Oral history interview with François Clemmons, 1999 May 29, 2003

Item

Identifier: M450.05.00003

Staff Only

Abstract

François Clemmons recounts how music, especially spirituals, has played a prominent role throughout his life, from singing in church and school assemblies, to the founding of the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble. He describes that while he was trained in classical and operatic music, the Ensemble, founded in 1984, filled a personal need in his life not addressed by his successful concert career. He discusses his views on the difference between spirituals and gospel music, the concertizing of spirituals, and relates some of his teaching experiences at Middlebury College.

Dates

1999 May 29
Issued: 2003

Creator

Clemmons, François (Interviewee, Person)

Digital Repository

Oral history interview with François Clemmons

Biographical / Historical

François Clemmons was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and moved with his family to Youngstown, Ohio, when he was about five years old. He began singing at church and school functions, and earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Oberlin College, and his Master of Fine Arts at Carnegie-Mellon University. He was given the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts in 1996 at Middlebury College in Vermont. As Twilight Artist-In-Residence, he taught music and directed the College Choir. He has enjoyed a successful concert career, and is known his role of "Officer Clemmons" on the television program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood". In 1984 he founded the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble, personally financing its operation while it established itself as a professional group on the concert circuit.