Black Sacred Music Symposium XIX – FELLOWSHIP

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

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. 

Distinguished artists who honor the Black Sacred Music traditions with achievements in the arts, education, and ministry make up the teaching faculty. 

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.

Symposium Registration: $35

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.

See FAQ for group sales and detailed schedule.

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

Symposium 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

Founded in 1991 by Dr. Ollie Watts Davis, the Black Sacred Music Symposium is a four-day national conference dedicated to the study of the sacred music traditions of Black Americans. It has sustained a 35-year uninterrupted legacy of presentation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The Black Sacred Music Symposium provides participants with viable methods necessary to expand both their performance of the music and understanding of its message. Participants learn from distinguished faculty and perform with them in concert. 

Seminar topics include the history and development of African American sacred music traditions: congregational singing; folk and concert spirituals; metered and improvised hymns; anthems; and traditional and contemporary gospel expressions; as well as solo singing, choral ensemble, instrumental accompanying, and conducting techniques. 

The conference structure consists of plenary addresses, presentations and panels sessions; evening rehearsals and interludes led by guest artists; and lightning talks and testimonials from scholars who are actively engaged through research, service, and practice.

Conference

• Thursday, March 19 from 5-6 p.m. | Check In
• Thursday, March 19 from 6-10 p.m. | Symposium & Rehearsal
• Friday, March 20 from 5-6 p.m. | Check-In
• Friday, March 20 from 6-10 p.m. | Symposium & Rehearsal
• Saturday, March 21 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Symposium & Rehearsal
• Saturday, March 21 at 4 p.m. | Symposium Reception
• Sunday, March 22 at 1 p.m. | Technical Rehearsal
• Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m. | Combined Choir & Dance Rehearsal

Concert

• Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m.
• Post-concert community reception to follow.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts
1533 S Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27127

ACE Main Theater
Film Scoring Stage
The Gerald Freedman Theatre

Conference registration is $35 per person.  
Individual registrations should be made by March 15, and group registrations by March 11 to ensure participation.

You may register for the symposium online here.

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.

No.

There is no late registration fee. Participants registered after March 15 (or March 11 for groups) are not guaranteed access to all events.

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

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

Yes, the registration portal will remain open after the March 15 deadline as space allows. Concert participation and registration are not guaranteed when registered after that date.

Conference check-in will take place in the BB&T lobby of the Ace Theater complex on Thursday, March 19th from 5-6pm and Friday, March 20th from 5-6pm.

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

• Premiere instruction by world-renowned faculty and gospel artists
• Nightly choir rehearsal and networking opportunities
• Plenary sessions
• Symposium swag bag which includes: All-access conference pass, lanyard, conference bag, and more.

There are many restaurants near the UNCSA campus. See this website for a listing of the restaurants.

There is also a cafetria and other food options available on campus in the Hanes Student Commons.