, and video games -- blending them into a contemporary musical language shaped by agility and invention.

4
Oct
UNCSA Improvised Music and Jazz Studio Fall Showcase
UNCSA Improvised Music and Jazz Studio Fall Showcase

A night of spontaneity, groove and creative risk unfolds as the UNCSA Improvised Music and Jazz Studio presents a smooth showcase of sound. Student performers explore a wide range of jazz and improvised traditions, from structured charts to fully open-ended creation - highlighting individual voice, ensemble listening and real-time musical decision-making.

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Black Sacred Music Symposium XIX – FELLOWSHIP

March 19-22, 2026
University of North Carolina School of the Arts

 
 

The Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) are pleased to host the second regional gathering for the celebrated Black Sacred Music Symposium.

The XIX Symposium, taking place from March 19-22, is an opportunity for anyone with a passion for and interest in choral music, specifically black sacred music, to learn about and perform the music from visiting instructors, some of the nation’s most talented performing artists, and scholars. A culminating concert, which is open to the public, featuring Symposium attendees along with local and national guest artists, will take place on March 22 at 3:00 p.m. in the Gerald Freedman Theatre at UNCSA

Founded in 1991 by Dr. Ollie Watts Davis, each Black Sacred Music Symposium is centered around a theme that reflects the transformative power of Black sacred music. This year, we embrace FELLOWSHIP—a recognition of the enduring strength of this music as a source of support, resilience, and faith through difficult times. In an era of global uncertainty, we come together to find solace, joy, and unity through song.

Symposium XIX provides an enriching opportunity for choral directors, music educators, students, and community members to deepen their understanding of Black sacred music traditions. Participants will engage in group instruction, music rehearsals, and plenary sessions led by a distinguished faculty of Grammy-nominated artists, scholars, and esteemed educators.

Sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including the historical development of Black sacred music, choral conducting techniques, vocal and instrumental instruction, and the evolution of gospel and spiritual traditions.

Additional presenting partners for the Black Sacred Music Symposium XIX include Building Bridges Through Song, Delta Arts Center, Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Winston-Salem State University, and the City of Winston-Salem.

Read about the 2024 Black Sacred Music Symposium XVII – HAVEN.

Black Sacred Music Symposium -  Conference

Thursday, March 19, 2026 - Sunday, March, 22, 2026
ACE Main Theater (Thursday), Film Scoring Stage (Friday/Saturday), UNCSA
Individual Registration: $35
Groups Registration (10-15 per group): $325

Symposium Registration: $35

Participants in the Black Sacred Music Symposium will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and performance of the music as well as reach a deeper understanding of its message. Attendees learn from distinguished guest artists and perform with them in the culminating concert. Seminar topics range from the history and development of African American sacred music traditions, including congregational singing, folk and concert spirituals, metered and improvised hymns, anthems, and traditional and contemporary gospel expressions to choral conducting and vocal and instrumental techniques. 

For the 2026 symposium, the guest artists include Dr. Ollie Watts Davis, UNCSA Dean of Dance Endalyn Taylor Outlaw, Berris Bolton, Rev. Dr. K. Edward Copeland, Walter Owens, Jr., Quandra Clark, Dr. Myron D. Brown, D’Walla Simmons-Burke, Ashley M. Davis, Charity Davis, Jasmin D. Henderson, Reginald E. Payne II, Ciobhan Dunn, Darren Warren, Nicholas Pickett and Joshuah Brian Campbell.

Conference Schedule

Thursday, March 19
5 PM - Registration Check In
6 PM - Opening Ceremony
6:20 PM - Plenary Session I
7:30 PM - Combined Rehearsal
9 PM - Instrumentalists' Rehearsal

Friday, March 20
5 PM - Registration Check In
6 PM - Combined Choir Review I
6:15 PM - Plenary Session II
7:15 PM - Plenary Session III
8 PM - Combined Choir Rehearsal
9:30 PM - Instrumentalists' Rehearsal

Saturyday, March 21
9:30 AM - Instrumentalists' Rehearsal
11:30 AM - Combined Choir Review II
11:45 AM - Plenary Session IV
12:45 PM - Break
1:30 PM - Combined Rehearsal/Dress Rehearsal
3:30 PM - Closing Session
4:15 PM - FELLOWSHIP Reception

Sunday, March 22
12 Noon - Technical Rehearsal
3 PM - Black Sacred Music Symposium XIX Concert
5 PM - FELLOWSHIP Reception

The community concert on Sunday, March 22, is included with your Symposium registration.

Please register by Sunday, March 15, to ensure your spot. For groups, please register (10-15 people) by March 11.

Black Sacred Music Symposium - Concert

Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. | Reception Following
Gerald Freedman Theatre, UNCSA

Attendees of the conference are not required to perform in the concert, but those interested can take part in a powerful and unforgettable performance. Conversely, the general public who do not take part in the conference are welcome to attend the concert. 

Concert Tickets: $20

Concert Program
 
"Amazing Grace" arr. Robert T. Gibson
"Come Sunday" from “Black, Brown, and Beige” – Duke Ellington
"Stand Up" by Joshuah Campbell and Cynthia Erivo
“Lift Every Voice and Sing" arr. Roland Carter
— Pause —
Congregational Singing
Recognitions & Legacy Tribute
Maestro Richard Smallwood Celebration Medley
Symposium Faculty Artist Presentations
Remarks
Blessing (2018) - Dr. Ollie Watts Davis

Program subject to change

 

FAQs

How can I register for the symposium?

You may register for the symposium online here.

Can I register a group online?

Yes, the registration form includes an option for group registrations. There is a flat fee of $325 for 10 to 15 people. The deadline for group registrations is March 11, 2026.

Will session or day passes be available for purchase?

No.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards.

How can I be certain that you have received my online registration?

If you entered an email address when you registered, you will receive an email acknowledgment within 30 minutes of submitting your registration.

Where do I pick up my registration materials when I arrive?

When you arrive, our greeters will direct you to the registration tables at the BB&T Lobby of the Ace Theater Complex.

Will lunch be provided on Saturday, March 21?

No, lunch will not be provided.

Are all buildings wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all buildings are wheelchair accessible. Please be sure to include accessibility needs when making your registration.

Is there an official social media hashtag?

Yes! #BSMSXIX and #BSMS2026